UAE Green Visa Review

What is the UAE Green Visa?

The Green Visa is a long-term residency permit (5 years) for immigration to the UAE. This visa is issued on a self-sponsorship basis for investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, and freelancers. By obtaining the UAE Green Visa, an individual can apply to work in the UAE without the need for sponsorship from a UAE employer, relying instead on their own financial means.

If the applicant meets the necessary conditions and is issued a green visa, he must go through the necessary processes for issuing a residence permit within a period of 60 days. The UAE green visa is one of the newest visas in this Arab country, which was introduced by the government of the country after welcoming the UAE golden visa. By issuing green visas, the UAE seeks to attract professional workers from all over the world.

Benefits of Obtaining the UAE Green Visa

Overall, obtaining the UAE Green Visa offers numerous benefits. The key advantages of the Green Visa are:

• No Need for a Financial Sponsor for Visa Issuance: The most significant advantage of the Green Visa is the absence of the need for a sponsor or financial supporter in the UAE.
• Long-Term Residency in the UAE: Unlike short-term visas, the Green Visa allows for a 5-year residency in the UAE.
• Family Residency Eligibility: With the Green Visa, it is possible to obtain residency for other family members as well.
• Stay in the UAE for Up to 6 Months After Visa Expiration: Once the visa expires, the individual can remain in the UAE for up to 6 months and apply for a visa renewal.

Requirements for Obtaining the UAE Green Visa

As mentioned, the UAE Green Visa is primarily issued for investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, and freelancers. The requirements for obtaining this visa vary depending on the applicant’s profession. According to the UAE government’s regulations, applicants must meet the following conditions based on their occupation:

An Overview of the UAE Green Visa Application Process

Obtaining a UAE Green Visa involves specific steps. If you are looking to apply for this visa from the UAE government, you must follow the steps below:

1. In the first step, the individual must ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements for the visa. In fact, the person should make sure that they fulfill the criteria of this residency program.
2. In the next step, the applicant must proceed to gather the necessary documents for submitting the Green Visa application.
3. After collecting the documents, the visa application must be submitted through the appropriate channels, such as the UAE Immigration Department or a visa processing center.
4. At this stage, the applicant may be asked to provide biometric data and submit a medical fitness certificate.
5. Once the above steps are completed, UAE authorities will decide on the issuance or rejection of the visa based on the relevant laws and the applicant’s status.

Required Documents for the UAE Green Visa

To apply for the UAE Green Visa, you must submit the required documents to the visa authorities. Any incomplete or missing documents may result in the rejection of your application. The documents required for the Green Visa include:

• Green Visa application form
• Valid passport
• Photo
• Medical fitness certificate
• Valid entry permit
• Green Visa eligibility documents
• Employment certificate
• Rental or property purchase contract
• Dependents’ birth certificates
• Marriage certificate

Important Note: Some documents are not mandatory. For example, if the applicant is applying for their own residency in the UAE, there is no need to submit dependents’ birth certificates or a marriage certificate.

Processing Time for the UAE Green Visa

In general, the processing of the UAE Green Visa application takes a few months. All applications for work in the UAE under the Green Visa must be reviewed by the relevant authorities. Given the UAE government's focus on attracting skilled workers, the applicant’s documents and conditions must be thoroughly and carefully assessed. Therefore, the processing and issuance of Green Visas typically takes around 2 to 3 months.

UAE Green Visa Cost Overview

The cost of obtaining a UAE Green Visa is approximately AED 5,200, which is equivalent to $1,430. In general, the breakdown of the costs for issuing the UAE Green Visa includes the entry permit fee, visa fee, medical examination costs, and other related expenses. The cost of the Green Visa itself is AED 2,200. However, separate fees must be paid for other required documents. Overall, these costs will total around AED 5,200.

Conclusion on Obtaining the UAE Green Visa

Obtaining Dubai visas has become a major concern for many expatriates. The UAE, with its dynamic and growing outlook, has been able to attract many expatriates to live, invest, especially in buying property in Dubai, and pursue career activities. In recent years, the UAE has successfully attracted skilled and experienced individuals by offering various visa types, including the Green Visa and the Golden Visa.