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Find out if you're eligible for a UAE Green Visa with our complete guide, including the eligibility criteria, documents required, how to apply, and costs
27 October 2022
| Last updated on 22 March 2023
Great news, highly skilled workers in the UAE can now get a 5 or 10-year residency visa through their own sponsorship.
The UAE Green Visa now comes with a 5 or 10-year residence track for skilled professionals, freelancers, investors and entrepreneurs looking to stay and work in the country.
SEE ALSO: UAE Job Exploration Visa - How to Apply, Costs, Eligibility, Validity, etc.
We've gathered everything you need to know about the new Green Visa for working professionals, including how to apply in the UAE, what are the eligibility requirements, and expected costs.
What is the UAE Green Visa?
The Green Visa is a unique category of the UAE residence visa, as it allows the visa-holder to sponsor themselves for 5 or 10 years without the need of an employer, family member, or UAE national to sponsor his or her visa.
What are the benefits of a UAE Green Visa?
Compared to the regular residence visa, the Green Visa provides its holder and immediate family members more benefits, including:
- Getting residence permits with better ease for family members: spouse, children, and first-degree relatives.
- The visa-holder can sponsor his or her male child up until he is 25 years old (previously 18 years old). There is no age limit to sponsor unmarried daughters.
- Children with special needs can be given a residence permit, regardless of how old he or she is.
- Visa holders can benefit from longer flexible grace periods up to 6 months in the UAE after the residence permit has expired or is cancelled.
- Your sponsored family members' UAE residency will be the same as yours which is 5 or 10 years (two years with the regular residency visa)
Who can apply for the UAE Green Visa?
To be eligible for the UAE Green Visa, you will need to fall under any of the three following categories:
1. Freelancers or self-employed workers.
Freelancers or self-employeed people who wish to apply for a UAE Green Visa will need to have a permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), proof of a bachelor's degree or a specialised diploma, and present evidence of annual income from self-employment for the past two years - the amount must be over AED 360,000. Alternatively, the applicant can provide proof of financial solvency throughout their stay in the country.
2. Skilled employees.
Skilled employees, who must be classified in the first, second or third occupational level as per the MoHRE. View the full list of the MoHRE's occupational levels, here.
Skilled employees will also need the following:
- A valid employment contract.
- Have a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000.
- Minimum a completed bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Be classified in the MoHRE's list of first, second, or third occupational levels.
3. Investors or partners.
Investors or partners who establishing or participating in commercial activities in the UAE are also eligible for the UAE Green Visa.
Those who fall under this category will need to meet the following requirements:
- Approval of the investment and proof of the investment (If the investor/partner has more than one licence, then his or her total invested capital will be calculated).
- Approval of the competent local authorities.
How to apply for the UAE Green Visa in Dubai?
To apply for the UAE Green Visa in Dubai, you will need to visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs's (GDRFA) official website and follow these steps:
- Visit the GDRFA website
- Click on the 'Services' tab and select 'Entry Permits'.
- Select 'Entry Permit Services' to access the 'New Entry Permit for Green Residence' option.
- You will be presented with all the categories that are eligible for the UAE Green Visa. Select the category that applies to your work.
- Click on 'Start service' and you will be directed to the login page.
- Click on 'Individuals' from the tab and login with your GDRFA account details, UAE Pass account, or register a new account if you don't have one yet.
- After you've logged in, you will be redirected to your personal account. Once there, click on the green 'New application' button and then select the 'Green residence for-' high-skilled workers/investors/or self-employment option.
- Fill in the application form with all the necessary details and supporting documents (these will vary depending on your work category - high skilled employee, investor, or freelancer/self-employed.
- Make the payment for your visa application, and your application will be complete and sent for review.
The GDRFA will send you a text message and/or email about the status of your visa application. If your application missed some documents, you will be informed to attach the missing documents within 30 days. If you don't send the missing documents within this time period, your visa application will be cancelled.
If your application for the UAE Green Visa is approved, you will be notified via email.
How much does a UAE Green Visa cost?
For one individual, you can expect to pay AED 335.75 for the application process which doesn't include the cost of the ID and additional medical fees.
If you are in the UAE when the permit is issued, you will need to pay an additional AED 650 for the 'inside country status change'.
The actual cost for the entire application process will also vary depending on the applicant's number of dependents they wish to sponsor.
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