United Arab Emirates · Work

Green Residence

Green Residence is issued by Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). VisaAI tracks 11 official requirements for it, each traced to the government page that states it.

Last verified against the official source on .

VisaAI is not a government body and does not issue visas. It cannot decide, predict or guarantee the outcome of an application, and this page is not legal or immigration advice.

Requirements change. Confirm every item on Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)’s own page before you apply.

Each requirement below is written in plain English by VisaAI. The indented text beneath it is quoted from Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)’s own page, so you can check what we say against what they say. Where a quotation shows “ ... ”, text has been left out.

Conditions you must meet

  • Five years, renewable, no sponsorGreen Residence runs for five years with the option of renewal and, unlike most UAE work residences, does not require a sponsoring employer.
    Green Residence is one of the UAE’s long-term residence categories. It is granted for a period of five years, with the option of renewal, and enables holders to live and work in the UAE without the need for a sponsor.
  • Skilled workers: a valid UAE employment contractThe first of four conditions for the skilled-worker category.
    The applicant must have a valid employment contract within the UAE.
  • Skilled workers: occupational classification levels 1–3Against the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's approved classification.
    A professional classification from levels 1 to 3, in accordance with the approved occupational classification of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
  • Skilled workers: bachelor's degree or higherThe authority states a floor, not a specific field.
    Hold a qualification of no less than a bachelor's degree.
  • Skilled workers: AED 15,000 monthly minimumA monthly figure, and it applies to the skilled-worker category only.
    Meet a minimum monthly salary requirement of AED 15,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies.
  • Freelancers: a freelance or self-employment permitIssued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
    Hold a freelance work permit or a self-employment permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
  • Freelancers: bachelor's degree, specialised diploma or equivalentA wider qualification floor than the skilled-worker category allows.
    Hold a qualification of no less than a bachelor's degree, specialised diploma, or equivalent.
  • Freelancers: AED 360,000 annual income over the previous two yearsAn ANNUAL figure covering the previous two years — distinct from the skilled-worker monthly salary, and not interchangeable with it.
    The annual income from freelance work during the previous two years must not be less than AED 360,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies.
  • Investors and business partners: required licences and approvalsFrom the relevant authorities; the page does not enumerate which.
    Obtain the necessary licences and approvals from the relevant authorities.

Documents you must provide

  • Freelancers: proof of stable income or financial solvencyRequired for the whole period of residence, not only at application.
    Provide proof of stable annual income or financial solvency throughout the period of residence in the UAE.
  • Investors and business partners: proof of investmentEither an investment or a contribution to a business venture in the UAE.
    Provide proof of investment or contribution to a business venture within the UAE.

Official sources

  • Green Residence Guide — Official page, Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)

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