Resident Visas in the UAE in 2026

Resident visas in the UAE are becoming more than a formality - they are a working tool: they open access to banking services, simplify launching a business, and allow you to live in the country on stable terms. The rules remain clear: invest, work, or build a project, and you get long-term status.

We explain which residency options actually work right now, what has changed in the requirements, and which entry threshold fits your specific goal: buying property, relocating your family, expanding a business, or a personal tax strategy.

Main types of resident visas in 2026

A UAE resident visa is a document giving a foreign national the right to reside in the country for longer than 90 days. It is issued through the organization or person the applicant relies on: an employer, a university, a relative, or an investment company. After the visa is issued, the person receives an Emirates ID, which they can use to open a bank account, sign lease agreements, and use all services available to residents.

Today, citizens of foreign countries can obtain one of the following visas:

1. Business visa. Suits owners of companies worth from 500,000 AED. A 10-year status is available if investments in the economy total from 2,000,000 AED, or if the company shows an annual income from 1,000,000 AED.

2. Work visa. Arranged by the employer. Based on an employment contract approved by MOHRE. For remote specialists - confirmed income from $3,500 a month (Digital Nomad / Remote Work Visa).

3. Student visa. Issued after enrollment at an accredited university. Based on an acceptance letter and proof of financial means.

4. Family visa. A resident can bring their spouse, children, or parents.

5. Retirement visa. Available from age 55. Requirements: income from 20,000 AED a month, or savings or property from 1,000,000 AED. Term - 5 years, renewable.

6. Long-term visa (Golden Visa). Term - 10 years. Basis: investments from 2,000,000 AED in property or in a bank deposit.

Conditions for obtaining a resident visa

UAE residency is granted on different grounds: through investment, employment, business ownership, family ties, retirement status, or professional achievements. The law sets clear requirements for investment amounts, source of funds, and asset holding periods.

The 10-year UAE "Golden Visa": long-term residency through investment

The 10-year residence permit (Golden Visa) in the UAE today is available not only to "large" investors with capital from 10 million AED, as older articles often claim. The current base threshold for the investment Golden Visa in most cases starts from 2,000,000 AED - this can be property, a bank deposit/investment fund, or a stake in a company meeting the requirements of a specific emirate.

You can obtain 10-year residency if the applicant:

• owns one or more properties with a total value of at least 2 million AED (in many cases mortgaged and off-plan properties are allowed if payment conditions are met);
• or places a deposit/investment in the UAE of at least 2 million AED;
• or owns a stake in a company or business that meets the established investment or tax criteria (for example, confirmed corporate tax payments of at least 250,000 AED per year).

The requirement mentioned in older materials of a 10 million AED investment, with at least 60% not in real estate and a mandatory 3-year lock-in, refers to the previous version of the law and is now used only in limited cases. In practice the emphasis has shifted to the more accessible 2 million AED threshold and correctly structuring investments under the rules of the specific emirate and immigration authority.

The standard document package includes: a passport, a current visa and Emirates ID (if held), documents for the property or investment (property title, bank and investment confirmations, the company's incorporation and tax documents), proof of residential address, and medical insurance approved in the relevant emirate. The Golden Visa is issued for 10 years, renewable while the required investment level is maintained; holders are also allowed to stay outside the UAE without losing resident status, which sets this category apart from ordinary residence permits.

The two-year UAE "Golden Visa": residency through property

Also relevant for most private investors today is the two-year property-based resident visa: it can be obtained when buying property or properties in Dubai worth at least 750,000 AED at the Title Deed price. Both fully paid and mortgaged property are allowed, provided the investor has paid in at least 50% of the value or a minimum of 750,000 AED and has received a No Objection certificate from the bank; several properties can be combined under one owner's name. This visa is issued for 2 years, renewable while ownership is maintained, and allows the investor to sponsor a spouse and children. The standard document package includes a passport, a photo, the electronic Title Deed, medical insurance, and, if applicable, a current visa/Emirates ID.

UAE company investor visa: legal residency for business owners

Designed for foreigners who own their own company in the UAE or hold a significant stake in an existing business.

