Dubai visa types fall into two groups: visit visas for short stays, and residence visas for people who want to live, work, study or retire in the UAE. Picking the right one shapes almost everything that follows, from opening a bank account to renting a flat and sponsoring your family. It also affects your budget, because fees, medical tests, insurance and the wider cost of living in Dubai all depend on the route you take.
Dubai follows the federal UAE visa system. Applications for Dubai residents are handled by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai), while the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) sets the national rules. The fees and thresholds in this guide to Dubai visa types were checked against GDRFA, ICP and the UAE government portal in November 2026.
Dubai Visa Types Compared
| Visa | Best for | Validity | Sponsor | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | Holidays and short visits | 30 or 60 days | Licensed tourism company or airline | Fee from AED 200 (30 days) plus VAT |
| Visit visa (relative or friend) | Family and friends of residents | Short stay | UAE resident | Sponsor earns AED 4,000 to 15,000 a month, by relationship |
| Jobseeker visa | Skilled people looking for work | 60, 90 or 120 days | None | Bachelor’s degree and skill level 1 to 3, or recent top-500 graduate |
| Employment visa | Employees with a UAE job offer | Usually 2 years | Employer | Job offer and work permit |
| Investor or partner visa | Company owners and partners | Linked to the licence | Own company | Valid trade licence |
| Golden Visa | Investors, specialists, top students, talents | 10 years | None | AED 2 million investment or property, or AED 30,000 monthly salary for specialists |
| Green Visa | Skilled employees, freelancers, investors | 5 years | None | AED 15,000 monthly salary, or AED 360,000 yearly freelance income |
| Remote work visa | Employees of companies abroad | 1 year | None | USD 3,500 monthly salary |
| Family residence visa | Spouse, children and some parents | Linked to the sponsor | UAE resident | Sponsor earns AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus housing |
| Student visa | University and college students | Linked to the course | University or parent | Enrolment at a licensed institution |
| Retirement visa | Retirees aged 55 and over | 5 years | None | AED 240,000 yearly income in Dubai, or property and savings |
| Blue Visa | Environment and sustainability contributors | 10 years | None | Proven contribution to sustainability |
Below, each of the Dubai visa types is explained in more detail, with the official source for the numbers.
1. Tourist Visa
The tourist visa covers holidays, family visits, shopping trips, events and exploratory trips before a move. According to GDRFA Dubai, a single-entry tourist visa costs AED 200 for 30 days or AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT. It must be issued through a licensed tourism company, usually takes about 48 hours, and you need a passport valid for at least six months, a return or onward ticket and health insurance valid in the UAE.
Many nationalities can enter without applying in advance and get a visa on arrival, so check your passport’s status with your airline first. If you already live here, our list of visa-free destinations for UAE residents covers the other direction.
Good for: short stays and first visits. Not for: work or long stays.
2. Visit Visas for Relatives, Friends, Jobseekers and Events
Since late 2025 the visit visa rules have been more detailed. ICP added four new visit visa purposes: artificial intelligence specialists, entertainment, events and cruise ship or leisure boat tourism. It also linked visits by relatives and friends to the sponsor’s income: AED 4,000 a month for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second- or third-degree relatives and AED 15,000 for a friend.
The jobseeker visit visa needs no sponsor and is valid for 60, 90 or 120 days. You need a bachelor’s degree and either a job at skill level 1, 2 or 3 under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation scale, or a degree from one of the world’s top 500 universities within the last two years, plus a financial guarantee.
3. Employment Residence Visa
This is still the most common way to move to Dubai. Your employer applies for the work permit and residence visa, and the process includes an entry permit, a medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics and visa stamping. Private-sector work visas are usually issued for two years.
The trade-off is that your residence is tied to your job. If the contract ends and the visa is cancelled, you get a grace period to find new work or leave, so plan ahead before resigning.
Good for: employees with a confirmed job offer. Not for: founders or people who want independent residence.
4. Investor or Partner Visa
If you own or co-own a UAE company, the company can sponsor your residence, which makes this the most common of the business-focused Dubai visa types. This is the usual route for consultants, agency owners, traders and small business founders. The first decision is where to set up, and our guide to Dubai mainland vs free zone companies explains how that choice affects visas, offices and who you can trade with. If you lean towards a free zone, compare the best free zones in the UAE for startups before paying for a licence.
Expect to keep the licence valid, renew it each year, meet free zone or mainland rules and run real business activity. The visa lasts only as long as the company stays in good standing.
5. Golden Visa
Of all Dubai visa types, the Golden Visa offers the longest stay. ICP’s current Golden Residency guide lists a 10-year, renewable residence with no sponsor for every category, and holders can sponsor family members and stay outside the UAE for long periods without losing the visa. Some older pages still mention five-year terms for property investors, so check the category that applies to you.
