Employment Visa
Standard 2-year employer-sponsored work visa. Most common path for expats working in Dubai. Employer handles application and costs. Requires job offer from UAE-registered company. Includes residence visa and Emirates ID. Employer must provide health insurance. Can sponsor family members if meeting salary thresholds (AED 4,000+ or AED 3,000 + accommodation). Tied to sponsoring employer—changing jobs requires visa transfer or cancellation and new visa. Processing typically takes 3-6 weeks.
Key Requirements:
- •Job offer from UAE-licensed employer
- •Employer obtains work permit approval from MOHRE
- •Valid passport with 6+ months validity
- +4 more requirements
Family Visa
Residence visa for family members sponsored by UAE residents. Sponsor must earn minimum AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation). Can sponsor spouse, children (sons until 25, unmarried daughters any age), and parents. Female sponsors need higher income threshold (AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 + accommodation). Family visas tied to sponsor's visa—cancelled if sponsor's visa cancelled. 6-month grace period after cancellation to obtain new visa. Health insurance required for all dependents.
Key Requirements:
- •Sponsor with valid UAE residence visa
- •Sponsor income minimum AED 4,000/month (AED 10,000 for female sponsors)
- •Accommodation proof (Ejari-registered tenancy contract)
- +5 more requirements
Freelance Visa
Two-year residence visa for independent professionals working as freelancers or self-employed contractors. Issued through UAE Free Zones (DMCC, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, etc.). Requires obtaining a freelance permit/license first, then residence visa. Can open corporate bank account, sponsor family members, and work with multiple UAE and international clients. Popular among consultants, creatives, IT specialists, and educators. More affordable than full company setup.
Key Requirements:
- •Choose appropriate UAE Free Zone for your profession
- •Obtain freelance permit/license from chosen Free Zone
- •Valid passport with 6+ months validity
- +5 more requirements
Golden Visa
Premium 10-year residence visa for investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents, researchers, and outstanding students. Property investors need minimum AED 2 million in real estate (full value, not mortgage amount). Professionals in specialized fields (scientists, doctors, engineers, artists) can qualify through talent categories. No employer sponsorship required. Can sponsor family members. Flexible entry/exit—no minimum stay requirement. Renewable indefinitely. Provides pathway to potential citizenship nomination (by invitation only). Most popular route is property investment in designated freehold zones.
Key Requirements:
- •Property investment of AED 2 million or more (single or combined properties)
- •OR qualifying talent/profession with relevant credentials
- •OR investment in UAE-approved fund (AED 2M+)
- +4 more requirements
Green Visa
Five-year self-sponsored residence visa for skilled professionals, investors, and freelancers. Unlike standard work visas, does not require employer sponsorship. Introduced in 2022 to attract global talent. Skilled workers need to be classified in occupational levels 1-3 (managers, professionals, technicians) with minimum income of AED 15,000/month or demonstrate AED 360,000 income over past 2 years. Offers 180-day grace period after expiry (vs 30 days for standard visas). Can sponsor immediate family members.
Key Requirements:
- •Valid job contract in UAE with occupational level 1-3 classification
- •Minimum salary AED 15,000/month OR
- •Bachelor's degree or equivalent from accredited institution
- +4 more requirements
Property Investor Visa
Residence visa for property owners with investments below Golden Visa threshold. Two options: 2-year visa for properties worth AED 750,000+ (Taskeen program) or 5-year visa for certain property values. Provides residence without employment. Good option for retirees or those with passive income. Property must be in designated freehold areas. Can sponsor family members. Less stringent than Golden Visa but shorter validity.
Key Requirements:
- •Property ownership worth AED 750,000 or more
- •Property in freehold designated area
- •Title deed from Dubai Land Department
- +4 more requirements
Retirement Visa
Five-year residence visa for retirees aged 55+ with qualifying assets or income. Three qualifying criteria (meet one): property worth AED 1 million+, savings of AED 1 million+, or active income of AED 15,000+/month. Introduced in 2020 to attract wealthy retirees. Can sponsor spouse. No work rights but can own property and access all services. Renewable indefinitely while meeting criteria. Popular with European and Asian retirees seeking warm climate and tax-free living.
Key Requirements:
- •Minimum age 55 years
- •Property investment of AED 1 million+ OR
- •Savings/financial investments of AED 1 million+ OR
- +4 more requirements
Student Visa
Residence visa for international students enrolled in UAE educational institutions. University sponsors the visa application. Valid for duration of studies. Can work part-time with permit (up to 20 hours/week during term). Parents can apply for dependent visa while child studies. Many universities offer pathway to employment visa upon graduation. UAE has over 80 international universities including branches of NYU, Sorbonne, and British universities.
Key Requirements:
- •Acceptance letter from UAE-accredited institution
- •Valid passport with 6+ months validity
- •Passport photos
- +4 more requirements
UAE Citizenship
UAE citizenship is highly restricted and not available through standard application. Four pathways exist: descent (Emirati parent), marriage (foreign wife married 7-10+ years to Emirati), naturalization (30 years residence with Arabic proficiency), or exceptional merit (nominated investors, scientists, doctors, artists). Since 2021, exceptional merit pathway allows dual citizenship for nominated individuals. Citizenship grants visa-free access to 180+ countries, free healthcare, education, and government benefits. Cannot be purchased—only granted by government nomination.
Key Requirements:
- •NATURALIZATION: 30 years legal residence + Arabic proficiency + clean record
- •MARRIAGE: Foreign wife married 7+ years (with children) or 10+ years (no children) to Emirati
- •EXCEPTIONAL MERIT: Government nomination for investors (AED 10M+), scientists, doctors, artists
- +1 more requirements
Virtual Work Visa
One-year residence permit for remote workers employed by companies outside the UAE. Live in Dubai while working for your overseas employer. Requires proof of $3,500+ monthly income and valid health insurance. No UAE sponsor needed. Full access to local banking, housing, and services. Can bring family members. Ideal for digital nomads seeking Dubai lifestyle without changing employers. Renewable by reapplication. Tax-free income since employer is outside UAE.
Key Requirements:
- •Employment with company outside UAE (remote work)
- •Minimum monthly income of $3,500 (AED 12,850)
- •Valid employment contract or proof of business ownership
- +4 more requirements
Questions
No visa questions for Dubai (UAE) yet.