The UAE has recently unveiled a novel residency programme, the 5-year Green Visa, as part of a larger regulatory framework designed to attract skilled workers and investors from around the world. The objective is to increase the flexibility of the job market and appeal to exceptional individuals from all domains. This residence visa, according to the Abu Dhabi Residents Office, is available for international talents who wish to sponsor themselves, and it eliminates the requirement of being employed to live in the UAE. The emirate of Abu Dhabi, in particular, is home to several fast-growing fields that present opportunities for talented people to flourish.

The 5-year Green Residence Visa is designed to focus on outstanding talents, skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. It offers a long-term residency option and more benefits to visa holders and their families than the standard residence visa. Such benefits include the ability to sponsor unmarried daughters and sons of up to 25 years of age, regardless of their age. The Abu Dhabi Green Visa is valid for five years and offers a wide range of visa options for professionals, freelancers, investors, and partners.

For the self-employed, freelancers, or entrepreneurs to be eligible for the Green Visa, they must meet certain criteria. They need to have received a freelance work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE). The minimum education level required is a bachelor’s degree, a specialised diploma or equivalent. The annual income from self-employment for the previous two years must not be less than Dh360,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies. Alternatively, they must provide proof of financial solvency throughout the duration of their stay in the UAE.

Skilled workers are also eligible for the Green Visa if they meet the criteria specified by ADRO. They must have obtained a work permit using an employment contract valid in the UAE and should be classified under the first, second or third level of occupations, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). There are nine different levels of jobs, as per the International Standard Classification of Occupations, that MoHRE acknowledges. Additionally, the worker must possess a valid work contract in the UAE, with a minimum monthly salary of Dh15,000 and a bachelor’s degree in specific skilled fields, such as science, law, education, culture and social sciences.

To apply for the Green Visa, individuals must submit their applications in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) via their website: https://icp.gov.ae.

In summary, the UAE has unveiled a new five-year Green Visa, aimed at attracting talented individuals from around the world, such as skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. It provides long-term residency options and numerous advantages, such as the ability to sponsor unmarried daughters and sons of up to 25 years of age. The Green Visa is available to people who possess specific skills and have a valid work contract in the UAE, or to those who have obtained a freelance work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE).