As part of the changes implemented to its existing visa system, the UAE recently launched the Green Visa. If you are someone who wants to work in the UAE and grow your career amidst such excellent opportunities, this new type of visa can be of your interest.
The UAE Green Visa, a new visa in the residency category of the country, can enable you as a visa holder to sponsor yourself and your family members for up to 5 years. You can now easily apply for the visa without being required to associate yourself with any UAE-based companies or individuals concerning sponsorship under this visa.
This is not all, with the UAE Green Visa benefits extending to the families of the visa holders as well. To help you take advantage of these (and more) features and apply for the visa, we will discuss all of its relevant aspects such as Green Visa UAE cost, eligibility criteria, and more.
As per the latest reports, here’s a general breakdown of the UAE Green Visa cost –
Fee | Cost |
---|---|
Visa | AED 2,280 |
ID | AED 575 |
Medical | AED 320 |
Total Green Visa UAE Cost | AED 3,175 |
Note: The fees discussed above are general – actual fees would depend on various factors related to the applicant, category, family members, and more
Individuals who can apply for the UAE Green Visa include self-employed workers or freelancers, investors or partners in commercial businesses, or highly skilled professionals. Furthermore, self-employed individuals who are based in the UAE and abroad working in the fields of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital currencies are also encouraged to apply for a freelancer visa.
Discussed below are the criteria for individuals to apply for the UAE Green Visa –
The primary requirement for freelancers or self-employed individuals to apply for the UAE’s Green Visa is an annual income of at least AED 360,000 for the past two years.
As an applicant, you would have to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for your self-employment or freelance to apply for the Green Visa. The minimum educational level requirement for this visa is a bachelor’s degree or a specialised diploma. Lastly, you should be able to prove your financial solvency for your entire stay in the UAE.
If you are applying for a Green Visa UAE under this category, you would be eligible only if you have a salary of at least AED 15,000 per month. You must also have the education qualification of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
Keep in mind that you would be required to obtain a valid employment contract before applying for the Green Visa. Lastly, you must be a first, second, or third-level professional as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
You can also apply for a Green Visa UAE if you are an investor and looking for avenues to invest in the emirates. To apply for this visa, you must have approval from the relevant authorities and proof of your investment. Regarding the latter, you would also need to obtain the approval of the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) for your investment (based on the rating system applicable to your profile and investment).
Furthermore, if you have multiple licences, the total invested capital would have to be calculated and declared in your case.
The benefits of a UAE Green Visa are plenty in terms of the tenure of the stay, sponsorship requirements, residence of family members in the UAE, and more.
With this visa, you can easily sponsor residency permits for your family members, including spouses, children, and first-degree relatives. Moreover, as a parent, you can sponsor your sons up to the age of 25 (the new visa system does not impose any such restrictions on the age of daughters). Keep in mind that the duration of residency for the family members shall remain the same as you.
This new visa system also allows Green Visa holders to stay in UAE for up to 6 months after their visa has expired or been cancelled. Similarly, individuals from overseas planning on acquiring a Green Visa will be eligible for an entry work permit for 60 days. This can provide them with an adequate window to complete the application process once they arrive in the Emirates.
The Green Visa UAE offers a number of benefits such as family sponsorship, work permit, extension of your period of stay in case your visa has been cancelled or expired, and more