Most people moving to Dubai pick from six visa options: an employment visa through your company, a self-sponsored green visa, a free zone freelance visa, a golden visa, a family visa sponsored by a relative, or a remote work visa. If you have a job offer, the employment visa is the easiest and your employer pays for it by law. The other Dubai visa options suit freelancers, investors, remote workers, retirees and families.
This guide explains who each visa is for, the income or investment you need, how long it lasts and what it really costs in AED. Requirements were checked against the UAE government portal (u.ae), ICP and GDRFA Dubai in November 2026. Costs are approximate ranges from recent Dubai visa providers, because the final bill depends on your free zone, insurance and how fast you need it.
Just visiting? Tourist visas and the 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa are a different topic. This guide covers residence visas for people who want to live in Dubai. Last updated: November 2026.
Key takeaways
- Have a job offer? Take the employment visa. Under UAE labour law the employer pays the visa costs, not you.
- Earn AED 15,000+ a month with a degree? The 5-year green visa lets you sponsor yourself, so you are not tied to one employer.
- Freelancing? A free zone licence with a visa is the usual route; the green visa for freelancers needs AED 360,000 a year in income.
- Golden visa needs property worth at least AED 2 million, or a basic salary of about AED 30,000 a month, among other routes.
- To sponsor your family you need a salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.
Dubai visa options at a glance
Here is a quick comparison. Costs are typical first-year totals (government fees, medical test, Emirates ID and typing), not including health insurance unless stated.
| Visa | Best for | Validity | Main requirement | Typical cost to you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Anyone with a UAE job offer | 2 years | Employer sponsors you | AED 0 (employer pays) |
| Green (skilled employee) | Well-paid professionals | 5 years | AED 15,000/month, bachelor’s degree, skill level 1–3 | About AED 3,000–5,000 |
| Green (freelancer) | Established freelancers | 5 years | AED 360,000/year income for the last 2 years | About AED 3,000–5,000 |
| Free zone freelance | Freelancers and solo founders | Usually 2 years | Free zone licence | About AED 7,500–25,000 (incl. licence) |
| Golden | Investors, high earners, top talent | 5 or 10 years | AED 2M property, AED 30,000 salary, or other route | About AED 4,500–8,000 (excl. investment) |
| Family (dependent) | Spouses and children of residents | Linked to the sponsor’s visa | Sponsor earns AED 4,000, or 3,000 + housing | About AED 2,000–4,500 per person |
| Remote work | Employees of companies abroad | 1 year | At least USD 3,500/month salary | Fees set by GDRFA, plus insurance |
| Retirement | Retirees aged 55+ | 5 years | AED 240,000/year income (Dubai), or property and savings | About AED 4,000–6,000 |
1. Employment visa (employer-sponsored)
This is how most expats live in Dubai. Your company applies for your work permit and residence visa, and the standard work visa is valid for two years and renewable. You sign your contract, enter on an entry permit, do a medical test and biometrics, and receive your Emirates ID.
The big plus: UAE labour law makes the employer responsible for recruitment and visa costs, so they cannot deduct them from your salary. The downside is that your residency depends on your job. If you resign or are let go, your visa is cancelled and you get a limited grace period to find a new sponsor or leave.
Good to know: your employer must also give you health insurance, which is mandatory for residents in Dubai. Family members are not always included, so ask before you sign.
2. Green visa (5-year self-sponsored)
The green visa is a renewable 5-year residence visa that does not need a sponsor. You can switch jobs without losing your residency, and you can sponsor your spouse and children. According to ICP’s green residence guide, there are three groups.
Skilled employees
- A valid UAE employment contract
- A job classified at skill level 1, 2 or 3 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
- At least a bachelor’s degree
- A monthly salary of at least AED 15,000
Freelancers and self-employed
- A freelance or self-employment permit from MOHRE
- A bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma
- Income of at least AED 360,000 a year in each of the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency
Investors and partners
Investors and business partners need proof of investment in a UAE business and the right licences. Expect first-year costs for any green visa of roughly AED 3,000–5,000, plus health insurance.
3. Freelance visa through a free zone
If you work for yourself but don’t meet the green visa income bar, this is the practical route. You buy a freelance permit or a small business licence from a free zone, and the free zone sponsors your residence visa. Packages vary a lot by free zone and activity, so first-year totals range from about AED 7,500 to AED 25,000 including the licence.
Before you pay, check three things: whether the price includes the visa (some packages only cover the licence), whether your activity is allowed, and what renewal costs each year. The licence must stay active, or your visa goes with it.
4. Golden visa (long-term residency)
The golden visa gives 5 or 10 years of residency, depending on the category, with no sponsor needed. Holders can sponsor family members and can stay outside the UAE longer than the usual six months without losing residency. The UAE government portal lists the categories.
- Property investors: property in the UAE worth at least AED 2 million.
- Public investors: at least AED 2 million invested, for example in a fund or a UAE company.
- Skilled professionals: a basic monthly salary of around AED 30,000, a degree and an eligible job (skill level 1 or 2).
- Entrepreneurs: an approved innovative or technical project, usually backed by an incubator or a UAE authority.
- Exceptional talent and outstanding students: doctors, scientists, creatives, athletes, top graduates and others, through nomination or certificates.
Government and processing fees usually add up to about AED 4,500–8,000 in the first year, on top of the investment itself. Be careful with anyone selling a “lifetime” golden visa for a flat fee. It is issued by the authorities only, and it is not citizenship.