To obtain the visa, the investor and the company must provide supporting documents. These are:

• trade license;
• immigration card;
• incorporation documents;
• partnership agreements;
• list of shareholders (for an LLC);
• investor's passport;
• bank statement.

Companies in free zones additionally need share certificates and registration documents.

The visa's validity matches the duration of the investment and can be renewed while the shareholding is maintained and all legal requirements are met.

UAE work visa: legal residency through employment

Allows you to legally live and work in the country with the support of an employer. The employer can be located on the UAE mainland, in a free zone, or be a government body.

Obtaining the visa requires a set of documents confirming the legality of the employment relationship and the company's registration:

• the company's trade license and immigration card;
• a labor card (for a Mainland company) or a lease agreement and accreditation certificate (for a free zone company);
• the employee's passport;
• an education diploma/certificate.

A work visa is valid for 2 years, renewable while the employment contract remains in force.

UAE student visa: legal residence for study

To obtain the visa, a student must provide documents confirming legal enrollment and financial means: an admission letter from the educational institution and a receipt for tuition payment.
A standard student visa is issued for 1 year, with mandatory annual renewal until studies are completed. Top-performing students can apply for a five-year visa, requiring a GPA of at least 3.75 for university students or 95% academic performance for high school.

UAE family visa: sponsorship conditions

Expats with a valid resident visa can sponsor members of their family.

To obtain the visa you need to provide:

• a passport bearing the resident visa stamp and a valid Emirates ID;
• a legalized marriage certificate or birth certificate to prove the relationship.

The visa can be obtained for children: sons up to 25 years old, unmarried daughters with no age limit, and children with special needs regardless of age. Sponsoring parents and, in some cases, other relatives requires higher income thresholds (as a benchmark - from 10,000-20,000 AED a month depending on the emirate, often with a requirement for larger housing and a deposit).

Retirement visa in Dubai: conditions and requirements

The retirement visa is designed for residents over 55. To obtain it you must meet one of the criteria confirming your financial independence.

Main requirements include:

1. Purchasing property in Dubai worth at least 1 million UAE dirhams (approximately $273,000).

2. Holding savings in an account of at least 1 million UAE dirhams (approximately $273,000).

3. A steady income from investments or a pension of at least 20,000 UAE dirhams (approximately $5,450) a month.

The visa is issued for 5 years, renewable for another 5 years under the same conditions.

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a resident visa in the UAE

Obtaining a resident visa in the UAE requires precisely following the required steps and submitting a complete document package. The process can be completed for either a new visa or a renewal of an existing one.

Step 1. Entering the country and registration. Citizens of Russia and a number of other countries can stay in the UAE visa-free for up to 90 days. To proceed with resident status, you need to arrive in the country and prepare documents for the application.

Step 2. Preparing and submitting the application. The visa application can be submitted through the official portal of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA). Alternatively, the eChannels service allows you to apply online, which requires prior registration in the system. The application can be submitted either from within the UAE or from abroad.

Step 3. Medical examination. An HIV test and a chest X-ray are mandatory. Passing the medical exam is a required step confirming compliance with Federal Law No. 9 of 2014 on the control of infectious diseases.

Step 4. Biometric data collection. Biometrics are needed to identify the applicant and prevent fraud.

Step 5. Paying the state fee. The amount of the state fee depends on the visa category and its term. Payment is made online or at the relevant GDRFA office.

Step 6. Waiting for the result and receiving the visa. Once all documents are submitted, all that's left is to wait for the decision. The response is sent to the email address or phone number provided in the application. A UAE resident visa is not stamped into the passport - it is linked to the applicant's electronic profile.

Conclusion

Resident visas are a comprehensive tool for legally living, working, and investing in the country. The system covers various categories: work and business visas, student and family residency, retirement and long-term Golden Visas, each with its own financial and legal criteria.

The rollout of electronic services, biometrics, and standardized medical examination procedures ensures transparency and speeds up processing.

For foreign nationals, the ability to choose a visa type based on investment, professional status, or family situation allows for effective long-term planning, asset management, and pursuit of business or education goals.

Our specialists support clients across all types of UAE resident visas - from choosing the optimal format and checking documents to filing the application and renewing status - taking on the routine work and reducing the risk of refusal.