Requirements, Options, Costs, Eligibility and Application Process
Relocating to the UAE starts with choosing the right visa or residency pathway. The UAE offers multiple options for professionals, investors, freelancers, families, retirees and students — each with different eligibility rules, validity periods and application procedures. This comprehensive guide explains:
What is in this guide?
- How UAE residency works
- Types of visas available
- Eligibility criteria
- Required documents
- Fees and timelines
- Renewal and cancellation rules
- How to legally live and work in the UAE
Who this guide is for?
- People moving to the UAE for work
- Business owners and investors
- Freelancers and remote workers
- Families joining a sponsor
- People establishing long-term residence
At PlanUAE, we support expats with visa guidance, relocation support and financial planning so you can move with clarity and confidence.
Primary Calls to Action
- Check your UAE Residency Options
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How UAE Residency Works
What is UAE residency?
UAE residency is a legal status that allows you to live, work, study, open bank accounts, lease property, sponsor family members and access services.
You will typically deal with three key elements:
1) Entry Permit
- Permission to enter the UAE prior to completing residency procedures.
- Some nationalities receive visa-on-arrival; others require pre-approval.
2) Residence Visa
Stamp or e-visa that grants residency rights for:
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 5 years
- 10 years
3) Emirates ID
The Emirates ID is your national identity card used for:
- Banking and finance
- Health insurance and treatment
- Utilities and housing contracts
- Mobile phone/internet services
- Accessing government portals
UAE Residency FAQ
How many years is UAE residency valid for?
Most visas are 1–2 years. Green and Golden Visas are 5–10 years.
Can I work in the UAE without a work visa?
No. A valid work permit or eligible residency category is required if you want to work in the UAE.
Can I sponsor my spouse and children to live in the UAE?
Yes, if salary, housing and documentation requirements are met they you can sponsor eligible family members to have UAE residency.
How long is the grace period after UAE visa cancellation?
Typically 30–180 days depending on visa type and emirate.
Do I need health insurance to be a UAE resident?
Yes, health insurance is mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and is required for most UAE visas.
Do rules differ between emirates?
Yes, procedures and fees may vary slightly between different emirates so you should always consult with the relevant department or a professional consultant.
Types of UAE Visas and Residency Permits
Below is an overview of the major residency options, or you can jump straight into the detailed guide for each UAE Visa below:
All UAE Visa and Residency Guides
- UAE Employment Visa (Work Visa)
- UAE Golden Visa (5–10 year residency)
- UAE Green Visa (5 Years)
- UAE Freelancer Visa
- UAE Remote Worker Visa
- UAE Investor / Partner Visa (Company Formation Residency)
- UAE Property Investor Visa
- UAE Family Sponsorship Visa
Employment Visa (Work Visa)
The UAE Employment Visa is designed for people employed by a UAE company or government entity.
Eligible individuals include:
- Foreign nationals with a valid job offer from a UAE-licensed employer
- Skilled professionals meeting role and qualification requirements
- Employees hired under limited or unlimited UAE labour contracts
- Workers passing required medical fitness tests and background checks
- Candidates whose roles are approved within UAE work permit quotas
UAE Employment Visa Benefits:
- Legal right to live and work in the UAE under employer sponsorship
- Eligibility to obtain Emirates ID, bank accounts, utilities and housing leases
- Access to UAE labour protections and employment regulation framework
- Ability to sponsor spouse and children subject to salary and housing criteria
- Renewable residency for continued employment
- Access to world-class healthcare, infrastructure and lifestyle amenities
What is the UAE Employment Visa and who is eligible for it?
The UAE Employment Visa allows foreigners to live and work in the UAE under employer sponsorship; it is available to individuals with a valid job offer from a licensed UAE company who meet skill and medical requirements.
UAE Golden Visa (5-10 year residency)
The UAE Golden Visa provides long-term residency without the need for employer sponsorship.
Eligible individuals include:
- Property investors
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- Highly skilled professionals
- Doctors, scientists and academics
- Exceptional university students
- Individuals with significant financial assets
UAE Golden Visa Benefits:
- 5–10-year validity
- Sponsor family members
- Domestic worker sponsorship
- No local sponsor required
- Greater travel flexibility
- Easier property and business ownership
What is the UAE Golden Visa and who is eligible for it?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency program granting 5 or 10-year residence to investors and highly qualified individuals without employer sponsorship.
Green Visa (5 years)
The UAE Green Visa is aimed at individuals who do not want traditional employer sponsorship.
Eligible individuals include:
- Skilled professionals
- Self-employed individuals
- Freelancers
- Consultants
UAE Green Visa Benefits:
- 5-year residency
- Ability to sponsor family members
- Independent of a company sponsor
What is the UAE Green Visa and who is eligible for it?
The UAE Green Visa is a five-year self-sponsored residency for freelancers, skilled professionals and investors, enabling residence without employer sponsorship subject to eligibility criteria.
