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.

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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:

Feature	Green Visa	Golden Visa
Validity	5 years	10 years (some 5-year options)
Total Cost	AED 3,500-5,500	AED 8,000-15,000 + investment
Minimum Investment	None required	AED 2 million (property/deposit)
Salary Requirement	AED 15,000/month (skilled worker)	AED 30,000/month (professional route)
Self-Sponsored	Yes	Yes
Family Sponsorship	Yes (spouse, children, parents)	Yes (spouse, children, domestic staff)
Grace Period After Expiry	6 months	6 months
Sponsor Children Up To	Age 25	Age 25
Processing Time	2-3 weeks	3-4 weeks
Best For	Skilled workers, freelancers	Investors, high-income professionals

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:

Fee Component	Amount (AED)
Application Fee	2,000-2,500
Residence Permit (5 years)	500-1,000
Emirates ID (5 years)	1,000-1,500
Medical Test	320-500
Inside Country Fee (if applicable)	500
Admin/Smart Services Fees	100-200
TOTAL	3,500-5,500

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:

Fee Component	Amount (AED)
Application Fee (inside UAE)	2,800-3,800
Application Fee (outside UAE)	3,800-4,800
Emirates ID (10 years)	1,000-1,500
Medical Test	300-800
Health Insurance (annual)	1,500-20,000
Document Attestation	500-2,000
Service/Admin Fees	500-1,000
TOTAL (processing only)	8,000-15,000

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between the Green and Golden Visas?

The Green Visa is valid for 5 years for skilled workers/freelancers with no investment required. The Golden Visa is valid for 10 years for investors and high earners and requires either an AED 2M investment or a salary of AED 30K+ per month.

Which visa is cheaper?

Green Visa costs AED 3,500-5,500 total. Golden Visa processing costs AED 8,000-15,000, plus any investment requirement. For the professional route (no investment), the Golden Visa is only slightly more expensive.

Can I sponsor my family with both visas?

Yes. Both allow sponsorship of spouse and children up to age 25. Green Visa also allows first-degree relatives. Golden Visa allows domestic staff. Both give family members the same visa duration.

What’s the minimum salary for a Green Visa?

AED 15,000/month for skilled employees. Freelancers need to show an AED 360,000 annual income over the previous 2 years.

Can I upgrade from Green to Golden Visa?

Yes. If your income increases to AED 30,000+/month in a skilled field, or you buy property worth AED 2M+, you can apply for a Golden Visa.

Which visa is better for freelancers?

If you earn less than AED 30,000/month, the Green Visa is your option. If you earn AED 30,000+ (AED 360,000+/year), you can qualify for a Golden Visa.

Do I need to stay in the UAE to keep my visa valid?

Green Visa holders should not stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months at a time. Golden Visa holders have greater flexibility and can remain abroad longer without losing their visa status.

What happens if my visa is cancelled?

Both visas give you a 6-month grace period to find a new sponsor, change status, or leave the UAE.

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

Green Visa vs Golden Visa: Which is Right for You?