Residence visa for working in the UAE

There are three cases to get a visa for work, which include standard work visa, green visa for work, and domestic worker visa. The standard work visa is issued for employees in government and private sectors. The green visa is issue for skilled employees for 5 years. The last type of visas is issued for domestic helpers.

  Green visa for work
  Standard work visa
  Golden visa
  Domestic worker’s visa
  Related digital services

Green visa for work

What is the UAE’s Green visa?

The UAE’s Green visa is a type of residence visa, that allows its holder to sponsor himself/herself for 5 years, eliminating the need for a UAE national or employer to sponsor his/her visa.

Green visa for work

Who can apply for a Green visa?

Freelancers, self-employed and skilled employees can apply for a Green visa.

1-Freelancers and/or self-employed people

Freelancers and/or self-employed people who wish to apply for a Green visa need to submit:

  a freelance/self-employment permit from Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
  proof of a bachelor’s degree or a specialised diploma
  evidence of annual income from self-employment for the previous two years amounting to not less than AED 360,000, or proof of financial solvency throughout their stay in the UAE.

2-Skilled employees

To apply for a Green visa, skilled employees must:

  have a valid employment contract
  be classified in the first, second or third occupational level as per Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
  hold a minimum of bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  have a salary of not less than AED 15,000 per month.

Renewing the visa

The visa is renewable for the same term upon its expiry.

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For more information on the Green visa, contact:

  Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
  General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai

Standard work visa

A foreigner can get a normal employment visa, usually for two years, if he/she is:

  Employed in the private sector
      Apply for a residency visa for a person working in the private sector – GDRFAD Dubai
  Employed in the government sector or a free zone
      Apply for a residency visa for an individual in (free zone) – GDRFAD Dubai

The employer must apply for the standard residence visa. Golden visa Read about golden visa. Domestic worker’s visa

Read about domestic workers’ recruitment. Related digital services

  Issuing residency visa – ICP
  Issuing entry permits – ICP
  Issuing Entry Permit for Green Residence (High Skilled Worker) – GDRFAD
  Issuing Entry Permit for Green Residence (Self-Employment) – GDRFAD
  Employment entry permit (GOV sector) – GDRFAD
  Employment entry permit for private sector – GDRFAD