Freelancer Visa
The UAE Freelancer Visa is ideal for the modern independent workforce who don’t have employment with a single, fixed employer.
Eligible individuals include:
- Designers
- Software developers
- Marketing professionals
- Photographers
- Content creators
- Consultants
- Often issued via free zones.
UAE Freelancer Visa Benefits:
- Legal residency in the UAE while working independently
- Freedom to work with multiple clients (local and international)
- No requirement for a single employer sponsor
- Ability to invoice and operate as an independent professional
- Option to sponsor spouse and children (subject to criteria)
- Access to Emirates ID, banking, utilities and telecom services
- Flexibility to live anywhere in the UAE
- Potential pathway to longer-term residency options (if eligibility met)
What is the UAE Freelancer Visa and who is eligible for it?
The UAE Freelancer Visa allows independent professionals to live in the UAE while working for multiple clients; it is available to qualified freelancers, consultants and self-employed specialists in approved fields.
Remote Worker Visa
The UAE Remote Worker Visa allows you to live in the UAE but work for a foreign company.
Eligible individuals include:
- Remote employees working for foreign companies
- Entrepreneurs running businesses registered outside the UAE
- Self-employed professionals serving non-UAE clients
- Executives and managers working remotely for overseas offices
- Online business owners and digital entrepreneurs
- Remote IT and tech professionals supporting international firms
- Consultants contracted by non-UAE organisations
- Freelancers whose primary income is earned outside the UAE
UAE Remote Worker Visa Benefits:
- Legal residence in the UAE while working for a foreign employer or non-UAE business
- No requirement for local UAE employment sponsorship
- Ability to live with family members, subject to income and housing criteria
- Access to Emirates ID, banking, telecoms, utilities and rental housing
- One-year renewable residency, provided eligibility is maintained
What is the UAE Remote worker Visa and who is eligible for it?
The UAE Remote Worker Visa allows residence in the UAE while working for foreign employers; eligibility covers remote workers who meet income and insurance requirements.
Investor / Partner Visa (Company Formation Residency)
The UAE Investor / Partner Visa is issued to shareholders or owners of UAE businesses. This is sometimes referred to as the UAE Company Formation Residency.
Eligible individuals include:
- Individuals who establish a new company in the UAE
- Shareholders who invest in an existing UAE company
- Business owners listed as partners in mainland or free zone entities
- Entrepreneurs meeting minimum capital or ownership thresholds set by the jurisdiction
- Investors who pass security clearance and medical fitness requirements
UAE Investor / Partner Visa Benefits:
- Legal long-term residency linked to business ownership or shareholding
- Freedom to work as an owner or partner in your UAE company
- Ability to sponsor spouse, children, and in some cases parents
- Access to Emirates ID, banking, utilities, and property leasing or purchase
- Multi-year visa validity with renewal while investment is maintained
- No employer sponsorship required; self-sponsored through business activity
What is the UAE Investor / Partner Visa and who is eligible for it?
The UAE Investor/Partner Visa grants residency to individuals who establish or invest in UAE companies; it is available to business owners or shareholders meeting ownership, capital, and regulatory requirements.
Property Investor Visa
The UAE Property Investor Visa provides residency through real estate ownership when minimum thresholds are met (varies by emirate).
Eligible individuals include:
- Property owners who purchase real estate in the UAE above the required minimum value
- Investors holding title deed for completed, ready (not off-plan) properties
- Single or joint owners whose individual share meets the minimum investment threshold
- Owners of residential property (in permitted zones) that is not mortgaged or is partially paid to required level
- Applicants who pass medical fitness, background checks, and meet income/insurance criteria as required
UAE Property Investor Visa Benefits:
- Legal UAE residency based on qualifying property ownership
- Ability to live in the UAE without employer sponsorship
- Option to sponsor spouse and children subject to criteria
- Access to Emirates ID, banking, utilities and tenancy services
- Multi-year renewable residency while property is retained
- Potential eligibility for longer-term residency categories if investment increases
What is the UAE Property Investor Visa and who is eligible for it?
The UAE Property Investor Visa grants residency to foreigners who purchase qualifying real estate; it is available to property owners whose asset value meets minimum thresholds and required ownership conditions.
[Internal link to: Property Investor Visa Guide]
[Internal link to: Real Estate in UAE pillar page]
Family Sponsorship Visa
The UAE Family Sponsorship Visa allows family members of UAE visa holders to live in the UAE provided they meet the minimum requirements.
