Quick Answer: Green Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored visa for skilled workers and freelancers (AED 3,500-5,500 total). Golden Visa is a 10-year visa for investors and high earners (AED 8,000-15,000 + investment). Choose Green if you’re a professional earning AED 15,000+/month. Choose Golden if you can invest AED 2M+ or earn AED 30,000+/month in a specialized field.

If you’re looking to settle in the UAE long-term without depending on an employer to sponsor you, you’ve probably come across these two options: Green Visa and Golden Visa. Both let you sponsor yourself, both allow you to stay for years, and both sound pretty appealing. So what’s the actual difference?

Here’s the quick version: the Golden Visa offers longer validity and prestige but requires significant investment or high income, while the Green Visa is more accessible, easier to obtain, and designed for skilled professionals seeking independence.

Let me break down how they compare so you can determine which option makes sense for your situation.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Before we dive into details, here’s the quick overview:

Understanding the application process can be straightforward, giving you confidence that both Green and Golden Visas are accessible options tailored to your needs.

Green Visa: The Details

The Green Visa, launched in 2022, aims to attract skilled talent by allowing self-sponsorship and work flexibility without employer dependency, making it ideal for professionals seeking independence.

Who Can Get a Green Visa?

There are three main categories:

1. Skilled Employees

If you’re employed in the UAE and meet these requirements, you can apply:

• Minimum salary of AED 15,000 per month
• Job classified as skill level 1, 2, or 3 by MOHRE
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (or specialized diploma)
• Valid employment contract

2. Freelancers / Self-Employed

For those working independently:

• Freelance permit from MOHRE (costs AED 6,000-10,000 separately)
• Annual income of at least AED 360,000 over the previous 2 years
• Or proof of financial solvency to support yourself during your stay
• Bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma

3. Investors / Entrepreneurs

Smaller-scale business owners:

• Approved partner or investor in a commercial or industrial project
• Valid trade license and business documentation
• No minimum investment threshold (unlike Golden Visa)

Green Visa Costs

Here’s what you’ll actually pay:

If you’re applying as a freelancer, add another AED 6,000-10,000 for the MOHRE freelance permit. So freelancers are looking at roughly AED 10,000-15,000 all-in to get started.

Green Visa Benefits

• Self-sponsorship: No employer or UAE national is needed to sponsor you
• Job flexibility: Change employers without visa complications
• Family sponsorship: Bring spouse, children (up to 25), and first-degree relatives
• 6-month grace period: If your visa is cancelled, you have 6 months to find a new sponsor or leave
• No investment required: Just need to meet salary/income criteria

Golden Visa: The Details

The Golden Visa, launched in 2019, symbolizes long-term stability and success, making high-income professionals and investors feel recognized and valued.

Since its launch, the UAE has issued over 150,000 Golden Visas, making it highly popular, especially among property investors and high-income professionals.

Who Can Get a Golden Visa?

The eligibility criteria are more demanding than the Green Visa, but there are multiple pathways:

1. Real Estate Investors

The most popular route. Requirements:

• Purchase property worth at least AED 2 million (about USD 545,000)
• Property must be wholly owned or at least 50% paid off if mortgaged
• Can combine multiple properties to reach the threshold
• Off-plan properties may qualify if the developer is approved

2. Bank Deposit / Investment

For those who prefer liquid investments:

• Deposit AED 2 million in a UAE bank for at least 2 years
• Or invest AED 2 million in an accredited UAE investment fund

3. Professionals / Specialized Talents

High earners in skilled fields can qualify without investment:

• Monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 (some sources say AED 50,000 for executives)
• Work in a ‘priority field’ (tech, medicine, engineering, science, education)
• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Valid UAE employment contract

4. Entrepreneurs

• Own a tech or innovative project worth at least AED 500,000
• Approved by a UAE business incubator (MBRIF, Hub71, etc.)
• Audited financial statements and a valid trade license

5. Other Categories

The UAE has expanded Golden Visa eligibility to include:

• Outstanding students and graduates (top university performers)
• Scientists and researchers nominated by approved institutions
• Athletes and artists endorsed by the UAE sports/cultural authorities
• Humanitarian contributors (including charity donors)
• Content creators and influencers (via Creators HQ program)
• Nurses with 15+ years of service in Dubai Health

Golden Visa Costs

The visa processing itself isn’t cheap, and that’s before any investment:

Plus the investment itself: AED 2 million minimum for the property or deposit route. So realistically, you’re looking at AED 2 million+ to get a Golden Visa through investment, or just AED 8,000-15,000 if you qualify through the professional/salary route.

Golden Visa Benefits

• 10-year validity: Double the Green Visa duration
• Self-sponsorship: Complete independence from employers
• Family sponsorship: Spouse, children, and domestic helpers
• Stay outside the UAE: Can stay abroad for extended periods without losing visa
• Full business ownership: 100% ownership without a local partner requirement
• Consular services: 24/7 emergency assistance when abroad (new in 2025)
• 6-month grace period: Same as Green Visa after cancellation

Which One Should You Choose?

Let’s cut through the confusion. Here’s how to decide:

Choose Green Visa If:

• You earn AED 15,000-30,000/month and want independence from employers
• You’re a freelancer with a steady income but no significant investment capital
• You want to test the UAE long-term without committing AED 2 million
• You’re a skilled employee who might change jobs and doesn’t want visa hassle each time
• You want the shortest path to self-sponsored residency

Choose Golden Visa If:

• You’re buying property worth AED 2M+ anyway (might as well get 10 years)
• You earn AED 30,000+/month in a specialized field
• You want maximum long-term stability (10 years vs 5)
• You travel frequently and want flexibility to stay outside the UAE longer
• You’re an investor or entrepreneur with capital to deploy
• The prestige factor matters to you (Golden Visa carries more weight)

The Upgrade Path

Here’s something people often overlook: you can start with a Green Visa and upgrade to a Golden Visa later. If your income increases from AED 15,000 to AED 30,000+, or you buy a property worth AED 2 million, you become eligible for a Golden Visa. So Green Visa can be a stepping stone while you build up to Golden Visa eligibility.

Application Process Comparison

Both visas are processed through ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship) or GDRFA (for Dubai specifically). The steps are similar:

Step 1: Verify eligibility and gather documents (passport, qualifications, proof of income/investment, photos)

Step 2: Apply online via the ICP or GDRFA portal, or through an Amer center

Step 3: Pay processing fees

Step 4: Complete medical fitness test

Step 5: Biometrics for Emirates ID

Step 6: Receive visa and Emirates ID

Green Visa processing typically takes 2-3 weeks. The Golden Visa process takes 3-4 weeks due to additional eligibility verification, especially for investment-based applications.

Official Resources

ICP Portal: icp.gov.ae   Main portal for all UAE residency visas

GDRFA Dubai: gdrfad.gov.ae  Dubai-specific applications

MOHRE: mohre.gov.ae  Freelance permits and work classifications

UAE Government: u.ae   Official visa information

Disclaimer: Visa requirements and fees change periodically. The UAE expanded the categories of the Golden Visa in late 2025; always verify current eligibility criteria with official sources before applying.

Last Updated: February 2026