Global عربي
KSA عربي
Global عربي
The opportunities in the UAE are attracting more foreign investors and professionals from various parts of the world.
However, considering that there are many routes to residency, including golden visas and remote-worker permits,
it may feel like solving a complicated puzzle.
That excitement usually collides with frustration: “What path is best according to my status, investor, worker, retiree, or student? And what of my family? How much specifically are the rules and costs?”
Just think of a crystal clear guide that you follow as a high-net-worth family to a Golden 10-year Visa, as a skilled engineer to a Green Visa, or as a retired citizen to a Retirement Visa, with everything explained in regular words and figures. That is the expectation here.
In this guide, you will go through eleven main types of UAE residency visas, covering who is eligible, documents required, the sponsor, validity, with possible costs on them.
The end result will leave you with a realistic roadmap, none of the fluff, none of the surprise, so you, or your clients, will make the best decision and move forward in life in the Emirates, confidently.
Take your company to the next level with finance that arrives in days.
Get fundedThis is a document issued by the UAE authorities, which permits a foreigner to reside in the UAE for a specific reason, such as to work, operate a business, study, receive sponsorship from a family member, or retire.
It is linked to an entry permit and should be marked on the passport with durations ranging between one to ten years according to the type, such as employment, golden visa, or family sponsorship, all of which may be renewed under the terms of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA).
Upon receiving a visa, access is granted to basic services which include opening a bank account, renting an apartment, enrolled children in schools, as well as applying for a driving license.
A medical examination test and subsequent issuance of an Emirates ID is required to validate the visa, which is often issued in conjunction with an entry permit.
The duration of most residence visas in the UAE is 1 to 10 years (depending on the type of visa as well as the sponsor), which is renewable. In addition, investors, professionals, and retirees can get long-term visas such as a 5-year green Visa or a 10-year Golden Visa.
The applicants should generally have someone to sponsor them (like an employer, a family member or themselves in the case of certain categories), a valid passport, and registration for Emirates ID, medical approval and evidence of accommodation in the UAE.
The following are the standard requirements that apply across most UAE residency visa categories, regardless of the specific visa type:
When you decide that you wish to live in the UAE, you have a selection of residency types. All of them have well-defined conditions about eligibility, validity, sponsorship, and prices.
This knowledge can guide you to select the ideal path depending on your objectives, whether you are investing, working, bringing a family, studying, or retiring.
We will start with the top-choice option below and go into depth;
The UAE 10-Year Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit, and it is primarily designed for investors, business owners, scientists, skilled professionals and humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes.
It provides the holder with the right to live, work and sponsor the family in the UAE without a local sponsor.
This visa is renewable, self-sponsored and one of the most independent options to live in the country on a long-term basis.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
Valid for 10 years and renewable on the same terms.
The applicant does not need any sponsor and can self-sponsor the visa.
💰 Cost
Estimated Total
Standard Process (without premium add-ons): AED 4,650–7,500
Full-Service Packages (via agents/providers): AED 10,000–11,000
The 5-Year Golden Visa targeted those investing in the UAE property. It offers to its homeowners a long-stay alternative to savor their extended stay in the country without an employer having to sponsor it.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
Expires after 5 years, renewable provided the requirements of owning a property continue.
Self-sponsored — no local employment agency or any government body required as sponsor.
Cost
Estimated Total
Standard Process (without premium add-ons): AED 4,650–7,500
Full-Service Packages (via agents/providers): AED 10,000–11,000
Beyond investment and work-related visas, the UAE Retirement Visa is an ideal regulation under which retired people of different nationalities can live in the UAE long-term.
It enables the deserving individuals to retire here without employment or investment under certain financial requirements.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
Lasts 5 years, renewable in case the financial requirement in terms of property value, savings, or pension income is maintained.
Self-sponsored — does not require an employer.
Cost
The UAE Employment Visa allows a foreigner to work and reside in the UAE. It is necessarily connected with a job and sponsored by the employer. It includes obtaining a work permit, medical exams, Emirates ID and stamping the visa on the passport.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
⏳ Validity & Sponsorship
Usually expires after 1 to 2 years, depending on the validity of the employment contract.
Renewal is possible as long as the work relationship is active; the firm is the legal sponsor and the employee can sponsor their immediate family post-visa issuance.
Cost
Estimated Total
Starting from around AED 2,100, with most costs typically covered by the employer under UAE labour law.
