UAE Green Visa 2023 – All You Need to Know About 5-Years Residency Visa

UAE Green Visa 2023: The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new five-year Green Visa to attract internationally talented professionals, skilled employees, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. This long-term residency visa is intended to increase the flexibility of the labor market and provide more advantages than the standard residence visa.

As you may be aware, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced a new five-year residency visa (the “Green Visa) last year as part of a new set of rules intended to attract skilled workers and international investors.

The new 5-year Green Residence Visa will target exceptional talents, skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs in an effort to increase job market flexibility and attract outstanding workers from all disciplines.

What is Green Residence Visa?

The Green Visa is a type of residence visa that allows international talent to sponsor themselves, removing the need for employment in the UAE.

The Green Visa provides visa holders and their families with more benefits than the standard residence visa. The ability to sponsor sons up to the age of 25 and unmarried daughters of any age is one of the benefits.

The UAE Green Visa is valid for five years and provides a variety of visa options for professionals, freelancers, investors, and business partners. It is worth noting here that the Green Visa is also renewable for the same term upon expiration.

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Benefits of UAE’s Green Visa

The Green Visa of the UAE provides numerous advantages to international talent, investors, and entrepreneurs. The Green Visa attracts exceptional workers in all disciplines due to its long-term residency, self-sponsorship, and flexibility in the job market.

1. Self-Sponsorship: The Green Visa enables international talents to self-sponsor, eradicating the need for a UAE-based job.
2. The Abu Dhabi Green Visa offers long-term residency and more advantages than the standard residence visa to visa holders and their families, providing stability and security.
3. Flexibility: The Green Visa increases the job market’s flexibility, attracting exceptional workers in all disciplines, including freelancers, skilled professionals, investors, and business owners.
4. Family sponsorship: The Green Visa allows visa holders to sponsor sons up to the age of 25 and unmarried females of any age, allowing families to remain in the UAE together.
5. The Abu Dhabi Green Visa is valid for five years and offers a variety of visa options for professionals, freelancers, investors, and partners, catering to the requirements of a wide range of individuals.

Who Can Apply for the Green Visa?

The Green Visa is available to investors, skilled employees, and independent contractors. Here is a breakdown of the eligibility requirements and application process for each category.

1. Green Residence for Skilled Employees

This new visa grants experienced workers a five-year residency without requiring a sponsor or employer. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization stipulates that petitioners must possess a valid employment contract and be classified at the first, second, or third occupational level. A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent is required, and the minimum starting salary is AED 15,000.

To be eligible for a green visa, qualified workers must:

• have a valid employment contract designated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization as first, second, or third occupational level.
• possess a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
• possess a remuneration of at least 15,000 AED per month.

2. Green Residence for Freelancing and Self-Employment

This path provides freelancers and self-employed individuals with a 5-year residency in the UAE without the need for a sponsor or employer, in accordance with the increasing significance of flexible work models.

It is necessary to obtain a freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, to hold a bachelor’s degree or a specialized diploma, and to have earned at least AED360,000 per year from self-employment in the preceding two years, or to demonstrate financial solvency for the duration of the applicant’s stay in the country.

Freelancers and/or self-employed applicants for a green visa must submit the following documents:

• A permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for freelance or self-employment
• Proof of a bachelor’s degree or a specialized diploma; proof of annual income from self-employment for the preceding two years of at least AED 360,000; or proof of financial solvency for the duration of their stay in the UAE

3. Green Residence for Investor or Partner

This residence permit is intended to encourage investment by granting a 5-year residency permit to investors who establish or partake in commercial activities. It replaces the former domicile, which was valid for only two years.

Investment authorization and investment documentation are among the requirements. If the investor (partner) has more than one license, the total capital investment will be calculated. Required is the sanction of the appropriate local authorities.

Apply for Green Visa

To apply for a green visa in the UAE, applicants must visit https://icp.gov.ae to access the website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP).

The website details the eligibility requirements and required documents for each Green Visa category, including the Green Visa for freelancers and self-employed, skilled employees, and investors.

Applicants must ensure they satisfy the eligibility requirements for the category for which they are applying and submit all required documents in accordance with the instructions. Depending on the Green Visa category, the required documents may include a valid work permit, evidence of income, proof of financial solvency, and attested educational certificates.

Frequently Asked Questions