5. Family visa (sponsoring your spouse and children)
Once you have residency, you can bring your family on dependent visas. The official rule is a salary of at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation provided by your employer. Your job title no longer matters.
- Who you can sponsor: your spouse, sons under 25, unmarried daughters of any age, and children with special needs of any age.
- What you usually need: attested marriage and birth certificates, your salary certificate or contract, and a registered tenancy contract (Ejari).
- Medical test: required for family members aged 18 and over.
Budget about AED 2,000–4,500 per person, plus health insurance for each family member. If you are still looking for a home, our step-by-step guide to renting an apartment in Dubai explains how Ejari works, and our guide to the best areas to live in Dubai for families compares rents and schools.
6. Remote work visa
The virtual work residence lets you live in Dubai while working for a company outside the UAE. It is valid for one year and you sponsor yourself. According to GDRFA and u.ae, you need:
- Proof of employment with a company outside the UAE
- A salary certificate showing at least USD 3,500 a month (or the equivalent)
- Valid health insurance and a medical fitness result
You apply through GDRFA Dubai or ICP, and you can also sponsor your family for the same period. It’s a good way to test Dubai life for a year before committing to a local job or a longer visa.
7. Retirement visa
The 5-year retirement visa is for people aged 55 and over who have worked at least 15 years in the UAE or abroad. Federally, you qualify with property worth AED 1 million plus AED 1 million in savings, or an income of AED 180,000 a year. If you apply through Dubai, the income bar is higher: AED 240,000 a year (AED 20,000 a month). Expect total costs of roughly AED 4,000–6,000.
Before you have a job: the jobseeker visa
Not a residence visa, but useful. The jobseeker visit visa lets you come to the UAE for 60, 90 or 120 days to look for work, without a sponsor. You need a bachelor’s degree and either a skill level 1–3 profile or a degree from a top-500 university earned in the last two years, plus proof that you can support yourself during your stay. Once you get an offer, your employer switches you to an employment visa.
What a Dubai residence visa really costs
Whatever visa you choose, the same extra items come up. These typical ranges help you budget:
| Item | Typical cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medical fitness test | 300–850 | Higher for express service |
| Emirates ID | About 370–1,100 | Depends on how many years it covers |
| Health insurance | 600–3,000 per year | Mandatory in Dubai; more for older applicants |
| Typing and service fees | 150–350 per form | Paid at typing centres or Amer |
| Document attestation | 500–1,000+ | Degrees and marriage or birth certificates |
Fees change and every free zone and agency prices differently, so use these as a budget guide and check the final amount on the GDRFA or ICP app before paying. For the full picture of rent, bills and groceries, see how much it costs to live in Dubai. If rent is your biggest worry, start with our guide to the cheapest areas to live in Dubai.
How the visa process works, step by step
- Pick your visa type and confirm you meet the salary, income or investment rule.
- Prepare documents: passport, photo, attested degree (for green, golden and some jobs), contract, licence or title deed.
- Get an entry permit, or change status if you are already in the UAE on a visit visa.
- Do the medical test at an approved centre and buy health insurance.
- Give biometrics for your Emirates ID. The Emirates ID has replaced the passport visa sticker as the main proof of residency, so keep it safe and up to date.
With a complete file, most residence visas take about two to four weeks from start to Emirates ID.
Which of the Dubai visa options is right for you?
- You have a job offer: employment visa. Free, quick and standard.
- You earn AED 15,000+ and want freedom to change jobs: green visa.
- You earn AED 30,000+ basic, or own AED 2M+ in property: golden visa.
- You freelance: free zone visa to start; green visa once you hit AED 360,000 a year.
- You work remotely for a foreign company: remote work visa.
- Your partner already lives here: family visa under them.
Still deciding whether the move makes sense at all? Read our honest take on whether living in Dubai is worth it.
Common visa mistakes to avoid
- Staying abroad too long. Most residence visas lapse if you stay outside the UAE for more than six months in a row (golden visa holders are exempt; check the rules for your own visa).
- Forgetting the grace period. After a visa is cancelled or expires you have a set number of days to leave or switch. Overstaying means daily fines.
- Not attesting documents early. Degree and marriage certificate attestation from your home country can take weeks. Start before you move.
- Buying a cheap freelance package blindly. Check that the visa, medical and Emirates ID are included, and what renewal costs.
FAQ
Can I live in Dubai without a job?
Yes. You can get residency through a free zone freelance licence, a green visa as a freelancer, a golden visa through property or investment, a remote work visa, a retirement visa, or as a family member of a resident.
What is the cheapest visa option in Dubai?
The employment visa, because your employer pays for it. If you need to sponsor yourself, the green visa usually has lower visa fees than a free zone package, but you must meet its salary or income rules (and freelancers also need a MOHRE permit).
How much salary do I need to sponsor my family in Dubai?
At least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 a month if your employer also provides accommodation. You will also need a registered tenancy contract and health insurance for each family member.
Can I buy property and get a Dubai visa?
Yes. Property worth at least AED 2 million can qualify you for the golden visa. Off-plan property can also count in some cases, so check with Dubai Land Department or GDRFA before you buy with a visa in mind.
How long does a Dubai residence visa take?
Usually two to four weeks when your documents are complete and attested. Golden visa files can take a little longer because of extra checks.
The bottom line
For most people, the right answer is simple: take the employment visa if you have a job, and look at the green or golden visa once your salary or savings qualify. Freelancers and remote workers have solid options too. Check the latest fees on the GDRFA or ICP app before you apply, and budget for insurance and attestation, which are the costs people forget.
