The UAE offers multiple long-term residency pathways for investors, skilled professionals, graduates, and property owners. Here is a complete 2025 guide to UAE long-term residence options.
UAE Golden Visa (10 Years)
The UAE Golden Visa grants a 10-year residency without the need for an employer sponsor. Categories: Investors: property investors (AED 2M+ in UAE property), business investors (AED 2M+ invested in a UAE company), or public investors. Entrepreneurs: founders of UAE startups valued at AED 500K+ (or accepted in a government business incubator). Highly Skilled: doctors, engineers, scientists, artists in specialised fields. Requires endorsement from a relevant UAE government ministry. Outstanding Graduates: UAE university graduates with a GPA of 3.75+ (from approved UAE universities). Humanitarian Pioneers: significant humanitarian contributions. Golden Visa holders: no sponsor required, can sponsor family members, can exit and re-enter UAE freely, can work for any employer or be self-employed.
UAE Green Visa (5 Years)
The UAE Green Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored residence visa for: skilled employees (salary AED 15,000+ and hold a professional qualification), freelancers and self-employed (freelance permit + annual income AED 360,000+ or financial solvency proof), and entrepreneurs (business with AED 500K+ investment). The Green Visa does not require employer sponsorship — similar to Golden Visa but at a lower investment/income threshold and shorter (5 years vs. 10 years).
UAE Blue Residency (Permanent Residency)
UAE Blue Residency was announced in 2023 as a permanent residency category for exceptional environmental contributors. This is not yet widely open — it remains limited to specific individuals who have made outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability in the UAE or globally.