Ways to live in the United Arab Emirates
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →
Virtual work (remote work) residence visa
Self-sponsored one-year residence for people employed by or running a company outside the UAE.
- What you need
- Salary of at least $3,500 a month from a company outside the UAE, a passport valid 6+ months, UAE-valid health insurance and a medical test. You may not work for UAE companies.
- Income
- from about $3,500 a month
- How long
- 1 year
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Government fee from 200 dirhams plus VAT and service charges; medical test and resident ID card (Emirates ID) extra
- How to apply
- Online through the UAE or Dubai immigration service; you need not be in the UAE when the visa is issued
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Does not lead to citizenship; can be renewed or switched to another residence category.
- Tax
- The UAE has no personal income tax.
Work permit Work permits →
Golden visa — skilled professionals and entrepreneurs
10-year residence for highly paid employees in the UAE and for founders of approved businesses.
- What you need
- Professionals: a UAE work contract, a bachelor's degree and a salary of at least 30,000 dirhams a month (about $8,170). Entrepreneurs: a UAE small business with revenue of 1 million dirhams+ a year, or past ventures sold for 7 million dirhams+, approved by an incubator or authority.
- Income
- from about $8,170 a month
- How long
- 10 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Through the UAE or Dubai immigration service
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Long-term residence; no citizenship path.
Student visa Student visas →
Student residence permit
For foreigners enrolled at a licensed university, college, school or research institute in the UAE. The institution acts as host and guarantor; the permit does not allow work.
- What you need
- Enrolment at an institution licensed and approved by the Ministry of Education or the emirate's education authority, a passport copy, a photo, an approved medical test, health insurance and an Emirates ID application receipt.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- In Dubai: 200 AED permit fee plus about 20 AED in service charges; 500 AED extra if applying from inside the country
- Processing time
- About 48 hours in Dubai once documents are complete
- How to apply
- Usually through the university or school, online via the residency authority (GDRFA in Dubai, ICP in other emirates) or at an Amer service centre.
- Path to permanent residence
- It is tied to studies and ends with them; after the permit expires or is cancelled there is a 60-day grace period. Top students and graduates can apply separately for a Golden visa.
Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →
Green visa for freelancers / self-employed
Self-sponsored 5-year residence for freelancers holding a federal freelance or self-employment permit.
- What you need
- A freelance or self-employment permit from the UAE labour ministry and a bachelor's degree or specialised diploma. Freelance income of at least 360,000 dirhams a year (about $98,000) over the past two years, or proof you can support yourself.
- Income
- from about $8,170 a month
- How long
- 5 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Through the UAE or Dubai immigration service
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Renewable residence; no citizenship path.
Retirement visa Retirement visas →
Retirement residence visa
Self-sponsored 5-year residence for retirees aged 55+.
- What you need
- Age 55+ (Dubai also asks for 15 years of work experience). Income of 20,000 dirhams a month (about $5,450), or 1 million dirhams (about $272,000) in a 3-year deposit or in completed, mortgage-free Dubai property, or a mix of both.
- Income
- from about $5,450 a month
- Savings
- about $272,000
- How long
- 5 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Through the Dubai immigration service, or the UAE immigration service in other emirates
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Renewable on the same terms; no citizenship path.
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Golden visa — real estate and investors
10-year self-sponsored residence for property owners and investors from 2 million dirhams.
- What you need
- UAE property worth at least 2 million dirhams (about $545,000) in total; a local bank mortgage or an off-plan unit from an approved developer is allowed. Investors can instead put 2 million dirhams into a UAE fund, bank deposit or company; health insurance for you and your family is required.
- Savings
- about $545,000
- How long
- 10 years, renewable
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Through the UAE or Dubai immigration service
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Long-term residence; no citizenship path.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| One-bedroom flat | $1,170 |
|---|---|
| Two-bedroom flat | $2,300 |
| Bills | $150 |
| Typical local salary | $4,300 |
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Dubai and Abu Dhabi run on convenience: modern apartments, beach clubs, malls and food from every corner of the world. Most residents are foreigners, so newcomers blend in fast, and mountains and desert dunes are a short drive away.
Day to day
Life revolves around cars and taxis, with a metro in Dubai and fast highways between emirates. Private clinics are modern, cards and contactless work everywhere, internet is fast, and English is the everyday working language.
Trade-offs
Summers are brutally hot and humid, pushing life indoors for months. Housing and schools are expensive, some calling apps and sites are restricted, and laws on public behaviour are strict and enforced.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United StatesVOA · 30 d
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
Hong Kong30 days
South AfricaVisa
Mexico180 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does United Arab Emirates have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. United Arab Emirates offers: Virtual work (remote work) residence visa.
How can I move to United Arab Emirates?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed, Retirement visa, Investment and golden visa.
Can I retire in United Arab Emirates?
Yes, through: Retirement residence visa.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for the United Arab Emirates were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for the United Arab Emirates were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- u.ae — Residence visa for working outside the UAE
- GDRFA Dubai — Issuance of the virtual work residence permit
- GDRFA Dubai — Renewing a virtual work residence permit
- ICP — Virtual work residence (employee)
- ICP — Golden Residency guide
- ICP — Green Residency guide
- GDRFA Dubai — Residence permit for retired foreigner
- u.ae — Golden visa
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
