UAE Visa Eligibility Checker

The Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa (5 or 10 years) that allows foreign nationals to live, work, and study in the UAE without a national sponsor. Eligible categories include investors (AED 2M+), entrepreneurs, specialized talents, researchers, outstanding students, and executives earning AED 30,000+ monthly.

The Green Visa requires a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000 or equivalent. It's a 5-year self-sponsored residence visa for skilled employees, freelancers, and investors or partners in commercial activities.

Yes. The Golden Visa, Green Visa, Freelancer Visa, and Investor Visa all offer self-sponsorship. You don't need an employer to sponsor your residence. The Freelancer Visa requires registering with a free zone, while the Green Visa requires meeting minimum salary or qualification thresholds.

Costs vary by visa type. A standard employment visa costs AED 3,000–7,000 (employer-sponsored). The Golden Visa costs AED 2,800–5,000. The Green Visa costs AED 2,200–3,500. Freelancer Visas cost AED 7,500–20,000 (including free zone license). All costs are approximate and subject to change.

Common requirements include: valid passport (6+ months validity), passport-sized photos, educational certificates (attested), employment contract or business license, Emirates ID application, medical fitness certificate, and health insurance. Golden Visa applicants may also need salary certificates, investment proof, or patent documentation.

Yes, in most cases you can change your visa status from within the UAE without leaving the country. You'll need to apply through the appropriate channel (employer sponsorship, free zone, or self-sponsorship) and complete the standard visa process including medical fitness and Emirates ID.

The Freelancer Visa requires obtaining a freelance permit from a UAE free zone (e.g., Dubai Media City, twofour54, Fujairah Creative City). The free zone provides a trade license, and you can then apply for a residence visa. It allows you to work independently without an employer and sponsor your family.

Standard employment visas take 2–4 weeks. The Golden Visa typically takes 2–4 weeks after document submission. The Green Visa takes 2–3 weeks. Freelancer Visas take 2–6 weeks depending on the free zone. Processing times can vary based on document completeness and authority workload.

To sponsor your family (spouse and children) in the UAE, you generally need a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 + accommodation provided by employer). You must also have adequate housing and health insurance for all sponsored dependents.

Not always. A standard employment visa doesn't strictly require a degree — it depends on your job category and employer requirements. However, the Golden Visa for specialized talents typically requires a bachelor's degree minimum (PhD preferred). The Green Visa may accept professional experience in lieu of formal education for certain categories.

The UAE Remote Working Visa (Virtual Working Programme) allows foreign nationals to live in the UAE while working remotely for an employer or running a business based outside the country. It requires a minimum monthly income of USD 3,500 (employees) or USD 5,000 (business owners), valid health insurance with UAE coverage, and a clean criminal record. The visa is valid for 1 year and can be renewed.