Green Residence (Green Visa)

Year establishedPublished

2022

Governing lawPublished

Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners, executive regulations issued by Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022

Responsible authorityPublished

Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)

What the program providesPublished

Sponsor yourself in the UAE for five renewable years as a freelancer, skilled professional or business partner

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Minimum ageUnknown

Unknown

Clean criminal record requiredPublished

Yes

Local health insurance requiredPublished

Yes

Nationality restrictionsPublished

No

Basic eligibilityPublished

One of three routes: skilled employee with a UAE contract, MOHRE occupational level 1-3, a bachelor's degree and AED 15,000 a month; freelancer or self-employed with a MOHRE self-employment permit, a degree or specialised diploma and AED 360,000 a year for the two preceding years (or proof of solvency); or investor/business partner with proof of the investment and the licensing authority's approval

Employment statusPublished

Full-time employee or self-employed

Generational limitPublished

Not applicable

Family sponsorshipPublished

Yes

Spouse includedPublished

Yes

Children includedPublished

Yes

Child age limitPublished

25 years

ChildrenPublished

Sons up to age 25; unmarried daughters with no age limit; children of determination at any age. Family permits run for the same period as the holder's.

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Processing timePublished

0.3 weeks

Can apply without travelingPublished

Yes

How you applyPublished

Online through ICP smart services, or GDRFA Dubai's website and app, with Amer and customer happiness centres as alternatives; filing is allowed from inside or outside the country

Required in-person stepPublished

Entry on the permit, medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics in the UAE

What the processing time measuresPublished

GDRFA Dubai publishes a 48-hour service time for issuing the green residence permit; the MOHRE permit, medical test and Emirates ID are separate steps

Official application routePublished

https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/

Minimum investmentPublished

None required

Minimum passive investment (July 2026)Published

None required

Minimum active investment (July 2026)Published

None required

Processing feePublished

$63

Application feePublished

$60

Total cost to applyPublished

$123

Monthly income requiredPublished

$4,080/month

Monthly pension income requiredPublished

None required

Monthly rental income requiredPublished

None required

Savings requiredUnknown

Unknown

Proof of sufficient fundsPublished

Yes

Local bank deposit requiredPublished

No

Minimum local bank depositPublished

None required

Fees paidPublished

Before approval

Cost notesPublished

GDRFA Dubai: residence permit AED 200 plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation dirhams, AED 20 delivery, AED 500 more when filing from inside the UAE, and AED 100 extra for each year beyond two. Entry permit AED 200 plus 5% VAT and the two dirham fees. MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID and health insurance are charged separately.

Stay required to keep statusPublished

None

Physical presence requiredPublished

No

In-country visit requiredPublished

Yes

Move-in windowPublished

2 months

Length of residencyPublished

60 months

Residency is lifetimePublished

No

RenewablePublished

Yes

Maximum durationUnknown

Unknown

Maximum duration is lifetimePublished

Yes

Stay rule (Sept 2026)Published

No minimum stay. Green residence holders are exempt from the rule that voids a residence visa after 180 continuous days abroad and may re-enter at any time while the permit is valid

Tax residency rulePublished

Individuals present 183 days or more in a 12-month period are tax residents; UAE/GCC nationals or residents with a permanent home or business in the UAE qualify at 90 days

Personal income taxPublished

No personal income tax

Time to permanent residencyUnknown

Unknown

Time to citizenshipUnknown

Unknown

Work for a local employerPublished

Yes

Start a businessPublished

Yes

Remote or freelance workPublished

Yes

Local healthcare accessPublished

Yes

University accessPublished

Yes

Can buy landPublished

Yes

Local bankingPublished

Yes

Permanent residence timeline basisPublished

Not applicable

Citizenship timeline basisPublished

Not applicable

Plan B note (Sept 2026)Published

Temporary permission: nothing requires presence; it simply lapses if unused. Five years, renewable while the qualifying route still holds. Family permits match the holder's term, and there is a 180-day grace period after expiry or cancellation. No path to permanent residence or citizenship.

Official program websitePublished

https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-green-residency/

Plan B sources (Sept 2026)Published

https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-green-residency/ | https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/Investor-visa/Green-visa | https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f52024d1-b812-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936 | https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f52024c6-b812-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936 | https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Visa-information/general-provisions-for-the-residence-visa

Every fact on this page comes from the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database (Sep 21, 2026 edition). A blank is shown as Unknown.