The UAE Green Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored residence visa introduced in September 2022 under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022. Unlike a standard employment visa — which is tied to a specific employer — the Green Visa allows eligible residents to sponsor themselves, stay in the UAE without employer sponsorship, and bring their family on their own visa.
It sits between the standard employment visa and the 10-year Golden Visa. You don't need to be an investor or a person of extraordinary talent to qualify — the Green Visa is designed for skilled professionals, qualified freelancers, and self-employed individuals who meet specific income and qualification thresholds.
Who Qualifies for the UAE Green Visa?
The Green Visa has four distinct categories, each with its own eligibility criteria under the UAE Cabinet and ICP guidelines:
1. Skilled Employees
The largest category. You qualify as a skilled employee if you meet ALL three of the following:
- Hold a valid UAE employment contract
- Have a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000
- Hold a bachelor's degree or higher (or an equivalent professional qualification)
Your occupation must be classified under Skill Level 1 or 2 in the UAE's occupational classification system. This broadly covers professional, technical, and supervisory roles. MOHRE maintains the full classification list.
2. Freelancers and Self-Employed
If you work independently — as a freelancer, consultant, or self-employed professional — you may qualify if you:
- Hold a valid freelance permit or professional licence issued by a UAE free zone or mainland authority
- Hold a bachelor's degree or higher
- Can demonstrate an average annual income of AED 360,000 (AED 30,000/month) over the previous two years, or provide a valid proof of financial solvency equivalent to this amount
3. Investors
Business owners and investors who own or partner in an active business in the UAE with an annual turnover or capital value meeting the set threshold. The minimum investment requirement is typically AED 500,000, though specifics depend on the emirate and business type. This is processed through the relevant Department of Economic Development (DED).
4. Outstanding Individuals and Graduates
Recent graduates from top-ranked universities (within the top 500 globally as ranked by QS, Times Higher Education, or Shanghai Rankings) within the last 2 years. Also available for highly rated professionals in specific sectors designated by the UAE government from time to time.
🟢 Green Visa (5 years)
- AED 15,000/month salary
- Bachelor's degree required
- Self-sponsored
- 6-month grace period if unemployed
- Sponsor family independently
- Available to employed professionals
🏆 Golden Visa (10 years)
- No salary minimum (investor route)
- AED 800k+ real estate or AED 2M investment
- OR extraordinary talent recognition
- Long-term residency with full stability
- Sponsor family + household staff
- No grace period needed — permanent
Green Visa vs Standard Employment Visa
Most UAE expats are on a standard employment visa sponsored by their employer. Here is how the Green Visa changes your situation:
| Feature | Standard Employment Visa | Green Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2–3 years (employer-tied) | 5 years (self-sponsored) |
| Sponsor | Employer | Self |
| If you lose your job | 30–60 day grace period | 6 month grace period |
| Family residency | Tied to your employment visa | Independent — stays valid in grace period |
| Change employers | Visa cancellation + reapplication | No action needed (visa is yours) |
| Start a business | Requires employer NOC | Allowed without employer permission |
| Freelance income | Not permitted without trade licence | Allowed alongside employment |
Documents Required for the UAE Green Visa
Documentation varies slightly by category. For skilled employees — the most common applicant — you will need:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Current UAE residence visa + Emirates ID
- Employment contract showing AED 15,000+ monthly salary
- Degree certificate — attested and notarised (Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation for overseas degrees)
- Salary certificate on employer letterhead
- 3 months' bank statements
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- Medical fitness certificate (from an ICP-approved medical centre)
- Emirates ID application form
Fees for the UAE Green Visa (2026)
| Fee Component | Amount (AED approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ICP visa issuance fee | AED 100–150 | Federal ICP fee |
| Emirates ID issuance | AED 270–370 | 5-year card |
| Medical fitness test | AED 320–450 | Varies by centre and emirate |
| Typing and service centre fee | AED 50–200 | For document processing |
| Degree attestation (if not done) | AED 150–2,000+ | Depends on country and urgency |
| Total estimate | AED 1,000–3,500 | Excluding degree attestation if not done |
These fees are subject to change and vary between Amer service centres (Dubai), Tawasol (Abu Dhabi), and other emirates' typing centres. For the most current fee schedule, check the ICP website or visit an accredited typing centre.
How to Apply for the UAE Green Visa: Step-by-Step
Verify your eligibility
Check your salary, qualification, and employment classification against the Green Visa criteria. The UAE Golden Visa eligibility checker covers Green Visa categories too. Confirm your degree attestation status — this is the most common bottleneck.
Attest your degree (if overseas qualification)
Foreign degrees must be attested by: (1) the relevant ministry in the country of issue, (2) the UAE Embassy in that country, (3) the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many attestation service providers operate in the UAE and can handle this remotely. Budget 4–8 weeks.
Complete a medical fitness test
Visit an ICP-approved medical centre in your emirate. Tests cover chest X-ray and blood tests. Results are usually available within 1–2 working days and are submitted electronically to ICP.
Submit your application via ICP or an accredited typing centre
In Dubai, visit an Amer service centre or apply through the ICP smart app. In Abu Dhabi, use Tawasol or the ICP app. Submit all documents, pay the fees, and receive your application reference number.
Receive approval and collect Emirates ID
Once approved, your visa entry permit or residence change is processed. Complete an Emirates ID biometrics appointment. Your 5-year Green Visa and Emirates ID are issued and delivered (or available for collection) typically within 5–10 working days.
Can You Sponsor Family on a Green Visa?
Yes. Green Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children (up to age 25 for sons; unmarried daughters with no age limit), and parents. There is no minimum salary requirement to sponsor family members — unlike some other visa categories where a salary of AED 4,000–10,000 is required for family sponsorship.
If you enter the 6-month grace period (due to unemployment), your sponsored family members' visas remain valid for the same grace period — you do not need to immediately cancel their residency.
Check Your UAE Visa Eligibility
Use our free Golden Visa eligibility checker — it covers Green Visa criteria as well as the full Golden Visa categories for investors, talented individuals and professionals.
Check Eligibility Free →Green Visa vs Golden Visa — Which Should You Apply For?
If you qualify for the UAE Golden Visa, it is the stronger option — 10 years instead of 5, no income threshold for property investors, and broader recognition. But most UAE expats do not yet qualify for the Golden Visa. The Green Visa fills a critical gap: it gives stable, employer-independent residency to the skilled working professional who doesn't (yet) have AED 2 million in investments or an exceptional talent designation.
A practical path for many expats is: obtain a Green Visa now based on employment qualifications, and work towards a Golden Visa as your savings, property portfolio, or business grows over the 5-year period.
