Green Visa (Investor/Partner)

The UAE Green Visa for Investors and Partners is a 5-year self-sponsored residence permit for foreign investors who establish or participate in commercial activities in the UAE. Introduced in October 2022 under Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 and Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, it replaced the previous 2-year investor/partner visa model with a longer duration and greater flexibility. The program requires a minimum investment of AED 1,000,000 (approximately USD 272,000) in a licensed UAE business and approval from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) based on an investor classification/rating system. In Dubai, it is also administered by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

• Invest a minimum of AED 1,000,000 in a licensed UAE business
• The investment must be in a public shareholding company, private joint stock company, limited liability company, simple recommendation/partnership company, or solidarity company
• Investments across multiple business licences can be combined to meet the threshold
• ICP approval based on the investor classification/rating system
• Approval from competent local authorities for the business activity
• No educational or professional qualifications required

• Valid passport (6+ months validity)
• Personal photograph (white background, ICP specifications)
• Partnership or memorandum of association, or investment contract
• Valid trade licence
• Proof of capital investment of AED 1,000,000
• Bank statements (personal and corporate accounts) for the past 6 months
• Health insurance documentation
• Police clearance certificate (if requested)

The visa is granted for 5 years and is renewable for another 5 years if the same investment conditions continue to be met. The trade licence must remain valid and the investment must still meet the AED 1,000,000 threshold at the time of renewal. The grace period after expiry or cancellation is 180 days.

Holders may sponsor their spouse, children, and first-degree relatives. Male children may be sponsored up to age 25, and there is no age limit for unmarried daughters. Dependant visas cannot exceed the sponsor's expiry date. Additional documents required for family sponsorship include certified marriage and birth certificates, and health insurance documentation for each dependant.

The UAE does not levy personal income tax. A 9% corporate tax applies to business profits exceeding AED 375,000, and 5% VAT applies to goods and services. Holders residing 183+ days may apply for a Tax Residency Certificate from the Federal Tax Authority.

Applications begin with obtaining a business entry visa through the GDRFA smart services portal (smart.gdrfad.gov.ae) or ICP portal (icp.gov.ae) using UAE Pass, or in person at Amer Service Centers or Customer Happiness Centers. The entry visa allows the applicant to remain in the UAE for 60 days while completing residency formalities.

Fees via GDRFA Dubai include an AED 200 base fee plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham, AED 500 in-country processing fee (if inside UAE), and 5% VAT for the entry visa. The residence permit issuance carries an AED 200 base plus the same Knowledge and Innovation Dirhams, AED 500 in-country processing, AED 20 delivery, and an AED 100 surcharge whenever the residency period exceeds two years. With medical fitness, Emirates ID, and typing charges, total residence permit costs are approximately AED 2,000–3,000.

Entry visa processing takes approximately 48 hours via digital channels, with the full residence permit process taking 2–4 weeks. Upon entry, applicants must complete medical fitness testing, biometric registration, and Emirates ID issuance within the 60-day entry visa validity.

• The ICP investor classification/rating system means meeting the AED 1,000,000 threshold alone does not guarantee approval; the investment is evaluated against the published classification framework
• The company must be registered as one of five specified legal forms
• Free zone companies may have different requirements depending on the specific free zone authority
• Holders must maintain a valid trade licence and meet ongoing business registration requirements
• Separate MOHRE work permits are required for employment outside the scope of the trade licence
• Investors with AED 2,000,000+ may consider the 10-year Golden Visa, which offers longer duration and more favourable absence rules
• Overstay fines are AED 50 per day after the 180-day grace period
• ICP announced new and amended visa categories on 29 September 2025; the Green Visa for investors/partners was not among the affected categories and its eligibility, duration, fees, and conditions remain unchanged