The Green visa in the UAE is a 5-year residence that you sponsor yourself, without depending on an employer or a local sponsor. It suits skilled employees and investors or business partners who want more stability than a 2-year work visa. Wordcraft checks which Green visa route fits, attests your documents and files with ICP or GDRFA until the visa and Emirates ID are issued.
The Two Green Visa Routes We Handle
Most of our Green visa clients fall into one of two groups:
- Skilled employees: a valid employment contract, at least a bachelor's degree (attested), a job classified in one of the higher MOHRE skill levels, and a minimum salary set by the authorities (confirmed at application).
- Investors and business partners: proof of investment in a UAE company, such as a trade license and memorandum of association showing your share, with the required investment value confirmed at application.
ICP updates the salary and investment figures for this visa periodically. We hold your contract or company papers against the current figure before any fee is paid, and the official summary is on ICP and u.ae.
Green Visa or Golden Visa: Which Fits You
| Green visa | Golden visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 5 years, renewable | 10 years, renewable |
| Sponsor | Self-sponsored | Self-sponsored |
| Main routes | Skilled employees, investors and partners | Property (AED 2M), professionals (AED 30,000 salary), investors, talent |
| Family | Spouse and children, under the conditions in force | Spouse, children and often parents |
If you are close to the Golden visa conditions, it is usually worth checking that route first. See our Golden visa services for the categories.
Documents for a Green Visa Application
- Passport valid for at least six months and a recent photo
- Current visa and Emirates ID, if you already live in the UAE
- Employees: employment contract, salary certificate and an attested degree (we handle degree certificate attestation for more than 50 countries)
- Investors and partners: trade license, memorandum of association and proof of the investment
- Valid health insurance
- For family members: passports, photos, attested marriage and birth certificates, with Arabic legal translation where required
How a Green Visa File Moves
- Route check: send your passport and contract or license on WhatsApp; we confirm whether the employee or investor route fits.
- Quote: your written quote arrives within 10–30 minutes and shows the Green visa fees and our charge line by line.
- Attestation: your degree and family certificates are attested and translated; we pick up the originals at no cost.
- Application: we file through ICP, or GDRFA for Dubai residents, and track it online.
- Medical and biometrics: appointments booked near you, with the medical test only where the authority requires it.
- Visa issued: the 5-year residence is recorded and your Emirates ID is delivered.
Sponsoring Family on a Green Visa
Green visa holders can sponsor their spouse and children; the conditions for children can differ from a standard residence visa and are confirmed at application. Each family member needs a passport, photo and an attested relationship document. Read our family visa page for the family-side checklist; if your company route fits better, compare it with the investor visa.
Last checked: 29 September 2026 against ICP guidance on the 5-year Green visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the UAE Green visa valid?
The Green visa is issued for 5 years and can be renewed if you still meet the conditions of your route.
What salary do I need for a Green visa?
The minimum salary is set by the authorities and updated from time to time. We confirm the current figure at application, together with the skill-level condition.
Can I change jobs on a Green visa?
Yes. Because the visa is self-sponsored, it is not cancelled when you change employer, but your new job should still meet the route's conditions when you renew.
Is there a grace period after a Green visa ends?
Yes, a grace period applies after the visa expires or is cancelled. Its length depends on the visa category and the rules in force, and we confirm it for your case.
How much does the Green visa cost?
Fees depend on the route and the family members you add. The written quote shows each one before you decide.
