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AEEntry · residence · long-term status

Legal ways to live in United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates currently offers 6 active paths relevant to remote workers, including a digital nomad visa (income requirement 3,500 USD/month). Conditions below come from official immigration sources — filter by your citizenship.

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6 legalization paths · 9 sources · official immigration sources only

passport-specific

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6 legalization paths

01

Choose your route

A compact map of every documented option for United Arab Emirates. Start with eligibility and duration, then open the full conditions below.

  1. 01Visa-free entry (90 days / 180)Getting in · Visa-free stayWho qualifiesEU citizens, US citizens, UK citizensDuration3 moNo direct PR path
  2. 02Visa on arrival (30 days)Getting in · Visa-free stayWho qualifiesUkrainian citizensDuration1 moNo direct PR path
  3. 03Virtual work (remote work) residence visaStaying long-term · Digital nomad visaWho qualifiesAll citizenshipsDuration1 yr +No direct PR path
  4. 04Green visa — freelancer / self-employedStaying long-term · Freelance permitWho qualifiesAll citizenshipsDuration5 yrs +No direct PR path
  5. 05Golden visa — 10-year residence (investor / specialised talent)Staying long-term · Business visaWho qualifiesAll citizenshipsDuration10 yrs +No direct PR path
  6. 06Residence via company ownership / investor (Green investor visa)Staying long-term · Business visaWho qualifiesAll citizenshipsDuration5 yrs +No direct PR path

02

Getting in

Who can enter United Arab Emirates and on what terms — visa-free windows and entry visas.

01Getting in
Visa-free stayactive

Visa-free entry (90 days / 180)

For: EU citizens, US citizens, UK citizens

Duration
3 months
Path to PR
No

Requirements (3)

03
  1. 01Passport of an eligible visa-waiver country (EU/EEA states, UK, US and many others), valid at least six months
  2. 02Entry stamp on arrival granting up to 90 days within a 180-day period (nationality-dependent; some waiver countries get 90 days per visit)
  3. 03Onward/return arrangements and sufficient funds may be checked
02Getting in
Visa-free stayactive

Visa on arrival (30 days)

For: Ukrainian citizens

Duration
1 months
Path to PR
No

Requirements (3)

03
  1. 01Passport of a nationality eligible for a UAE visa on arrival, valid at least six months
  2. 0230-day entry stamp issued at the port of entry (extendable in-country for some nationalities)
  3. 03For nationalities not on the visa-on-arrival list, a pre-arranged e-visa/tourist visa is required (arranged by airlines, hotels, or ICP/GDRFA)

03

Staying long-term

Grounds for residence — business, employment, special programs — with the conditions to qualify.

03Staying long-term
Digital nomad visaactive

Virtual work (remote work) residence visa

For: All citizenships

Duration
1 year, renewable
Path to PR
No
Family
Included
Income requirement
3,500 USD/month

Requirements (5)

05
  1. 01Passport valid for at least six months
  2. 02Proof of employment with a current contract of one year's validity, OR proof of ownership of a company for one year or more (for the self-employed/business-owner route)
  3. 03Salary certificate of at least USD 3,500/month, or the last three months' bank statements / pay slips as proof
  4. 04Valid UAE-recognised health insurance for the stay
  5. 05Applied via ICP Smart Services (most emirates) or GDRFA Dubai
04Staying long-term
Freelance permitactive

Green visa — freelancer / self-employed

For: All citizenships

Duration
5 years, renewable
Path to PR
No
Family
Included
Income requirement
360,000 AED/year

Requirements (5)

05
  1. 01A freelance / self-employment work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or a free zone
  2. 02Minimum educational level of a bachelor's degree, a specialised diploma, or equivalent (attested)
  3. 03Proof of annual self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 for the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency
  4. 04Valid passport, medical fitness test, and UAE health insurance
  5. 05Applied via the ICP (icp.gov.ae) or, in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (TAMM)
05Staying long-term
Business visaactive

Golden visa — 10-year residence (investor / specialised talent)

For: All citizenships

Duration
10 years, renewable
Path to PR
No
Family
Included

Requirements (4)

04
  1. 01Real-estate investor route: own UAE property worth at least AED 2,000,000 (off-plan, mortgaged and combined title deeds now qualify; for a mortgaged purchase the investor's equity outside the mortgage must reach AED 2,000,000)
  2. 02Public-investment route: a deposit of at least AED 2,000,000 in an accredited UAE investment fund, or a commercial licence with capital of at least AED 2,000,000
  3. 03Skilled-professional / specialised-talent route: employed in the UAE with a MOHRE occupational classification of level 1 or 2, an attested bachelor's degree or equivalent, and a basic monthly salary of at least AED 30,000
  4. 04Valid passport; applied via ICP (icp.gov.ae), GDRFA Dubai (incl. the Dubai Land Department for property investors), or the Abu Dhabi Residents Office
06Staying long-term
Business visaactive

Residence via company ownership / investor (Green investor visa)

For: All citizenships

Duration
5 years, renewable
Path to PR
No
Family
Included

Requirements (4)

04
  1. 01Register a company — a free-zone company (many zones offer freelancer/solo packages) or a mainland LLC (100% foreign ownership permitted for most activities)
  2. 02Obtain a trade/business licence, then apply for the self-sponsored Green visa as an investor/business-partner (5 years, renewable)
  3. 03Valid passport, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and UAE health insurance
  4. 04Applied via ICP (icp.gov.ae), GDRFA, or the Abu Dhabi Residents Office

United Arab Emirates

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