Gulf News published a detailed explainer on 23 June outlining eligibility, document check-lists and fee structures for Dubai’s Green Visa programme. The five-year residence permit, introduced in 2022, targets three groups: skilled employees classified by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (skill levels 1–3), self-employed professionals and investors/partners in commercial entities. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000. Key benefits highlighted include the right to sponsor first-degree relatives and a six-month grace period after visa cancellation — double the standard period — giving assignees more flexibility to wrap up affairs or search for new roles. Applications can be filed online via the GDRFA Dubai portal or at Amer service centres.
![Step-by-step guide released for skilled professionals applying for the UAE five-year Green Visa]()
Alternatively, applicants who prefer expert assistance can turn to VisaHQ, which provides step-by-step support from document preparation to final submission, ensuring compliance with all Green Visa requirements. Their dedicated UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers up-to-date guidance and lets individuals or corporates manage multiple applications through a single secure dashboard, saving HR teams considerable time and effort.
The base application fee is AED 200 plus VAT; in-country conversions incur an additional AED 500 alongside Knowledge and Innovation Dirham levies. For global-mobility teams, the Green Visa provides a mid-point between short two-year employment visas and the 10-year Golden Visa. It suits project-based hires, freelancers supporting UAE entities and regional managers who want longer stability without tying residency to a single employer. HR should note that existing residence visas should remain active until Green Visa approval to avoid status gaps. The article advises compiling salary certificates or bank statements, MOHRE work permits and colour passport copies valid for six months. Processing times average one to two weeks, but peak-season volumes can extend this. Dependants can be sponsored once the principal permit is issued, subject to standard medical and Emirates ID procedures. In practice, companies can use the Green Visa to retain high-performing consultants or to entice talent wary of traditional employer-bound sponsorships. The longer grace period also eases termination risk, giving staff confidence to accept UAE assignments during an uncertain geopolitical climate.
Alternatively, applicants who prefer expert assistance can turn to VisaHQ, which provides step-by-step support from document preparation to final submission, ensuring compliance with all Green Visa requirements. Their dedicated UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers up-to-date guidance and lets individuals or corporates manage multiple applications through a single secure dashboard, saving HR teams considerable time and effort.
The base application fee is AED 200 plus VAT; in-country conversions incur an additional AED 500 alongside Knowledge and Innovation Dirham levies. For global-mobility teams, the Green Visa provides a mid-point between short two-year employment visas and the 10-year Golden Visa. It suits project-based hires, freelancers supporting UAE entities and regional managers who want longer stability without tying residency to a single employer. HR should note that existing residence visas should remain active until Green Visa approval to avoid status gaps. The article advises compiling salary certificates or bank statements, MOHRE work permits and colour passport copies valid for six months. Processing times average one to two weeks, but peak-season volumes can extend this. Dependants can be sponsored once the principal permit is issued, subject to standard medical and Emirates ID procedures. In practice, companies can use the Green Visa to retain high-performing consultants or to entice talent wary of traditional employer-bound sponsorships. The longer grace period also eases termination risk, giving staff confidence to accept UAE assignments during an uncertain geopolitical climate.
