UAE Residency Routes Compared: Golden, Green, Work, Retirement

The routes at a glance

The routes at a glance
Route	Who it is for	Key official threshold	Validity	Sponsor
Golden Visa	Investors, entrepreneurs, specialists, top students	AED 2m investment or property; AED 30,000 a month for specialists	10 years	None
Green Visa	Skilled employees, freelancers, investors	AED 15,000 a month; AED 360,000 a year for freelancers	5 years	None
Employment visa	Employees of UAE companies	A job offer and a work permit	2 years	Employer
Remote work visa	Employees of companies abroad	USD 3,500 a month	1 year	Self-sponsored
Retirement visa	Retirees aged 55 and over	AED 180,000 a year (Dubai AED 240,000), or property plus savings	5 years	None
Family sponsorship	Spouse, children, parents	Sponsor earns AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus housing	Up to the sponsor's permit	Resident relative

Source: ICP: UAE Golden Residency; ICP: UAE Green Residency; UAE Government Portal: Work visa; GDRFA Dubai: Remote work residence; UAE Government Portal: Residence visa for the retired; UAE Government Portal: Residence visa for family members^1,2,3,4,5,6

Each emirate applies these federal rules through its own office: GDRFA in Dubai and ICP in the other emirates. Thresholds can differ slightly; the retirement income figure in Dubai is one example.⁵

Which route fits you

You are investing AED 2 million or more in property, a fund or a company: start with the Golden Visa.
You own or co-own a UAE company with less capital: see the investor or partner visa.
You have a job offer: your employer applies for the employment visa. If you earn AED 15,000 a month or more, compare the Green Visa.
You work for yourself: see the freelance permit.
You keep a job abroad: see the remote work visa.

Source: ICP: UAE Golden Residency; ICP: UAE Green Residency; UAE Government Portal: Work visa; GDRFA Dubai: Remote work residence^1,2,3,4

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest way to get UAE residence?

For most people it is an employment visa, which the employer applies for. Investors with AED 2 million can apply for the 10-year Golden Visa without a sponsor.

Which UAE visas do not need a sponsor?

The Golden Visa, the Green Visa, the retirement visa and the remote work visa are all self-sponsored.

Sources

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.

UAE Residency Pathfinder