Key takeaways
- Green residence: 5 years, no sponsor. Three routes: investor or partner, skilled worker, and freelancer (Regulation Arts. 41 to 45).
- Skilled worker Green residence: a work permit, MOHRE skill level 1, 2 or 3, a bachelor’s degree, and a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000 (Art. 43).
- Freelancer Green residence: a MOHRE freelance permit, a bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma, and self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 over the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency (Art. 45).
- Remote work residence: 1 year, renewable, no sponsor, for someone working remotely for a company abroad and earning at least USD 3,500 a month (Arts. 49 and 50).
- Retiree residence: 5 years, for people with 15 years of service or aged 55, who own AED 1 million in property, hold AED 1 million in savings, or have AED 240,000 a year in fixed income (Arts. 51 and 52).
- Property owner residence: a finished, habitable property, wholly owned, plus a monthly income of at least AED 10,000 or proof of solvency (Art. 53).
These are the residences that do not depend on a normal employer: the Green residence, the remote work residence, the retiree residence, the property owner residence and the student residence. This chapter explains each article with the exact figures from the official text. The 10-year Golden residence has its own annex to the Regulation, explained on the overview page.
This page explains what the law says. For fees, documents and how to apply, go to: Green Visa service · Golden Visa eligibility 2026.
The Green residence
Green residence for investors and partners
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“in the event that the Foreigner has more than one license, the total invested capital shall be calculated to meet the prescribed percentage”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 41(2)
In plain English
An investor or partner in a business can get a 5-year Green residence if:
- ICP approves the investment under the investor classification system, set by the ICP Chairman with the Ministry of Economy and other authorities.
- The value of the investment or share is proved, at the level set by the ICP Chairman. If the person has more than one licence, the capital in all of them is added together.
- The local licensing authority has approved the business activity.
Example
Arjun holds shares in two Dubai companies. On its own, neither share reaches the level required. Under Article 41, the capital in both licences is added together, and together it may qualify.
The exact share required is set by an ICP decision, not in the Regulation itself. Our investor, partner or employee visa guide sets out the figures ICP and GDRFA publish, and our Green Visa service checks your file.
Green residence for skilled workers: AED 15,000 a month
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The monthly salary shall not be less than (AED 15,000) fifteen thousand dirhams or its equivalent in foreign currencies.”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 43(4)
In plain English
A skilled worker can hold a work residence without a sponsor or employer on the visa (Art. 42). All four conditions must be met (Art. 43):
- A work permit in the UAE under a valid employment contract.
- A job at MOHRE skill level 1, 2 or 3.
- At least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- A monthly salary of at least AED 15,000, or the equivalent in foreign currency.
Example
Mei is a software engineer (skill level 2) with a degree, earning AED 18,000 a month. She qualifies. If her job were registered as a technician at skill level 4, the salary alone would not be enough.
The job title registered with MOHRE matters as much as the salary. Check whether you are closer to Green or Golden with our Golden Visa checker, which also flags the Green route, and read our Golden vs Green comparison.
Green residence for freelancers: AED 360,000 over two years
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The Applicant annual income from self-employment for the previous two years shall not be less than (AED 360,000) three hundred and sixty thousand dirhams or its equivalent in foreign currencies, or prove his financial solvency throughout his stay in the State.”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 45(3)
In plain English
A freelancer can hold a residence without an employer, sponsor or employment contract, whether their clients are in the UAE or abroad (Art. 44). The conditions (Art. 45) are:
- A freelance work permit from MOHRE.
- At least a bachelor’s degree, a specialised diploma, or the equivalent.
- Self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 over the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency for the whole stay.
Keep invoices and bank statements for the last two years ready. See our freelance permit and visa service.
Non-work residences
Who can hold a non-work residence
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“Family members of the Foreigner residing in the State (husband and children), and it may include the Foreigner parents if he is one of those who obtained the Green Residence Permit”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 46(5)
In plain English
With the authorities’ approval, ICP can give a residence that is not for work to nine groups:
- Students at licensed UAE universities, colleges and institutes.
- Remote workers employed by a company outside the UAE.
- Retirees.
- Property owners.
- A resident’s family: husband or wife and children, and parents if the resident holds a Green residence.
- Parents, children and spouses of UAE citizens who hold foreign passports.
- Wives and children of GCC citizens who hold foreign passports.
- A foreign woman whose Emirati husband has died or divorced her, and who has one or more children.
- Humanitarian cases decided by the ICP Chairman.
A non-work residence does not allow you to work. Groups 5 to 8 (families) are explained in the family chapter; groups 1 to 4 are explained below.
Student residence
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“the Guarantor/The Host Party shall be the educational Institution”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 47
In plain English
- A student enrolled at a licensed UAE university, college, school or research institution can get a non-work residence, sponsored by the institution (Art. 47).
- The institution must be licensed to operate in the UAE, and the Ministry of Education or the emirate’s education authority must approve (Art. 48).
Students whose families live here can often stay on a parent’s family residence instead; this route is for students sponsored by their university. After studies end, ICP lists graduating students in its 180-day grace group.
