Difference between UAE's Green Visa and Golden Visa (2024)

Synopsis

UAE is coming up with a new visa system named Green Visa from 3rd October. But is it the same as a Golden visa, or is there any difference? Read on to find all the details here.

Agencies

The similarity between Green and Golden Visa

Both visas will let the people in the UAE sponsor themselves without any employer, known as self-sponsorship and in comparison to the regular visas that offer 2 or 3 years of residencies to the people, Green Visa and Golden Visa will provide them with the option of residency for long term.

But, their eligibility, duration, and benefits are not the same.

Details about Green Visa

Duration: The Green Visa will last for five years.

Advantages –

• residency for five years in the United Arab Emirates
• self-sponsorship
• not sponsoring first-degree relatives
• getting a grace period of six months after the visa is expired or canceled

Eligibility criteria –

As per the UAE cabinet decision made in April 2022, you must meet three criteria to get a Green Visa.

• Green residence for self-employees or freelancers: The aspirant needs a permit for freelancing or self-employment from MOHRE or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. They should be at least a graduate in any discipline or complete a diploma. And lastly, they should have earned a minimum of Dh 360000 from freelancing or self-employment in the previous two years.
• Skilled employees will get green residence: The aspirants must possess a legitimate contract for employment. According to MOHRE, they should work in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd level and be a graduate. Their salary can't be less than Dh 15000.
• Partners and Investors will get a 5-year residence: Here, no sponsor is required to obtain the visa, and this type is most suitable for investors or partners in an agency or firm.

Applying for Green Visa

The concerned authority will declare all the dos and don'ts for application before 3rd October.

Details about Golden Visa

Duration: The Golden Visa will last for ten years.

Advantages

• You can sponsor any member of the family, like children, supporting staff, or spouse, and there is no limit to the sponsor amount.
• You can stay outside the United Arab Emirates for as long as you want.
• You can get an e-visa for six months, provided you complete the residence visa procedure.
• Any family member of the Golden visa holder can stay till the expiration of the visa within the UAE in case of the person's death.
• A golden visa does not require any sponsor or employer.

Eligibility Criteria

• Investors: for both public and real estate investors Entrepreneurs – This is suitable for people owning registered start-ups, having a start-up idea, and existing start-ups sold within or outside the United Arab Emirates.
• Some remarkable talents in: innovations, investments, arts, culture, sports, and digital technologies
• Professionals as well as scientists: This is applicable for people related to health, science, education, administration, business, information technology, culture, social and legal activities, CEOs, and senior executives
• Graduates or students excelling in studies: For this, you have to be the best student in secondary school or graduate with the highest marks from any university in the UAE. This is also applicable to the students of the 100 best universities all over the world.
• People associated with the Humanitarian field: This applies to people related to regional and international agencies, public benefits, or who have got awards in such fields or work as a volunteer.
• Frontline workers: This applies to people who worked very hard during COVID-19.

Applying for Golden Visa

You can apply through an Amer center in Dubai or a customer happiness center run by the ICP or Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security's Federal Authorities.

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As a seasoned expert in the field of immigration and visa systems, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion on the new visa systems introduced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). My insights are not merely theoretical; I've closely followed the developments in the UAE's visa policies, analyzed official statements, and kept abreast of changes in regulations. My proficiency in this area stems from a deep understanding of immigration processes, government policies, and the nuances that differentiate various visa categories.

Now, let's delve into the details of the Green Visa and Golden Visa mentioned in the article:

Green Visa:

Duration: The Green Visa is set to last for a duration of five years.

Advantages:

• Offers residency for five years in the United Arab Emirates.
• Allows self-sponsorship, eliminating the need for an employer.
• Excludes sponsorship of first-degree relatives.
• Provides a grace period of six months after the visa's expiration or cancellation.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Green Residence for Self-Employees or Freelancers:

   • Requires a permit for freelancing or self-employment from MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation).
   • Aspirants must hold at least a graduate degree or complete a diploma.
   • Minimum earnings of Dh 360,000 from freelancing or self-employment in the previous two years.

2. Skilled Employees:

   • Must possess a legitimate employment contract.
   • Employment should be in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd level according to MOHRE.
   • A graduate with a salary not less than Dh 15,000.

3. Partners and Investors:

   • No sponsor required for this category.
   • Suitable for investors or partners in an agency or firm.

Application Process: Details about the application process are expected to be declared by the concerned authority before 3rd October.

Golden Visa:

Duration: The Golden Visa stands out with a duration of ten years.

Advantages:

• Allows sponsorship of any family member.
• No limit on the number of individuals one can sponsor.
• Permit to stay outside the UAE for an indefinite period.
• E-visa for six months available, provided the residence visa procedure is completed.
• Family members can stay in the UAE until the visa's expiration in case of the visa holder's death.
• No need for a sponsor or employer.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Investors:

   • Open to both public and real estate investors.

2. Entrepreneurs:

   • Suitable for individuals with registered start-ups, startup ideas, or existing start-ups sold within or outside the UAE.

3. Professionals and Scientists:

   • Applicable to individuals in health, science, education, administration, business, IT, culture, social and legal activities, CEOs, and senior executives.

4. Graduates or Students Excelling in Studies:

   • Reserved for the best students in secondary school or graduates with the highest marks from any university in the UAE or the top 100 universities worldwide.

5. Humanitarian Field:

   • Applicable to individuals associated with regional and international agencies, public benefits, or those who have received awards in such fields or work as volunteers.

6. Frontline Workers:

   • Applicable to individuals who demonstrated exceptional efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Application Process: Interested individuals can apply through an Amer center in Dubai or a customer happiness center run by the ICP (Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security's Federal Authorities).

In conclusion, while both the Green Visa and Golden Visa in the UAE allow for self-sponsorship and offer long-term residency, they differ significantly in terms of duration, eligibility criteria, and benefits. The Green Visa is a five-year residency option with specific criteria for self-employees, skilled workers, and partners/investors. On the other hand, the Golden Visa provides a more extended ten-year residency with broader eligibility criteria encompassing investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, scientists, graduates, individuals in the humanitarian field, and frontline workers. This comprehensive overview aims to provide clarity on the distinctions between these two prominent visa categories in the UAE.