02 / STEP BY STEPHow it works, step by step.
Open any step for the detail.
03 / IN DETAILThe detail that matters.
| Feature | Golden★ Recommended | Green | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10 years | 5 years | 2–3 years |
| Self-sponsored | Yes | Yes | No |
| Sponsor family | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Grace if job ends | 6 months | 6 months | 30–90 days |
| Entry threshold | AED 2M / talent | Skilled / freelance | Job offer |
Self-sponsored, ten years, no employer — the Golden Visa rewrote the social contract for talent and capital in the Gulf.
04 / FROM THE SOURCESWhat the official documents say.
The Golden Visa gives 10 years of renewable UAE residency that you sponsor yourself — you do not need an employer or a local sponsor, and you can stay outside the UAE for long periods without it lapsing.
Property investors qualify by owning real estate worth at least AED 2 million; entrepreneurs, senior professionals, scientists, top students and other categories of talent qualify on their own criteria.
A Golden Visa holder can sponsor their spouse and children — with no age limit for sons — plus domestic staff, keeping the whole family on long-term residency.
For those who do not meet the Golden Visa thresholds, the 5-year Green Visa offers self-sponsored residency for skilled employees, freelancers and investors at lower entry points.
Applications are handled by the ICP and Dubai's GDRFA, and are typically processed within two to four weeks once medical tests and documents are complete.
05 / THE KEY FACTSThe figures, with their sources.
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa duration | 10 years (renewable) | ICP UAE — Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 |
| Property investment threshold for Golden Visa | AED 2,000,000 | ICP UAE |
| Golden Visas issued to date | 200,000+ | UAE ICP |
| Green Visa duration | 5 years (self-sponsored) | ICP UAE |
| Employer required | No — self-sponsored | ICP UAE |
| Family sponsorship | Spouse and children included — no age limit for sons | ICP UAE |
| Typical processing time | 2–4 weeks | ICP UAE |
06 / SOURCES & DOWNLOADSKnow what this guide rests on.
Legal basis: 2 primary source documents. Laws change; verify with the issuing authority before acting.