Talent and high skill United Arab Emirates
Golden Residence for skilled professionals (Dubai)
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.
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."