UAE Green Residence Visa: How to apply for the freelance, self-employed visa

The 5-year Green Residence visa can be issued for employees of both the government and private sector provided that they are freelancers, self-employed or skilled employees.

Here is all you need to know about the UAE Green Residence visa:

Eligibility

Freelancers and self-employed individuals: To qualify for the Green Residence visa, freelancers or self-employed individuals must hold a bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma and possess a freelance permit or self-employment permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

Additionally, they must demonstrate an annual income of at least AED360,000 for two years or prove financial solvency throughout their stay in the country.

Skilled employees: Skilled employees seeking the Green Residence visa must provide a valid employment contract, fall within the first, second or third occupational level classification according to MoHRE, hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, and earn a minimum monthly salary of AED15,000.

Investors or partners: Investors or partners must obtain approval for their investment and provide proof of their investment activities, along with approval from the relevant local authorities.

Green Residence visa benefits

The Green Residence visa offers several benefits, including:

• The ability to sponsor children, spouses, and first-degree relatives.
• The option to sponsor male children up to the age of 25 (previously 18 years), with no age limit for unmarried daughters.
• Special provisions for children of determination (those with special needs), granting them a residence permit, regardless of their age.
• A grace period of six months for overstay after visa cancellation or expiration.
• Eligibility for overseas applicants to receive a 60-day entry work permit to facilitate the visa process.

Green Residence visa application process

Applicants for the Green Residence visa can follow these steps for the application process:

1. Download the GDRFA-Dubai application from authorized stores (Apple Store/Play Store) or visit www.gdrfad.gov.ae.
2. Register a new user account if one is not already registered.
3. Select the desired service, “Issuance of entry permit for green residence under Entry Permissions.”
4. Choose the relevant subcategory: skilled worker, investor, partner, or freelance work.
5. Attach the necessary documents.
6. Pay the applicable service fees.
7. Submit the request.

Applicants will receive notifications via text message and email regarding their application status. If any required documents are missing, applicants will be informed and given a 30-day window to upload the necessary documents; otherwise, the request will be automatically canceled.

Additionally, applicants can also apply for the UAE’s Golden Visa through AMER Centres by following these steps:

1. Visit one of the service branches of the Amer Centres.
2. Select the desired service at the reception.
3. Submit the required documents to the service employee.
4. Document verification.
5. Pay the service fees.
6. Submit the application.