UAE Green and Golden visas for skilled employees

GDRFA Dubai requires a high-level skilled worker permit from MOHRE issued under an approved employment contract (or employment with a government, semi-government or free-zone entity), an occupation in skill level 1, 2 or 3, at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and a salary of AED 15,000 or more a month.

The Green visa is self-sponsored, so it does not lapse automatically with each job change in the same way a standard employer-sponsored visa does. GDRFA advises not to cancel your current residence until MOHRE has issued the green permit.

ICP lists a specialised professionals category: a valid UAE work permit under an approved contract, at least a bachelor's degree, a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 and health insurance for the applicant and family. The Abu Dhabi Residents Office adds that the job must be MOHRE level 1 (managers and executives) or level 2 (professionals in science, engineering, health, education, IT, law and similar fields).

In Abu Dhabi, ADRO asks for the approved contract, proof of the level, the attested degree, any required practising licence, six months of UAE bank statements showing the salary and a recent salary certificate.

For the Green visa, GDRFA Dubai charges AED 200 plus VAT for the entry visa, with an extra AED 520 if the applicant is inside the country; expected completion is 48 hours. Residence, Emirates ID and medical fees follow.

GDRFA lists AED 1,100 as the Golden residence permit fee, plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham, AED 500 in-country fee and AED 20 delivery; the fee rises by AED 100 for each year beyond two.

Start with your employer: the MOHRE skilled worker permit must exist first. Then apply for the Green visa through GDRFA Dubai or ICP Smart Services. For the Golden route, check eligibility on the ICP Smart Services platform, or in Abu Dhabi request nomination through ADRO, and apply via ICP.

If you are outside the UAE when Golden residence is approved, ICP issues a six-month multiple-entry visa, renewable once for six months, to complete the procedures.

Green visa holders can sponsor first-degree relatives according to the UAE government portal. Golden visa holders can sponsor a spouse and children regardless of age, as well as parents, and their family can remain until their permits expire if the holder dies.

Family members over 18 still need the UAE medical fitness test and Emirates ID.