What is a UAE residence visa?

It's a permit to live in the UAE for a set period, linked to a sponsor (an employer, a family member, your own company or property) or, for Green and Golden visas, to yourself. Since 11 April 2022, the Emirates ID has replaced the visa sticker in the passport as proof of residence. The Emirates ID expires with the visa. [2][4]

The main types

Visa Length Main conditions
Employment 2 years, renewable Your employer applies [1]
Green Visa: skilled worker 5 years UAE job contract, MOHRE skill level 1, 2 or 3, bachelor's degree, salary of at least AED 15,000 a month [5]
Green Visa: freelancer or self-employed 5 years MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit, bachelor's degree or specialised diploma, freelance income of at least AED 360,000 over the previous 2 years, and proof of stable income or financial solvency [5]
Green Visa: investor or partner 5 years Proof of an investment in a UAE business. GDRFA Dubai sets the share at no less than AED 1 million. [5][6]
Golden Visa 10 years Investors, property owners (AED 2 million), entrepreneurs, skilled professionals (AED 30,000 a month), outstanding students, and other categories [7]
Property owner (Dubai) 2 years Since 29 April 2026, a sole owner can apply whatever the property's value. Joint owners need a share of at least AED 400,000 each. [8][9]
Retirement 5 years Age 55 or over with 15 years' work, plus property of AED 1 million, savings of AED 1 million, or annual income from AED 180,000 (AED 240,000 in Dubai) [10]
Remote work 1 year, extendable Employer outside the UAE, income of at least USD 3,500 a month, health insurance [11][12]
Family Linked to the sponsor's visa Sponsor earns at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus housing [13]

GDRFA Dubai also runs a separate property-owner residence permit. It asks for a completed property, fully owned by you, and income of at least AED 10,000 a month or proof of financial solvency. [14]

How do I get a UAE residence visa?

The usual steps, for the employment route: [15][2]

  1. Entry permit. Your sponsor applies for the permit you enter on. If you're already in the UAE, you apply for a change of status instead.
  2. Medical fitness test, for everyone aged 18 or over.
  3. Residence permit and Emirates ID. ICP requires the process to be completed within 60 days of entry.

Green and Golden visas are self-sponsored, so you apply in your own name. The UAE Golden Visa →

How much does a UAE residence visa cost?

There is no single official total. Fee lines published by the authorities include: [15][16][14][8]

  • ICP (emirates other than Dubai):
    • application AED 100
    • residence permit AED 100 per year
    • status change from inside the UAE AED 500
    • smart service AED 100
  • GDRFA Dubai: residence permit fees range from AED 200 to AED 1,100 by visa type, plus small service charges, AED 500 if applying from inside the UAE, and AED 100 more for each year above two.
  • Dubai property visa: AED 10,212.50 through the Dubai Land Department, with processing in 7 to 10 business days.

Medical tests, the Emirates ID card and health insurance cost extra.

How do I check my UAE residence visa status?

  • Visas from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah: check validity on the ICP website.
  • Dubai visas: use GDRFA Dubai's status enquiry.

[17]

How long can I stay outside the UAE?

An ordinary residence visa is cancelled automatically after more than 180 days in a row outside the UAE. [2]

  • Exceptions include some students abroad, residents abroad for medical treatment, and some others.
  • Golden Visa holders are exempt from the 180-day rule, as long as the visa remains valid. [18][2]
  • Coming back after more than 180 days, for non-Dubai visas, you apply to ICP with a valid reason. The fine is AED 100 for every 30 days (or part) outside, and once approved you must enter within 30 days. [2]

How do I renew or cancel a residence visa?

  • Renewal. Your sponsor renews the visa before it expires. When the visa expires, the Emirates ID expires with it. [2]
  • Cancellation. Normally only the sponsor can cancel. For employees, the employer first goes to MOHRE. A sponsor cancels dependants' visas before their own. [2]

Can I enter the UAE with an expired residence visa?

No. Holders of expired residence permits need a new entry permit. A temporary exception for residents stranded abroad ended on 31 March 2026. [19]

What is the grace period after a visa ends?

Official guidance gives a grace period of "up to 6 months (according to resident category)": [2][20][14][13]

  • Green Visa holders: up to 6 months after the permit expires
  • Family members: 6 months after the visa expires or is cancelled
  • Dubai property-owner permits: 60 days
  • After the grace period: an overstay fine of AED 50 a day applies

Check your own category's period with ICP or GDRFA.

Which countries can UAE residents visit without a visa?