Eligible individuals include:
- UAE residents holding a valid residence visa and Emirates ID
- Sponsored employees who meet the minimum salary requirement set by the emirate
- Investors or business owners with valid residency status
- Husbands sponsoring wives and children (subject to income and housing rules)
- Wives sponsoring husbands in eligible professions or with required income
- Parents sponsoring children (age limits apply, especially for male children)
- Residents able to provide suitable accommodation and valid health insurance
UAE Family Sponsorship Visa Benefits:
- Legal residency in the UAE for eligible family members
- Ability for spouses and children to live, study and access healthcare in the UAE
- Family unity under one sponsor rather than separate employment visas
- Access to Emirates ID, banking, telecom, and tenancy services for dependants
- Flexibility to change sponsor category later if family members gain employment
- Renewable residency as long as the sponsor’s visa and eligibility are maintained
What is the UAE Family Sponsorship Visa and who is eligible for it?
The UAE Family Sponsorship Visa allows residents to sponsor their spouse, children and eligible dependants; it is available to UAE residents who meet minimum income, housing and insurance requirements.
Student Visa
The UAE Student Visa is issued via registered UAE educational institutions for qualifying academic study programs.
Eligible individuals include:
- International students admitted to accredited UAE universities or colleges
- School students sponsored through recognised educational institutions
- Foreign residents transferring from family or employment visas for study purposes
- Students with official admission letters and proof of enrolment
- Applicants who meet financial support, accommodation and health insurance requirements
UAE Student Visa Benefits:
- Legal residency in the UAE for the duration of study
- Ability to enroll in accredited schools, colleges and universities
- Access to Emirates ID, banking, telecom and accommodation services
- Permission to work part-time in approved roles (subject to institution and emirate rules)
- Eligibility to sponsor parents or dependants in limited cases (where criteria are met)
- Option to transition to employment, graduate, or other residency visas after studies
What is the UAE Student Visa and who is eligible for it?
The UAE Student Visa allows international students to live and study legally in the UAE; it is available to those admitted to accredited educational institutions who meet financial, health insurance and sponsorship requirements.
UAE Visa / Residency Application Process – Step-by-Step
When applying for a UAE visa or residency, it’s important to understand the steps you’ll need to take as you move forward through the process.
How to apply for a UAE visa or residency?
To obtain UAE residency, choose your visa type, secure sponsorship or eligibility, enter the UAE, complete medical and biometrics, buy health insurance and receive your Emirates ID and residence visa.
Full UAE visa / residency application process:
- Select the right visa category
- Confirm eligibility and required documents
- Submit entry permit (if required)
- Arrive in UAE or change status internally
- Complete medical fitness test
- Submit Emirates ID biometrics
- Purchase health insurance
- Visa stamping / e-visa issuance
- Receive Emirates ID
[Internal linking suggestions]
- Health insurance → Financial Services in UAE
- Medical → Relocation Services
- Emirates ID → dedicated guide page when created
Required Documents for UAE Residency
Documents vary by category; however, most applicants will need:
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Passport-size photographs
- Entry permit or status change document
- Employment contract or investment proof
- Tenancy contract (Ejari/Tawtheeq)
- Health insurance policy
- Attested marriage certificate (for spouse sponsorship)
- Attested birth certificates (for children)
- Attested degree certificate (for skilled professions)
What does “attested” mean in relation to documents required for a UAE visa or residence permit?
Attestation is the process of legally verifying documents through your home country authorities and the UAE embassy or consulate.
Costs and Government Fees (What to Expect)
While fees change and vary by emirate, you should plan for:
- Entry permit
- Medical examination
- Emirates ID issuance
- Visa stamping
- Administrative/typing center fees
- Health insurance premiums
How much does it cost to apply for UAE residency?
The total cost of UAE residency typically ranges from AED 3,000 to AED 12,000+ depending on visa type, emirate and service provider fees.
Renewals, Cancellation and Grace Periods
Renewal
Most visas must be renewed before expiry.
Cancellation occurs when:
- You leave your employer
- You change sponsor
- Your company closes
- You leave the UAE permanently
Grace Periods
After cancellation or expiry, many visas include a 30–180 day grace period for status correction depending on visa type.
Long-absence rule
Most residency visas become invalid if you stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months, with exceptions such as Golden Visa holders.
Overstaying in the UAE
Overstaying your visa in the UAE may lead to:
- Fines
- Travel restrictions
- Need to exit and re-enter
What happens if I overstay my UAE visa or residence permit?
Overstaying in the UAE after visa expiry or cancellation results in daily fines until status is corrected or the individual exits the country.
Working, Banking and Living after Residency Issuance
Once you hold valid residency in the UAE you can:
- Work legally under approved permit
- Open UAE bank accounts
- Lease housing
- Purchase or lease vehicles
- Access healthcare
- Enrol children in schools
- Sponsor family members
How We Can Help
PlanUAE provides:
- Visa and residency pathway assessment
- Introductions to licensed immigration service providers
- Relocation coordination
- Financial planning and tax residency structure guidance
- Support with accommodation, schools and banking
- Partner access for insurance, real estate, legal and corporate services
Legal Notice
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or immigration advice. Immigration rules and government fees change frequently and may differ by emirate and personal circumstances. Always confirm eligibility and application requirements through official UAE government sources or a licensed immigration service provider.