UAE Green Visa Guide: Self-Sponsored Residency 2025

Duration: Green Visa 5 years versus Golden Visa 10 years. Salary requirement: Green Visa AED 15,000/month versus Golden Visa AED 30,000/month. Both are self-sponsored with yes. Both have job flexibility with yes. Both allow family sponsorship with yes. Outside UAE rule: Green Visa 6 months versus Golden Visa no limit. Grace period: Green Visa 6 months versus Golden Visa not applicable as no sponsor.

Duration: Green Visa 5 years versus Employment Visa 2-3 years. Sponsor: Green Visa self versus Employment Visa employer. Job change: Green Visa free versus Employment Visa requires transfer. Grace period: Green Visa 6 months versus Employment Visa 30 days. Cancellation: Green Visa on request versus Employment Visa by employer. Salary minimum: Green Visa AED 15,000 versus Employment Visa none.

Salary of AED 15,000+ per month. Bachelor's degree or higher education. Job level classified occupational level 1, 2, or 3. Valid UAE employment contract.

Valid freelance or self-employment permit required. Income minimum of AED 360,000 per year or equivalent. Bachelor's degree or specialized diploma education. License from UAE freelance program.

Partner or shareholder in UAE company investment. Value below Golden Visa threshold. MOHRE approval required.

University must be UAE or Top 500 global university. Grade minimum 3.0 GPA. Timing must be within 2 years of graduation. Duration is 1-year Green Visa initially.

Salary of AED 15,000+ monthly. Bachelor's degree or specialized diploma education. Job classification at MOHRE levels 1, 2, or 3. Valid UAE employment contract.

Level 1 includes legislators, executives, and managers. Level 2 includes professionals such as engineers, doctors, and lawyers. Level 3 includes technicians and associate professionals.

Passport valid 6+ months. Current visa if converting from valid residence. Employment contract showing AED 15,000+ salary. Attested salary certificate. Educational certificates attested by UAE MOFA. Current Emirates ID. Photo white background passport-size.

Valid freelance or self-employment permit required. Income of AED 360,000+ per year. Bachelor's or specialized diploma education. License from UAE freelance program.

GoFreelance from Dubai. TECOM Freelance permits. Free zone freelance permits. MOHRE self-employment permits.

Step 1: Verify eligibility. Step 2: Gather documents taking 1-2 weeks. Step 3: Attest certificates taking 1-2 weeks. Step 4: Apply via ICP or GDRFA taking 1 day. Step 5: Pay fees. Step 6: Approval taking 3-5 days. Step 7: Medical test taking 1-2 days. Step 8: Emirates ID taking 5-7 days. Step 9: Visa stamping taking 3-5 days.

ICP Portal at eservices.icp.gov.ae. ICP Smart App for mobile application. GDRFA Dubai at smart.gdrfad.gov.ae. AMER Centers for in-person service.

Application fee AED 1,500-2,500. Medical test AED 300-500. Emirates ID for 5 years AED 570. Visa stamping AED 500-1,000. Attestation varies. Total approximately AED 3,000-5,000.

Job freedom to change employers without transfer. 6-month grace period giving time to find new job if unemployed. Self-sponsored with no dependency on employer. 5-year validity with less renewal hassle. Family sponsorship to sponsor dependents. Easier banking with bank accounts.

Attract talent by offering stability. No visa costs as employee self-sponsors. Retain staff as employees stay in UAE longer. Flexibility to hire Green Visa holders easily.

Green Visa holder gets 6 months grace period versus regular visa holder 30 days. During grace period: Can stay in UAE legally. Can search for new employment. Can convert to different visa type. Must leave before expiry if no new visa.