Which UAE visa is right for you?
The UAE runs 13 visa types, from 30-day tourist entries to the 10-year Golden Visa. This guide compares all of them in one place, kept current as the rules change.
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The 13 UAE visa types at a glance
Every UAE residence path in one table. The three long-term visas — Golden, Green, Blue — are federal programs issued by ICP; the rest are the standard entry and residence routes.
| Visa | Duration | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa | 10 yrs | Investors (AED 2M), AED 30K+ earners, and nominated talent — self-sponsored |
| Green Visa | 5 yrs | Skilled workers on AED 15K+/month and degree-holding freelancers — self-sponsored |
| Blue Visa | 10 yrs | Environmental and sustainability contributors — by nomination only |
| Property investor | 2–3 yrs | Property owners from AED 750,000 — below the Golden threshold |
| Employment | 2 yrs | Employees sponsored by a UAE company — the most common visa |
| Freelance permit | 1–5 yrs | Self-employed professionals with a UAE freelance license |
| Remote work | 1 yr | Employees of foreign companies earning ~USD 3,500+/month |
| Retirement | 5 yrs | Age 55+ with AED 1M in savings/property or AED 180K annual income |
| Student | 1 yr | Students at accredited UAE institutions, renewable |
| Family | Linked | Dependents of residents earning AED 4,000+/month |
| Job exploration | 60–120 days | Job seekers from qualifying categories — no sponsor needed |
| 5-year tourist | 5 yrs multi-entry | Frequent visitors — not a residence visa |
| Tourist / visit | 30–90 days | Short stays |
Not sure where to start?
Free, nothing stored, and the rules it checks are shown openly.
Compare and decide
Golden vs Green →
10 years at a high bar, or 5 years at half the bar.
AED 750K vs AED 2M property →
What the extra capital actually buys.
Freelance vs Remote work →
One question decides it: do UAE clients pay you?
What AED 2M actually buys →
Registered DLD sales across 23 districts — not listings.
Is there permanent residency? →
No — and what the UAE offers instead, honestly compared.
What changed recently →
Confirmed rule changes, newest first — dated.
By nationality
The rules are the same for every passport — what differs is the paperwork at home.
Indian nationals →
Routes plus the MEA attestation chain that sets your timeline.
Pakistani nationals →
Routes plus MOFA attestation and realistic buffer time.
Filipino nationals →
The UAE side, plus the Philippine exit requirements guides skip.
Start from your situation
I can invest AED 2M, or earn AED 30K+ →
The Golden Visa: four routes, real costs, and what changed in 2026.
I'm a freelancer or skilled worker →
The Green Visa: 5 years, self-sponsored, half the Golden bar.
I work remotely for a foreign company →
The 1-year remote work visa, income thresholds included.
I'm planning retirement in Dubai →
The 5-year retirement visa: property, savings or income routes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest UAE visa to get long-term residence with?
For most people it is the employment visa (a job offer handles it) or, without an employer, the Green Visa if you earn AED 15,000+/month in a skilled role or hold a freelance license with a bachelor's degree. The Golden Visa has higher bars but removes sponsor dependence for 10 years.
What's the difference between the Golden, Green and Blue visas?
All three are long-term, self-sponsored federal visas. Golden (10 years) targets investors and top talent; Green (5 years) targets skilled workers and freelancers; Blue (10 years) is nomination-only for environmental contributors and cannot be applied for through normal portals.
Can I convert a tourist visa into a residence visa?
Status change inside the UAE is possible for several visa types without exiting the country, but the rules depend on the visa and current regulations — confirm the current procedure with ICP or GDRFA.
Sources & verification. Figures on this page were cross-checked on 2026-09-22 against UAE government portals (u.ae, ICP) and current legal-advisory publications. This site is an independent guide by Growtoday Holdings FZE, Dubai — not a government website and not legal advice. Requirements vary by emirate, nationality and case; confirm with ICP/GDRFA or a licensed advisor before making decisions.
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