United Arab Emirates · Permanent residence

Blue Residence

Blue Residence is issued by Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). VisaAI tracks 15 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

  • Granted for exceptional environmental contributionBlue Residence is scoped by the nature of the applicant's contribution rather than by employment or investment alone, and the authority counts contributions made outside the UAE.
    This residence is granted to individuals who make exceptional contributions to environmental protection and sustainability, whether within the UAE or internationally.
  • Ten years, renewable, no sponsorTwice the Green Residence term, and like it requires no sponsoring employer.
    Residence duration: 10 years, renewable, without the need for a sponsor within the UAE.
  • Influencers: financial support of at least AED 1 millionSupport GIVEN by the applicant. Not to be confused with the AED 1 million annual REVENUE figure the page sets for investors — same number, different party, different meaning.
    Provide proof of financial support (of no less than AED 1 million).
  • Scientists: nomination from the UAE Council of ScientistsA nomination the applicant cannot self-issue.
    Obtain a nomination from the UAE Council of Scientists.
  • Scientists: master's or PhD in environmental or energy fieldsThe field is constrained, not only the level.
    Hold a master's degree or PhD in environmental or energy-related fields.
  • Scientists: qualifications from internationally ranked universitiesAn additional constraint on the same qualification.
    The qualifications must be from internationally ranked universities.
  • Scientists: recognised scientific indicators (FWCI or h-index)The authority names the specific metrics it will accept.
    Achieve recognised scientific indicators such as FWCI or h-index.
  • Investors: invest in high-value environmental projectsThe sector is constrained, unlike the Golden Residency's investor route.
    Invest in high-value environmental projects.
  • Investors: capital of at least AED 2 millionThe same headline figure as the Golden Residency investor route, for a differently scoped project.
    Capital of no less than AED 2 million.
  • Investors: the capital must be fully ownedNot financed — the authority states full ownership.
    The capital must be fully owned.
  • Investors: register the project as an SMEUnder the small and medium-sized enterprises category.
    Register the project under the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) category.
  • Investors: annual revenues of at least AED 1 millionRevenue ACHIEVED by the project. The influencer category's AED 1 million is financial support given, which is a different obligation on a different applicant.
    Achieve annual revenues of no less than AED 1 million.

Documents you must provide

  • Influencers: proof of membership in environmental initiativesParticipation as well as membership.
    Provide proof of membership and participation in environmental initiatives.
  • Influencers: recommendation letters and certificates of recognitionAlongside accreditation and award evidence the page also lists.
    Submit recommendation letters and certificates of recognition.
  • Scientists: Scopus reports or evidence of research achievementsDocumentary proof of the indicators above.
    Submit Scopus reports or evidence of research achievements.

Official sources

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

Other United Arab Emirates visas

All United Arab Emirates visa types · Start a free assessment

Blue Residence — United Arab Emirates | VisaAI