Residency
UAE residence visas
Investors usually choose the 10-year Golden Visa or the 5-year Green Visa, which need no employer or sponsor. Employees receive a 2-year work visa through their employer, and residents can sponsor their family from a salary of AED 4,000 a month.
Which visa
| Visa | Validity | Main routes |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa | 10 years | AED 2m invested or in property; specialists earning AED 30,000 a month; entrepreneurs; outstanding students |
| Green Visa | 5 years | Skilled employees earning AED 15,000 a month; freelancers earning AED 360,000 a year; investors and partners |
| Work visa | 2 years | A job offer; the employer applies to MOHRE or the free zone |
Source: ICP: UAE Golden Residency; ICP: UAE Green Residency; UAE Government Portal: Work visa1,3,4
Golden Visa benefits
- No sponsor, and the 180-day absence rule does not apply.
- The holder can sponsor a spouse, children of any age and parents.
- Property can be bank-financed with an approved local bank, or off-plan from an approved developer.
Source: ICP: UAE Golden Residency; Dubai Land Department: Request for Golden Visa (investor)1,2
Golden Visa cost in Dubai
| Item | AED |
|---|---|
| Medical test | 700 |
| Emirates ID | 1,153 |
| Residence permit | 2,856.75 |
| Dubai Land Department fee | 4,020 |
| Administration | 1,155 |
| Total, property route | 9,884.75 |
Source: Dubai Land Department: Request for Golden Visa (investor)2
Family and staff
- Sons up to 25, unmarried daughters and children with special needs can be sponsored; in Dubai, parents need a salary of AED 10,000 a month.
- A dependant’s permit cannot outlast the sponsor’s.
- Since 1 January 2025, employers in every emirate must insure their staff; the basic package costs AED 320 a year.
Source: UAE Government Portal: Residence visa for family members; GDRFA Dubai: Residence for parents; MOHRE: The basic health insurance scheme6,7,5
Sources
- ICP: UAE Golden Residency
- Dubai Land Department: Request for Golden Visa (investor)
- ICP: UAE Green Residency
- UAE Government Portal: Work visa
- MOHRE: The basic health insurance scheme
- UAE Government Portal: Residence visa for family members
- GDRFA Dubai: Residence for parents
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.