UAE GreenVisa
UAE, for professionals
UAE Green Visa — a 5-year residence permit for qualified professionals, freelancers, and investors, without being tied to an employer.
- What it is
- Green Visa — a 5-year UAE residence visa not tied to an employer
- Who it is for
- Skilled professionals, freelancers, investors
- Advantage
- Self-sponsorship — no sponsoring employer is needed
- Bonus
- You can sponsor your family; income tax is 0%
- Can you prepare
- Yes: evidence your qualifications or income
In plain words
The UAE Green Visa is a 5-year residence visa for skilled professionals, freelancers and investors, whose key feature is self-sponsorship. Unlike an ordinary work visa, it is not tied to an employer: the resident is their own “sponsor”, which gives independence and flexibility.
The Green Visa can be obtained by professionals with qualifications and a sufficient level of income, freelancers with evidenced activity, and investors and business owners. The visa allows you to live and work in the UAE, sponsor family members (spouse, children, parents) and enjoy the Emirates’ key advantage — the absence of personal income tax.
The UAE is a popular base for international business and mobile professionals thanks to zero income tax, stability and its strategic position between Europe and Asia. The Green Visa is a convenient tool for those who want to establish themselves in the region without being tied to a particular employer. We help evidence your qualifications or income and obtain the status.
Who the Green Visa suits
What matters about the Green Visa
- Professionals
- Freelancers
- Investors
- Self-sponsorship
- No employer
- Sponsoring the family
- A 5-year term
- 0% income tax
- Regional stability
- Qualifications or income
- Evidence of activity
- Renewal possible
How to obtain the Green Visa
- 01Checking the category and conditions
- 02Evidencing qualifications/income
- 03Filing the application
- 04Review
- 05UAE residence for 5 years
What you need to know
- The Green Visa is a 5-year UAE residence visa
- It is not tied to an employer — self-sponsorship
- For professionals, freelancers and investors
- It allows you to sponsor your family
- The UAE has no personal income tax
Common mistakes
- Confusing the Green Visa with an ordinary sponsored work visa
- Not evidencing qualifications or level of income
- Choosing the wrong category for your situation
- Not accounting for the renewal requirements
- Ignoring tax residence in other countries
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We help obtain the UAE Green Visa: we determine the right category, evidence your qualifications or income and obtain independent residence for 5 years with the right to sponsor your family. We help you establish yourself in a region with zero income tax — without being tied to an employer.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is the UAE Green Visa?
A 5-year residence visa for skilled professionals, freelancers and investors. Its key feature is self-sponsorship, without being tied to an employer.
02 /How does it differ from a work visa?
An ordinary work visa is tied to a sponsoring employer; the Green Visa is self-sponsored, so the resident is independent and manages their own status.
03 /Who can obtain it?
Professionals with qualifications and income, freelancers with evidenced activity, and investors and business owners.
04 /Can the family come too?
Yes, a Green Visa holder can sponsor their spouse, children and parents. We include the family in the process.
05 /Is there income tax in the UAE?
There is no personal income tax in the UAE — one of its key advantages. It is still important to take tax residence in other countries into account.
06 /For how long is the visa issued?
For 5 years, with the possibility of renewal if the conditions are met. We help with both obtaining and subsequently renewing it.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
A base in the UAE without an employer?
We will choose a Green Visa category for your situation and obtain residence for 5 years — with the right to sponsor your family.