Key takeaways
- There are two kinds of residence permit: for work, and not for work (Regulation Art. 36).
- You can change your status without leaving the UAE. An entry visa can be turned into a residence permit from inside the country after paying the fee, and so can the status of someone whose residence was cancelled or has expired (Art. 36).
- Three conditions apply to every residence: good health, health insurance for your whole stay, and paying the fees and deposit (Art. 37).
- A normal residence lasts 2 years and can be renewed. It can be issued for 1 year on request or in cases the ICP Chairman sets. A Green residence lasts 5 years, with no sponsor (Art. 38).
- Private-sector and domestic workers need a MOHRE work permit before their work residence (Art. 40).
An entry permit gets you into the UAE; a residence permit lets you live here. This chapter explains the articles that set out what a residence permit is, how long it lasts, and the rules for a work residence. The long-term and self-sponsored residences (Green, remote work, retirement, property owners and students) have their own chapter.
This page explains what the law says. For fees, documents and how to apply, go to: Visa status change service · Residence visa renewal · MOHRE work permit.
Residence permits: who issues them, and what kinds exist
Who issues, renews and cancels residence permits
Federal Decree-Law 29/2021
“The ICA shall be responsible for issuing, renewing and cancelling residence permits”Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021, Article 8(1)
In plain English
ICP issues, renews and cancels residence permits. The Executive Regulation decides the types of residence permit and the rules for issuing, renewing and cancelling them, and how long they last. Those rules are the articles explained below.
Residence files issued in Dubai are handled by GDRFA Dubai, and those issued in the other emirates by ICP, all under the same federal rules. Our authority finder tells you which one holds your file.
Two types of residence, and changing status without leaving
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“the Entry Visa may be converted into Residence Permit without the need to leave the State after paying the prescribed fee”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 36
In plain English
- Every residence permit is one of two types: a work residence or a non-work residence.
- A person on an entry visa can have it changed into a residence permit from inside the UAE, after paying the fee. They do not need to fly out and back in.
- The same applies to someone whose residence has been cancelled or has expired: they can move to a new residence from inside the UAE, after paying the fee.
Example
Layla is in Dubai on a visit visa and receives a job offer. Her new employer gets her work permit and entry permit, and she changes status inside the UAE. She never has to leave the country.
A status change usually costs less, and is less risky, than a “border run”. Compare both with our status change vs exit calculator, see the fees in our status change cost guide, or let us handle it through our visa status change service.
Three conditions for every residence permit
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The Foreigner shall enjoy health insurance throughout his stay in the State”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 37(2)
In plain English
On top of the rules for each type of residence, every applicant must:
- Be in good health, under the health rules in force. This is why residence applicants take the medical fitness test.
- Have health insurance for the whole time they live in the UAE.
- Pay the fees and any financial deposit.
Example
Tom’s employer renews his residence but his health insurance has lapsed. Under condition 2 the renewal cannot go ahead until he has valid cover again.
Keep health insurance active and matching your residence dates. Book the medical fitness test early, because a delayed medical holds up the whole residence.
How long a residence lasts: 2 years, 1 year, or 5 years for Green
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The Residence Permit shall grant its holder the right to reside in the State for a period of (2) two years, renewable for a similar period or periods”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 38(1)
In plain English
- A standard residence lasts 2 years, and can be renewed again and again on the same conditions as when it was first given.
- It can be issued for 1 year if the person asks, if the public interest requires it, or in cases decided by the ICP Chairman.
- A Green residence lasts 5 years, renewable, and the holder needs no sponsor or employer.
Example
A private-sector employee in Dubai usually gets a 2-year residence and renews it every two years. A freelancer who qualifies for the Green residence gets 5 years and sponsors themselves.
Renewal is on “the same conditions under which it is granted”, so check you still meet them before renewing. See our residence visa renewal and employment visa renewal services, and the Green Visa page.
The work residence
Who can hold a work residence
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“The Investor and the partner in a commercial license under a partnership contract with a percentage of participation to be determined by a resolution of the Chairman”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 39(2)(a)
In plain English
With the approval of the relevant authorities, ICP can give a work residence to:
- Employees of:
- the federal or local government;
- private companies covered by the Labour Law;
- households, as domestic workers;
- bodies the Cabinet has exempted from the Labour Law or from needing MOHRE work permits.
- Green residence holders who work:
- investors and partners in a licensed business, with the share size set by the ICP Chairman;
- highly skilled workers;
- freelancers.
Business owners and partners are in the work residence family too. Our investor, partner or employee visa guide explains which route fits you.
Work residence for employees: the MOHRE step
Cabinet Resolution 65/2022
“If the Recruitment Agency is subject to a Federal Law by Decree on regulating labor relations, or if it is a Domestic Service Worker, a Permit shall be obtained from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE)”Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, Article 40(2)
In plain English
What the employer must provide depends on who the employer is:
| Employer | What ICP needs before the residence |
|---|---|
| Federal or local government | The employment contract or appointment decision |
| Private company under the Labour Law, or a household employing a domestic worker | A work permit from MOHRE |
| A body exempted from the Labour Law or from MOHRE permits | The employment contract or appointment decision, and the body must have a wage protection system as ICP requires |
Example
A trading company in Deira hires an accountant. It first gets the MOHRE work permit, then the entry permit, then the residence. Without the MOHRE permit, ICP will not issue the work residence.
For private-sector hires, MOHRE comes first. See our MOHRE work permit service, our employment visa service, and the full cost with our hiring cost calculator.
Quick reference
| Rule | What it says | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Types of residence | Work or non-work | Reg. 36 |
| Changing status inside the UAE | Allowed after paying the fee, including after cancellation or expiry | Reg. 36 |
| Conditions for every residence | Good health, health insurance, fees and deposit | Reg. 37 |
| Standard validity | 2 years, renewable (1 year possible) | Reg. 38(1) |
| Green residence validity | 5 years, renewable, no sponsor | Reg. 38(2) |
| Private-sector or domestic worker | MOHRE work permit first | Reg. 40(2) |
UAE residence permit law: frequently asked questions
How long is a UAE residence visa valid?
Two years, renewable, under Article 38 of Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022. It can be issued for one year on request or in cases set by the ICP Chairman. A Green residence is valid for five years.
Can I change my visa status without leaving the UAE?
Yes. Article 36 of the Regulation allows an entry visa to be converted into a residence permit inside the UAE after paying the fee, and the same applies after a residence is cancelled or has expired.
Is health insurance required for a UAE residence visa?
Yes. Article 37 requires the foreigner to have health insurance throughout their stay in the UAE, as well as to be in good health and to pay the fees and deposit.
Do I need a MOHRE work permit for a UAE employment visa?
Yes, if your employer is a private company under the Labour Law or you are a domestic worker (Article 40). Government employees and staff of exempted bodies need their contract or appointment decision instead.
What are the two types of UAE residence permit?
A work residence and a non-work residence (Article 36). Work residences cover employees and working Green residence holders; non-work residences cover family members, students, retirees, property owners, remote workers and others.
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. Fees are set by resolutions and service cards and can change. 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.