Remote work (virtual working) residence: USD 3,500 a month
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“Provide proof that the Permit Applicant has earned a monthly income of no less than (USD 3,500) three thousand five hundred US dollars”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 50(2)
In plain English
- Someone who works remotely for a company outside the UAE can live here on a remote work residence, with no sponsor, for one year, renewable (Art. 49).
- They must prove the remote job with the foreign employer, and a monthly income of at least USD 3,500 (Art. 50).
Example
Sophie works for a London design agency from her laptop and earns the equivalent of USD 5,000 a month. She can live in Dubai on a remote work residence while keeping her London job.
This residence is for working for a foreign employer. Taking on UAE clients or a UAE job needs a different permit, such as a freelance permit or an employment visa.
Retiree residence: 5 years
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The fixed annual income of the Retired Foreigner shall not be less than (AED 240,000) two hundred and forty thousand dirhams”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 52(2)(b)
In plain English
A retiree can get a 5-year residence, with no sponsor, renewable on the same conditions (Art. 51). The conditions (Art. 52) are:
- At least 15 years of work before retiring, in the UAE or abroad, or being at least 55 years old.
- And one of these:
- Property in the UAE worth at least AED 1 million (purchase or market value, assessed by the emirate’s authority), or savings of at least AED 1 million in the UAE or abroad. Savings held abroad must be moved into a UAE financial institution within 60 days of the residence being issued, unless the money is invested in the UAE; or
- A fixed annual income of at least AED 240,000, from the UAE or abroad, shown in a 6-month bank statement.
- A mortgaged property counts only if at least AED 1 million of the mortgage has been paid off when applying.
Example
Richard is 58, retired after a career in the UK, and receives a pension of AED 22,000 a month (AED 264,000 a year). He qualifies on the income route, without owning property in the UAE.
Parents of residents sometimes qualify in their own right through this route. Ask us to check the figures before you apply.
Property owner residence
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The Applicant shall have a monthly income of not less than (10,000) ten thousand AED or its equivalent in foreign currencies or to prove his financial solvency”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 53(5)
In plain English
A property owner can get a residence without a sponsor if:
- The property is fully built. Owners of empty land do not qualify.
- They hold an ownership certificate from the emirate’s property registry.
- The property is wholly owned by the applicant.
- The property is habitable.
- They have a monthly income of at least AED 10,000, or can prove financial solvency for their whole stay.
The Regulation says “wholly owned”. The Dubai Land Department runs its own 2-year property investor residence service with published conditions, including a route for co-owners. If your property is in Dubai, check DLD’s current conditions as well.
For property worth AED 2 million or more, the 10-year Golden residence may be better. See our Golden Visa for property investors page and test your deed with the Golden Visa checker.
Quick reference: the figures in this chapter
| Residence | Main financial test | Validity | Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green: skilled worker | Salary of AED 15,000 a month; MOHRE level 1 to 3; bachelor’s | 5 years | Arts. 38, 43 |
| Green: freelancer | AED 360,000 over 2 years, or solvency; bachelor’s or diploma | 5 years | Arts. 38, 45 |
| Green: investor or partner | Share level set by ICP Chairman; licences can be added together | 5 years | Arts. 38, 41 |
| Remote work | USD 3,500 a month from an employer abroad | 1 year, renewable | Arts. 49, 50 |
| Retiree | AED 1m property, or AED 1m savings, or AED 240,000 a year; plus 15 years’ service or age 55 | 5 years | Arts. 51, 52 |
| Property owner | Finished, wholly owned, habitable; AED 10,000 a month or solvency | Per ICP card | Art. 53 |
| Student | Enrolled at a licensed institution; education authority approval | Per ICP card | Arts. 47, 48 |
Green, remote-work, retiree and property residence: frequently asked questions
What salary do I need for a UAE Green Visa as a skilled worker?
At least AED 15,000 a month, together with a valid work permit, a job at MOHRE skill level 1, 2 or 3, and at least a bachelor’s degree (Article 43 of Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022).
How much income do freelancers need for the UAE Green Visa?
Self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 over the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency, plus a MOHRE freelance permit and a bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma (Article 45).
What is the income requirement for the UAE remote work visa?
A monthly income of at least USD 3,500 from remote work for an employer outside the UAE. The residence is valid for one year and renewable (Articles 49 and 50).
Who qualifies for the UAE retirement visa?
Someone with at least 15 years of service or aged 55 or over, who owns UAE property worth AED 1 million, has AED 1 million in savings, or has a fixed annual income of AED 240,000. The residence lasts five years (Articles 51 and 52).
Can I get a UAE residence visa by owning property?
Yes. Article 53 allows a residence without a sponsor if the property is fully built, habitable and wholly owned, and you have a monthly income of AED 10,000 or proof of solvency. Property of AED 2 million or more can qualify for the 10-year Golden residence instead.
Can a Green Visa holder sponsor their parents?
Yes. The Regulation allows a Green residence holder to bring first-degree relatives (Article 54), and lists parents of Green residence holders among the non-work residence categories (Article 46).
Please note. Quotes are from the official English translation on the UAE Legislation portal, checked on 30 September 2026; the Arabic text in the Official Gazette prevails. Some details, such as investor share levels, are set by ICP decisions and service cards. Examples use invented names and are illustrative. This page is general information, not legal advice; the decision of ICP or GDRFA on your own file is final.
