Key takeaways
- The Green visa is a five-year, renewable residence you sponsor yourself; the skilled-worker route still needs a valid UAE employment contract.
- Skilled workers need MOHRE skill level 1, 2 or 3, a bachelor's degree and at least AED 15,000 a month.
- Freelancers need a MOHRE self-employment permit, a degree or specialised diploma and AED 360,000 a year in income, or proof of financial solvency for the stay.
- In Dubai, investors and partners need a paid share of at least AED 1 million.
- Green visa holders and their family members get a 180-day grace period after expiry or cancellation.
Green visa categories and eligibility
ICP lists three Green visa categories. GDRFA Dubai's pages add the Dubai detail, including an investment figure ICP doesn't publish.
| Category | Main conditions | Base permit or document |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled worker | MOHRE skill level 1, 2 or 3; bachelor's degree or equivalent; salary of at least AED 15,000 a month | MOHRE work permit under a valid employment contract |
| Freelancer or self-employed | Bachelor's degree, specialised diploma or equivalent; AED 360,000 a year in each of the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency for the stay (GDRFA Dubai) | MOHRE freelance (self-employment) permit |
| Investor or partner | Paid share of at least AED 1 million in an LLC, joint stock company or other listed company form (GDRFA Dubai) | Trade license and MOA, partnership agreement or investment contract |
Salary and income can be in a foreign currency at the AED equivalent. If you're unsure whether you need a freelance permit or a trade license, read freelance visa vs freelance license in Dubai.
How to apply for a Green visa
- 1. Match your category. Check your salary, freelance income or paid share against the table above.
- 2. Get the base permit. Skilled workers need a MOHRE work permit at level 1 to 3, freelancers a MOHRE self-employment permit, and investors a valid trade license and company documents.
- 3. Prepare the documents. A passport valid for at least 6 months, plus the MOHRE permit or, for investors, the trade license and MOA. Skilled workers at government, semi-government or free zone employers also add the employment contract.
- 4. Apply. In Dubai, apply to GDRFA Dubai online with UAE PASS, at a Customer Happiness Centre or at an Amer centre. Elsewhere, ICP and the emirate's residence authority handle applications, so check the channel for your emirate.
- 5. Enter or change status. From abroad, GDRFA Dubai issues a Green entry visa for skilled workers and investors that lets you stay 60 days from entry while the residence is completed.
GDRFA Dubai's skilled-worker Green visa page says not to cancel your current residence before the green residence permit is issued. In Abu Dhabi, ADDED tells skilled employees to contact their HR team to apply, while the Abu Dhabi Residents Office says nomination requests for this category are currently unavailable there. Both list an attested bachelor's degree.
Green visa fees in Dubai
| Fee item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Residence permit fee | AED 200 |
| Knowledge Dirham | AED 10 |
| Innovation Dirham | AED 10 |
| Applying from inside the UAE | AED 500 |
| Delivery | AED 20 |
These are GDRFA Dubai's published fees at the time of writing. The issuance fee rises by AED 100 a year when the residence runs longer than two years, and a Green entry visa from abroad is AED 200 plus 5% VAT. GDRFA Dubai lists an expected completion time of 48 hours for a complete application.
Family sponsorship and the grace period
ICP says Green visa holders can sponsor their spouse and children under the approved requirements. The UAE government portal lists the family members residents can bring in as a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs, and adds that Green visa holders can also sponsor first-degree relatives. See our family visa service for the documents.
If the residence expires or is cancelled, ICP gives Golden, Green and Blue residence holders and their family members a 180-day grace period. ICP lists 90 days for skilled workers at levels 1 to 3 and property owners, 60 days for permits issued with a guarantor or host, and 30 days for all other categories. After the grace period, a fine of AED 50 a day applies. Our residence visa renewal guide covers renewing on time.
Green visa vs Golden visa
| Feature | Green visa | Golden visa |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 5 years, renewable | 5 or 10 years, depending on the category |
| Sponsor needed | No | No |
| Who qualifies | Skilled workers, freelancers and self-employed people, investors and partners | Investors in public investments or real estate, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, outstanding students, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes |
| Example threshold | AED 15,000 a month salary; AED 360,000 a year freelance income; AED 1 million paid share (Dubai) | Property worth AED 2 million or more at purchase (Dubai Land Department) |
| Grace period | 180 days | 180 days |
| Time outside the UAE | Not listed as a Green visa benefit | Can stay outside longer than the usual six months |
| Family | Spouse and children; first-degree relatives | Spouse and children; the Dubai property route also covers parents |
The Green visa suits people who meet a salary, income or shareholding test. If you meet a Golden route, read golden visa benefits, and business owners can compare every route in visa options for business owners.
We check which route you may qualify for, prepare the documents, submit the application and follow it up. GDRFA Dubai or ICP decides each application. Start with our investor visa service for the Green investor route or our golden visa service.
Sources
- ICP: UAE Green Residency
- GDRFA Dubai: issuing a green residence permit (high skilled worker)
- GDRFA Dubai: green visa issuance (investor/partner)
- ICP: renewal of residency permits (grace periods)
- UAE government portal: Golden visa
- Dubai Land Department: Golden visa for property investors
- Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development: Green visa for skilled employees
Official sources checked on 9 November 2026. This guide explains published rules in plain English and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we check the current position for your case before you act.