United Arab Emirates self-employment visa
1 current source-backed self-employment pathway. Verify the responsible authority before applying.
This page contains 1 current route for this destination, with the available eligibility, requirements and duration details.
Source-backed legal route · Checked 2026-08-28
Current route records
| Route | Conditions | Effective or checked | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Green Residency is a self-sponsored five-year renewable residence permit. Freelancers and self-employed applicants need a MoHRE freelancing or self-employment permit, a bachelor's degree, specialised diploma or equivalent, and proof of stable annual income or financial solvency; the page states a minimum freelance income of AED 360,000 in the previous two years. | 2026-07-14 | Official source |
Fees, processing times and requirements
Each value as the authority publishes it, in the currency it charges.
| Route | Fact | Value | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Application fee | 100 AED | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Application fee (issuance) | 500 AED | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Application fee (employed) | 200 AED | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Application fee (issuance, employed) | 500 AED | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Processing time (standard, authority estimate) | 2 days | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | First permit valid for | 60 months | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Can be renewed | yes | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Family can come along | yes | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Money to show | 360,000 AED | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | Where to apply | online | Official source |
Can you work on this route?
Route-specific work rights and conditions stay separate from shortage-list status and individual eligibility.
| Route | Published work answer | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | The exact self-employed section requires a freelance or self-employment permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the stated qualification and financial proof, including at least AED 360,000 annual freelance income during the previous two years. | Official source |
| Green Residency for freelancers and self-employed | The UAE Federal Authority Green Residence Guide states that Green Residence enables holders to live and work in the UAE without a sponsor and expressly includes freelancers and self-employed individuals among the target categories. | Official source |