The UAE now offers multiple pathways to long-term residence for expats. Here is the complete 2025 guide to UAE long-term visa options.
UAE Visa Duration Options
Short-term: 30/90-day tourist or visitor visa (no UAE residency status). Standard employment/investor visa: 2-year renewable residence visa. Long-term options: Green Visa (5 years), Golden Visa (10 years). Permanent residency: the UAE does not currently offer permanent residency or citizenship to most expats (there are extremely limited citizenship awards for extraordinary contribution).
UAE Green Visa (5 Years) — Key Eligibility Paths
Skilled employees: monthly salary AED 15,000+, bachelor’s degree or higher, skill level 1 or 2 classification. Freelancers: UAE freelance permit, annual income AED 360,000+ or financial capacity proof. Investors: UAE company with AED 500,000+ paid-up capital. Green Visa benefit: no employer sponsorship required — self-sponsored. If you lose your job: 6-month grace period to find a new one before the visa is cancelled. Family sponsorship: available immediately upon Green Visa issuance.
UAE Golden Visa (10 Years) — Key Eligibility Paths
Property investors: AED 2,000,000+ net equity in UAE property. Entrepreneurs: UAE company with AED 500,000+ capital + business incubator endorsement. Skilled professionals: AED 30,000+/month salary in specialised fields (doctors, engineers, scientists, artists). Outstanding graduates: GPA 3.5+ from top 500 ranked universities. Athletes: internationally recognised performance. Golden Visa benefit: 10-year self-sponsored residency, unlimited-age dependent children, and status compatible with multiple entry and re-entry after long absences.