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Dubai visas for visits, work and living
From remote work to long-term investors, Dubai offers a wide range of visas for everyone.
What visa should I get?
Depending on why you’re coming to Dubai, there are a number of visa options available – and you’ll find details of the main types on this page.
If you’re visiting the city looking for business opportunities, and won’t be working in the UAE, then a visit visa is all you need. Nationals of many countries can receive a visa on arrival, while those requiring a pre-arranged visa can easily apply online.
Learn more about visit visas >
Once you’ve decided to establish yourself in Dubai, you will need to apply for a residency visa. For workers employed by a Dubai-based company this will be handled by your employer – but if you’re setting up your own business, working as a freelancer, or want to retire in Dubai, you can arrange your own residency visa, which is usually valid for five or 10 years.
The main residency visas include:
- Golden Visa: for investors, entrepreneurs and talented professionals
- Green Visa: for skilled individuals, freelancers or the self-employed
- Virtual work visa: one-year visa for remote-work employees
- Retirement visa: for those aged 55+ wanting to retire in Dubai
- Blue Visa: a newly launched visa for those involved in environmental work
See below for more details on each.
Visa types and eligibility criteria
Golden Visa
The Golden Visa is a 10-year residency visa for property owners, those investing significant capital in the UAE, or entrepreneurs – as well as individuals with outstanding talent, or who have made exceptional humanitarian contributions.
Other people, including specialist workers in a range of fields and elite recent graduates can also apply for a Golden Visa: find more information on the website of Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
Green Visa
The Green Visa is a five-year residency visa offered for skilled professionals, freelancers and self-employed people. All applicants must have university degrees or an equivalent, and meet the relevant income requirements.
Virtual Work Visa
Dubai's virtual working programme offers people who work remotely for a non-UAE company one-year residency visa. This is ideal for those looking to work remotely from Dubai. Note that holders of this visa are not allowed to work for UAE companies.
Eligibility
- Proof of employment from an employer outside the UAE with a minimum one-year contract validity
- A monthly income of no less than US$3,500 or the equivalent in foreign currencies
- Proof that the work is being conducted remotely
Retirement Visa
Retirement Visas are available to those aged 55 or above who own property or have sufficient income or savings. Retiring to Dubai offers vast opportunityies for relaxation, travel or self-exploration – along with world-class healthcare facilities.
Eligibility
- Minimum yearly income of approx. US$49,000 (AED180,000) annually
- Minimum of approx. US$275,000 (AED1 million) savings in a three-year fixed deposit
- Unmortgaged property valued at a minimum of approx. US$275,000 (AED1 million)
- Mortgage property with a minimum of approx. US$275,000 (AED1 million) paid off
- A combination of three-year fixed deposit savings and property, worth a minimum of approx. US$275,000 (AED1 million) in total, with property making up a minimum of approx. US$137,500 (AED500,000)
Blue Visa
The Blue Visa is a newly-announced 10-year residency visa issued to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution towards protecting the environment, either in the UAE or internationally.
Those eligible for a Blue Visa should have a verifiable record in environmental action, and can include:
- Members of relevant international charities, associations, NGOs or companies
- Global award winners
- Distinguished activists and researchers in environmental work
Details including full requirements for a Blue Visa, and how to apply, are in the process of being finalised: please see the UAE government portal’s page for the latest updates.
