Residency guide for the United Arab Emirates

What you need to know

1. How long does a Golden Visa for property buyers last?

   The Golden Residency guide of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, updated on 10 September 2026, gives the term for investors in real estate as 10 years.

   Where this comes from

   • Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security — Golden Residency Guide, read 9 October 2026

2. Which investors and professionals can get a 10-year Golden Visa?

   UAE, Golden Visa for investors, talents and specialists: investor: AED 2 million deposit or company capital, your own money; specialist: Salary AED 30,000 a month, degree, skill level 1 or 2; talent: Nomination by a ministry or Dubai body; stay: 10 years.

   Where this comes from

   • ICP, Golden Residency Guide (last updated 10 Sep 2026), read 24 October 2026

3. Is there a retirement visa in Dubai for over-55s?

   UAE (Dubai), Retirement visa (55 and over): 5 years: age: 55 or over, or 15 years of work (anywhere); money: Property or a deposit of AED 1,000,000 (about USD 272,257), or income of AED 240,000 a year; stay: 5 years, renewable; work: No. Who qualifies: 55 or over, or 15 years of work inside or outside the UAE (the law says either; some service pages say both). Cost: Dubai Land Department package: AED 6,984.75 (medical, Emirates ID, residence, fees). To keep it: An ordinary residence is cancelled if you stay outside the UAE for more than 180 days in a row. Where it leads: Five years, renewed on the same terms.

   Where this comes from

   • DLD, Golden Visa application – Retiree, read 24 October 2026

4. Can skilled workers or freelancers get a five-year visa?

   UAE, Green Visa: 5 years for skilled staff and freelancers: who: Skilled employees, freelancers, investors; money: Salary AED 15,000 a month, or AED 360,000 a year freelance; stay: 5 years, renewable, no sponsor; grace: 180 days after it ends. Cost: Dubai: AED 200 + AED 20; ICP: AED 100 + AED 100 a year + AED 100. To keep it: No 180-day absence rule for Green holders.

   Where this comes from

   • ICP, Green Residence Guide, read 24 October 2026

5. Is there a visa for remote workers of foreign firms?

   UAE, Remote work visa: 1 year: who: Employees of a firm outside the UAE; income: USD 3,500 a month; stay: 1 year, renewable; fee: Dubai AED 200 + AED 20.

   Where this comes from

   • GDRFA, Virtual work residence permit, read 24 October 2026

6. Can a foreigner become an Emirati citizen?

   Permanent residence and citizenship in UAE: The UAE grants citizenship only by nomination (nominees may keep their old passport) or, rarely, under the 1972 law, which requires giving up your old nationality. A child born in the UAE to foreign parents is not Emirati.

   Where this comes from

   • u.ae, Emirati nationality (updated 10 Sep 2026), read 24 October 2026

7. When do I become a tax resident in the United Arab Emirates?

   Tax residence in UAE: You become a UAE tax resident after 183 days in 12 months, or 90 days if you hold UAE residence and have a permanent home or work there; the Federal Tax Authority then issues a tax residency certificate. The UAE has no personal income tax.

   Where this comes from

   • FTA, Issuance of Tax Residency Certificate; Cabinet Decision No. 85 of 2022, Art. 4, read 24 October 2026

8. How long does an employee's residence permit last?

   UAE, Employment residence: who: Staff of a UAE employer; stay: 2 years, renewable; cost to you: The employer pays the work permit and recruitment; grace: 60 days (Dubai).

   Where this comes from

   • GDRFA, Residence permits for the private sector, read 24 October 2026

9. Is there a five-year tourist visa for the Emirates?

   UAE, 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa: stay: 90 days a visit, 180 days a year; money: USD 4,000 in the bank for 6 months; cost: Dubai AED 3,713, of which AED 3,000 refundable; work: No.

   Where this comes from

   • GDRFA, Multi-entry tourist visa (5 years), read 24 October 2026

10. Do British or American visitors need a visa?

    Visiting UAE on a passport of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Russia, Germany and France: Your passport is on the Foreign Ministry’s “visa free” list: the entry stamp is given free on arrival. Abu Dhabi’s residents office gives 30 days plus a 10-day extension as the general rule; Schengen (European) passports get up to 90 days in any 180.

    Where this comes from

    • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Visa information to enter the country (Visa Free / Visa Required list), read 24 October 2026