3 routes into United Arab Emirates.
Talent and high skill
United Arab Emirates
Run by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA)
Graduates already working in the UAE in a level 1 or 2 job under the MOHRE classification and earning about AED 30,000 a month. Gives a 10 year residence that does not depend on a sponsor. Read on the Dubai GDRFA page; other emirates may differ.
- Job offer
- Required. You must hold a UAE work permit under a valid employment contract.
- Language
- Not stated on the official page
- Education
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent, recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education.
- Work experience
- Not stated on the official page
- Government fee
- AED 1,100 residence permit fee, plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham and AED 20 delivery. AED 500 extra if applying inside the country. The issuance fee rises by AED 100 for each year over two years.
- Processing time
- 48 hours expected completion time.
- Money you must show
- Monthly salary of at least AED 30,000, shown with 6 months of bank salary transfers. Health insurance for you and your family.
- When and to whom you pay
- To GDRFA Dubai when applying online or at an Amer centre.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on gdrfad.gov.ae on 2026-10-18: "A monthly salary of no less than AED 30,000."; "A certificate of academic achievement, no less than a bachelor's degree."; "The residence permit is valid for 10 years and can be extended if the same conditions are met."; "Residence Permit Fee: AED 1,100."
Work visa
United Arab Emirates
Run by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA)
Graduates working in the UAE in a level 1, 2 or 3 job under the MOHRE classification and earning at least AED 15,000 a month. Gives a 5 year residence without a guarantor or employer sponsor. Read on the Dubai GDRFA page; other emirates may differ.
- Job offer
- Required. You need a UAE work permit under a valid work contract.
- Language
- Not stated on the official page
- Education
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Work experience
- Not stated on the official page
- Government fee
- AED 200 residence permit fee, plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham and AED 20 delivery. AED 500 extra if applying inside the country. The issuance fee rises by AED 100 for each year over two years.
- Processing time
- 48 hours expected completion time.
- Money you must show
- Monthly salary of at least AED 15,000.
- When and to whom you pay
- To GDRFA Dubai when applying.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on gdrfad.gov.ae on 2026-10-18: "The monthly salary shall not be less than (15000) fifteen thousand Dirhams or the equivalent in foreign currencies."; "To be a skilled worker in the first, second or third level of the occupations classification"; "The minimum educational level should be a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent"
Remote work (digital nomad)
United Arab Emirates
Run by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA)
People who work remotely for an employer outside the UAE and earn at least USD 3,500 a month. One year residence, renewable. You can sponsor family for the same period.
- Job offer
- Not needed in the UAE. You must prove remote work for an organisation outside the UAE.
- Language
- Not stated on the official page
- Education
- Not stated on the official page
- Work experience
- Not stated on the official page
- Government fee
- Visa: AED 200 plus 5% VAT. Residence permit: AED 200, plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham, AED 20 delivery, and AED 500 if applying inside the country.
- Processing time
- 48 hours expected completion time.
- Money you must show
- Monthly income of at least USD 3,500 or the equivalent, plus valid health insurance.
- When and to whom you pay
- To GDRFA Dubai when applying online or at an Amer centre.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on gdrfad.gov.ae on 2026-10-18: "The permit applicant provides proof that the work is being done remotely and with an outside organization."; "at least $3,500 (US) per month or the equivalent amount in other currencies."; visa page: "Virtual work visa fee: AED200 Dirhams. Plus VAT (5%)." Another official page.