Updated
GL-U-01
Glossary · Citizenship and residency programs
UAE Green Visa - UAE, for professionals
UAE Green Visa — a 5-year residence permit for qualified professionals, freelancers, and investors, without being tied to an employer.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- 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
02 / In plain words
What UAE Green Visa means
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.
A case from practice
A freelancer wants a base in the UAE without being tied to an employer and with zero income tax. The Green Visa fits: they evidence their activity and income, obtain residence for 5 years and sponsor their family. We choose the right category and prepare the documents to the requirements.
Who the Green Visa suits
- Skilled professionals
- Freelancers and the self-employed
- Investors and business owners
- A base in the UAE without an employer
- Sponsoring the family
- Living with zero income tax
03 / What it covers
What matters about the Green Visa
Who it is for
- Professionals
- Freelancers
- Investors
Advantage
- Self-sponsorship
- No employer
- Sponsoring the family
Benefit
- A 5-year term
- 0% income tax
- Regional stability
Conditions
- Qualifications or income
- Evidence of activity
- Renewal possible
04 / How it works
How to obtain the Green Visa
Checking the category and conditions
Evidencing qualifications/income
Filing the application
Review
UAE residence for 5 years
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
The Green Visa is a 5-year UAE residence visa
02
It is not tied to an employer — self-sponsorship
03
For professionals, freelancers and investors
04
It allows you to sponsor your family
05
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
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
For the Green Visa the right category is determined (professional, freelancer, investor) and evidence of qualifications, income or activity prepared in advance. The possibility of sponsoring the family is taken into account and tax residence planned with the UAE’s zero tax in mind. Then the visa gives an independent status in the region for 5 years without being tied to an employer.
What we do for you. 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.
Anna KovalevskayaExpert in Caribbean citizenship by investment programs
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
A 5-year residence visa for skilled professionals, freelancers and investors. Its key feature is self-sponsorship, without being tied to an employer.
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.
Professionals with qualifications and income, freelancers with evidenced activity, and investors and business owners.
Yes, a Green Visa holder can sponsor their spouse, children and parents. We include the family in the process.
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.
For 5 years, with the possibility of renewal if the conditions are met. We help with both obtaining and subsequently renewing it.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