The Company Investor Visa provides business owners and partners with the possibility to reside within the UAE, depending on their investment in a business.
It is not related to an employment contract but connected with company ownership and permits a residence, entrance, and sponsorship of family members, provided that the business remains operational.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
Generally applicable for 2 to 3 years, according to the expiry of the trade licence of the company.
Renewable provided the company is still active; self-sponsored — no employer required.
Cost
Estimated Total
2-year standard investor visa: AED 12,000–20,000 (includes deposit & standard fees)
3-year investor visa: starts at AED 3,000–3,500 total for basic package
Golden Investor Visa: AED 11,000 plus (for 5 or 10-year duration)
ICP bundle fees: bring totals to AED 3,401.40 plus the basic costs
The Family Visa enables UAE residents for studying, working, or investing and also welcome their eligible family members. It gives you the ability to reside in the country and utilize facilities like schools, healthcare and transportation whilst on the visa.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
Normally ranges between 2 and 3 years, depending on the validity of the residency visa of the sponsor.
Renewable so long as the sponsor has the necessary income and accommodation; valid until the sponsor maintains a valid immigration status.
Cost
Estimated Total
About AED 4,000 with insurance, or AED 2,450–2,500 without insurance.
The UAE Domestic Workers Visa permits all individuals to recruit and sponsor domestic personnel, including cooks, drivers, nannies, or housemaids, legally. This is a visa in which the worker becomes officially employed and medically checked, and insured according to the UAE laws.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
Valid for 1 year with an expatriate sponsor and 2 years with an Emirati or GCC citizen.
Renewable as long as the conditions of employment are still being met; the individual employer is the immediate sponsor.
Cost
Estimated Total
Typically ranges AED 8,500–17,000 for a 2-year visa.
The Specialist Resident Visa is another type of Golden Visa which is awarded to highly professional people in areas such as science, education, health, industries and technologies. It has a 10-year validity and can be renewed, and allows holders to sponsor their families.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
10 years validity, renewable as long as the initial entitlement criteria are still being sustained.
Self-sponsored; Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children and their parents regardless of age.
Cost
Estimated Total
Basic self-service: AED 5,700–7,500
Inside-UAE application: AED 2,800–3,800 (plus extras)
Full packaging or external processing: AED 10,400
The UAE Student Visa gives permission to international students to remain in the UAE to study.
It may be sponsored by the recognized university, or by one of the parents with legal residency in UAE.
The visa can be renewed on a yearly basis and corresponds with the duration of the course.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
Normally issued to last 1 year, renewable every year depending on extension of enrollment.
High-performing students can be entitled to a 5-year Golden Residence Visa; sponsored by the university or a parent resident in the UAE.
Cost
Estimated Total
1-Year Student Visa without insurance: AED 3,270–6,120
With insurance: AED 3,770–8,120
Overall, the total cost typically ranges between AED 7,000–15,000, covering visa processing, medical exam, Emirates ID, and health insurance.
The Remote Worker Visa enables professionals who are not employed within UAE to reside and work remotely within the UAE to a duration of one year.
It is self-sponsored, which implies that you apply independently without having an employer in the UAE.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
One-year duration, extendable once the applicant satisfies all the eligibility requirements.
Self-sponsored — no employer in the UAE is necessary; visa owners can also sponsor their spouse and children.
Cost
Estimated Total
Outside UAE application: AED 2,240 covering entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, and processing fees.
Inside UAE application: AED 200 + AED 500 + AED 750 (medical) + AED 370 + AED 600 = AED 2,420 (excluding Dubai package)
The Green Visa is a 5-year residency visa which permits skilled professional expatriates, freelancers, investors and entrepreneurs to reside in the UAE without the requirement of an employer or national sponsor.
Who is Eligible?
Required Documents
Validity & Sponsorship
Renewable and valid for up to 5 years, as long as the initial eligibility requirements are maintained.
Self-sponsored; holders can sponsor the spouse, children, and first-degree relatives.
Cost
Estimated Total
Typical range: AED 2,000–3,500, depending on additional services and emirate
All-in typical cost: ~AED 5,200–5,260, including entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, status change, and application fees
Take your company to the next level with finance that arrives in days.
Get fundedDisclamer:
This post is for educational purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice or a solicitation to take any financial action. It should not be relied upon when making investment or financing decisions