GCC citizens can enter Qatar without a visa. For Oman and Qatar, UAE residents who aren't GCC citizens need a visa, though simplified routes exist:

  • Oman: a visa on arrival or eVisa for residents in approved professions [21]
  • Qatar: a GCC Resident Visa through the Hayya portal [22]

Visiting Dubai? Visitor visas are covered on the UAE government portal. [23]

How Marlborough Gulf helps

What we do:

  • We set up and administer the company that many residence routes depend on, such as the investor or partner Green Visa.
  • We prepare the supporting documents, and coordinate the residence application with the rest of your plan.

What others do: ICP, GDRFA Dubai and MOHRE decide applications. We don't issue visas and can't promise an outcome.

Book a consultation

Questions people ask

What is a UAE residence visa?

A permit to live in the UAE for a set period, with the Emirates ID as proof of residence. [2][4]

How long is a UAE residence visa valid?

An employment visa is usually 2 years. A Green Visa is 5 years, and a Golden Visa 10 years. [1][5][7]

What is the difference between an Emirates ID and a residence visa?

The residence visa is the permit to live in the UAE. The Emirates ID is the identity card that now serves as proof of it, and it expires with the visa. [2][4]

Can I sponsor my family on a UAE residence visa?

Yes, if you earn at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus housing. [13]

This guide is general information. Visa rules, fees and processing times are set by the UAE authorities and change often.

Related guides

Sources

  1. u.ae, Residence visa for working in the UAE, updated 7 Aug 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/residence-visa-for-working-in-the-uae
  2. u.ae, General provisions for the residence visa, updated 28 Sep 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/visa-information/general-provisions-for-the-residence-visa
  3. GDRFA Dubai, Entry Permits service list, site updated 28 Oct 2026. https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/72f0054f-668b-11e8-78de-0cc47ada4ec1
  4. Khaleej Times, "No UAE visa stamping: step-by-step guide to getting residency under new process", 14 Apr 2022. https://www.khaleejtimes.com/life-and-living/visa-and-immigration-in-uae/no-uae-visa-stamping-on-passports-step-by-step-guide-to-apply-for-residency
  5. ICP, What is Green Residence?, updated 12 Sep 2026. https://icp.gov.ae/en/uae-green-residency
  6. GDRFA Dubai, Green visa issuance (investor/partner), site updated 28 Oct 2026. https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/node/13902
  7. ICP, What is the UAE Golden Residency?, updated 10 Sep 2026. https://icp.gov.ae/en/uae-golden-residency/
  8. Dubai Land Department, Investor Residence Application (Taskeen), site updated 14 Oct 2026. https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-for-investor-visa
  9. EY Tax News, "Dubai updates eligibility criteria for two-year property investor residence visa", 4 May 2026. https://taxnews.ey.com/news/2026-0985-uae-dubai-updates-eligibility-criteria-for-two-year-property-investor-residence-visa
  10. u.ae, Residence visa for the retired, updated 28 Jul 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/Residence-visa/residence-visa-for-the-retired
  11. u.ae, Residence visa for working outside the UAE, updated 7 Aug 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/Residence-visa/residence-visa-for-working-outside-the-uae
  12. GDRFA Dubai, Visa Issuance (Virtual Work), site updated 28 Oct 2026. https://alsaada.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/node/13898
  13. u.ae, Residence visa for family members, updated 28 Sep 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/Residence-visa/residence-visa-for-family-members
  14. GDRFA Dubai, Issuance of a residence permit for the owner of a property, site updated 28 Oct 2026. https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f52024e6-b812-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936
  15. ICP, Issuing Residency Permit, updated 11 Dec 2024. https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e64
  16. GDRFA Dubai, Issuing Golden Residence Permit (Specialized Scientists), site updated 28 Oct 2026 (fee lines). https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/node/13916
  17. u.ae, Track visa application and validity, updated 15 Jul 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Apply-and-track-visa/track-visa-application-and-validity
  18. GDRFA Dubai, Issuing a golden residence permit (investors), site updated 28 Oct 2026. https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/node/13914
  19. Newland Chase, "Emergency grace period for expired UAE residence permits ends", 1 Apr 2026. https://newlandchase.com/emergency-grace-period-for-expired-uae-residence-permits-ends-standard-entry-rules-reinstated/
  20. ICP, FAQ, updated 8 Oct 2026. https://icp.gov.ae/en/faq/
  21. Gulf News, "How UAE expats can get an Oman visa on arrival or eVisa", updated 31 Jul 2026. https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/visa-immigration/oman-visa-uae-residents-1.500292812
  22. Visit Qatar, Visas. https://www.visitqatar.com/intl-en/practical-info/visas
  23. u.ae, Tourist visa, updated 1 Oct 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/tourist-visa