The main routes are:
- Property investors: one or more UAE properties worth at least AED 2 million in total. Mortgaged property from an approved local bank and off-plan units from approved developers can qualify.
- Public investment: a deposit of at least AED 2 million with an investment fund or a national bank, or company capital of the same amount.
- Specialised professionals: a bachelor’s degree and a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000.
- Others: entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students, frontline workers, humanitarian pioneers and exceptional talents in culture, sport and digital technology.
Good for: people who meet one of the thresholds and want long-term stability. Not for: applicants who fall short of the category rules.
6. Green Visa
The Green Visa sits between a work visa and the Golden Visa among Dubai visa types. It is a five-year, renewable, self-sponsored residence. According to ICP, skilled employees need a UAE employment contract, a job at skill level 1 to 3, a bachelor’s degree and a salary of at least AED 15,000 a month. Freelancers and the self-employed need a freelance permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, a degree or specialised diploma, and income of at least AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years. Investors and business partners are also covered.
If you work for yourself, our step-by-step guide on how to get a freelance visa in Dubai explains the permit side. Green Visa holders get a longer grace period after the visa ends than standard residents.
7. Remote Work Visa
Among the newer Dubai visa types, the virtual work residence visa lets you live in Dubai while working for a company outside the UAE. It is valid for one year and needs health insurance, a medical fitness test, proof of employment abroad and a salary certificate showing at least USD 3,500 a month. You can apply through ICP or GDRFA Dubai.
Good for: remote employees and people paid from abroad. Not for: anyone planning to take a local job.
8. Family Residence Visa
Residents can sponsor a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs of any age. The UAE government portal sets the minimum salary at AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 if your employer provides housing, and the job title no longer matters. Family members aged 18 and over need a medical fitness test. Sponsoring parents in Dubai has stricter rules on income and housing.
Once the family visas are issued, they can get Emirates IDs, health cover, bank accounts and school places. Parents can start with our guide to the best schools in Dubai.
9. Student Visa
The student visa is one of the Dubai visa types tied to an institution rather than a job. Students at licensed UAE universities and colleges are usually sponsored by the institution, and the visa follows the length of the course. University students can also stay on a parent’s family visa. Top-performing secondary school and university graduates can qualify for the Golden Visa.
10. Retirement Visa
The retirement visa is a five-year renewable residence for people aged 55 or over who have worked for at least 15 years, inside or outside the UAE. For a Dubai application, you need a fixed income of at least AED 240,000 a year (AED 20,000 a month), or property and savings that meet the AED 1 million thresholds. Official pages word the property and savings route slightly differently, so confirm with GDRFA before you apply.
11. Blue Visa
Launched in 2024, the Blue Residency is a 10-year renewable residence for people who make an exceptional contribution to environmental protection and sustainability, in the UAE or abroad. It covers environmental advocates, scientists and researchers, investors and entrepreneurs in green projects, inventors and leading specialists. Family members, including parents, can be sponsored for the same period.
Which of the Dubai Visa Types Fits You?
| Your situation | Visa to look at first |
|---|---|
| Short holiday or family visit | Tourist visa or visit visa |
| Looking for a job in Dubai | Jobseeker visit visa |
| You have a UAE job offer | Employment residence visa |
| You own or are starting a company | Investor or partner visa |
| AED 2 million in property or investments | Golden Visa |
| Freelancer or high earner on AED 15,000+ | Green Visa |
| You work for a company abroad | Remote work visa |
| You want to bring your spouse or children | Family residence visa |
| You are enrolled at a UAE university | Student visa |
| You are 55+ with steady income | Retirement visa |
| Your work is in sustainability | Blue Visa |
Costs Beyond the Visa Fee
Whichever of the Dubai visa types you choose, the visa fee is only part of the bill. Residence applicants pay for the entry permit, change of status if already in the country, the medical test, Emirates ID and health insurance, which is compulsory for Dubai residents. Once your visa is issued, you will need a local account for salary and rent, so read our guide on how to open a bank account in Dubai.
Common Questions About Dubai Visa Types
Can I work in Dubai on a tourist visa?
No. A tourist or visit visa does not allow employment. You need a work permit and residence visa, or a self-sponsored route such as the Green Visa or a freelance permit.
Which Dubai visa types do not need a sponsor?
The Golden Visa, Green Visa, remote work visa, retirement visa, Blue Visa and the jobseeker visit visa are all self-sponsored.
What is the cheapest way to stay in Dubai long term?
For most people it is an employment visa, because the employer pays most of the costs. Freelancers often compare a freelance permit with the Green Visa.
Can I switch from a visit visa to a residence visa inside the UAE?
In many cases yes, through a change of status, which carries an extra fee. GDRFA lists an in-country fee of AED 500 on top of the visa fee for several services.
Visa rules and fees change often. Always confirm the latest requirements with GDRFA Dubai or ICP before you apply.