What is United Arab Emirates's Employment residence visa (employer-sponsored)?

The default route: a UAE employer, mainland or free zone, sponsors your residence visa and work permit. It lasts typically 2 years (3 in some free zones), renewable. There is no naturalisation route in practice. Long-term stability comes from switching to a 5-year Green Visa or 10-year Golden Visa rather than from time served.

What is United Arab Emirates's Virtual Work (remote work) residence visa?

Remote employees and business owners earning abroad who want to be based in the UAE without a local sponsor. Self-sponsored. It lasts 1 year, renewable annually. None directly; it is a renewable residence, not a route to settlement.

What is United Arab Emirates's Green Visa (self-sponsored, 5 years)?

Skilled employees, freelancers and self-employed professionals who want residence not tied to an employer. It lasts 5 years, renewable. No settlement route, but it decouples your residence from any single employer.

What is United Arab Emirates's Golden Visa (10 years)?

Investors, entrepreneurs, and people classed as exceptional talent — scientists, senior professionals, outstanding students, some creatives and athletes. It lasts 10 years, renewable. The most durable status available; still a renewable residence rather than citizenship.

GlobeQuest

Moving from Mali to United Arab Emirates

What your passport gets you at the border — and what it takes to actually stay.

Mali

United Arab EmiratesShort stay

e-Visa

Mali passport holders need an e-visa for United Arab Emirates, applied for online before travelling.

This is short-stay visitor policy only. It does not let you work, study or settle in United Arab Emirates — that needs a residence permit.

Passport Index · updated 17 February 2026United Arab Emirates's official immigration service

Long stay

How you actually move to United Arab Emirates

Work / sponsoredHigh confidenceVerified July 2026

Employment residence visa (employer-sponsored)

The default route: a UAE employer, mainland or free zone, sponsors your residence visa and work permit.

What you need

Employment contract with a licensed UAE entity
Entry permit issued by your employer before you arrive
Medical fitness test (blood test + chest X-ray)
Emirates ID biometrics
Attested degree certificate for regulated professions

How long it lasts: Typically 2 years (3 in some free zones), renewable.
Path to permanent residence: There is no naturalisation route in practice. Long-term stability comes from switching to a 5-year Green Visa or 10-year Golden Visa rather than from time served.
Cost: Mostly employer-paid; medical and Emirates ID fees run a few hundred dirhams.
Processing time: 2–4 weeks from arrival.

Worth knowing

Free-zone and mainland sponsorship differ in what they let you do outside your employer.
The visa ends with the job, with a grace period to find a new sponsor or leave.

Sources:u.ae — UAE Government Portal ICP — Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship

Digital nomadHigh confidenceVerified July 2026

Virtual Work (remote work) residence visa

Remote employees and business owners earning abroad who want to be based in the UAE without a local sponsor. Self-sponsored.

What you need

Proof of employment with a non-UAE employer (contract of 1+ year) or ownership of a non-UAE company for 1+ year
Minimum income of about USD 3,500/month — around USD 5,000/month for business owners
Six consecutive months of bank statements evidencing that income, tightened from three in January 2026
Valid health insurance with UAE coverage
Passport valid 6+ months

How long it lasts: 1 year, renewable annually.
Path to permanent residence: None directly; it is a renewable residence, not a route to settlement.
Cost: Application, medical, Emirates ID and insurance — commonly a few thousand dirhams all in.
Processing time: Days to a few weeks once documents are complete.

Worth knowing

Income consistency is assessed across all six months — one strong month among five weak ones fails.
No UAE business licence or free-zone registration is required, which is the main draw over the Green Visa.

Sources:u.ae — UAE Government Portal

Freelance / self-employedMedium confidenceVerified July 2026

Green Visa (self-sponsored, 5 years)

Skilled employees, freelancers and self-employed professionals who want residence not tied to an employer.

What you need

Freelance/self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation, or a skilled-employment contract
Bachelor's degree or specialised diploma
Evidence of income from self-employment over the prior two years, or proof of financial solvency

How long it lasts: 5 years, renewable.
Path to permanent residence: No settlement route, but it decouples your residence from any single employer.
Cost: Permit plus visa fees; higher than an employer-sponsored visa because you carry them yourself.
Processing time: Several weeks.

Worth knowing

Green Visa holders can sponsor family, which the older freelance permits did not reliably allow.

Sources:u.ae — UAE Government Portal ICP — Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship

InvestmentMedium confidenceVerified July 2026

Golden Visa (10 years)

Investors, entrepreneurs, and people classed as exceptional talent — scientists, senior professionals, outstanding students, some creatives and athletes.

What you need

One of the qualifying categories: property investment at the published threshold, public investment, entrepreneurship with an approved project, or nomination as specialised talent
Supporting evidence specific to the category — valuation certificate, accreditation, or federal nomination

How long it lasts: 10 years, renewable.
Path to permanent residence: The most durable status available; still a renewable residence rather than citizenship.
Cost: Category-dependent, and dwarfed by the underlying investment where one is required.
Processing time: Weeks, longer for nomination-based talent categories.

Worth knowing

Thresholds and eligible categories have been revised repeatedly since launch — confirm the current figures on u.ae before committing.
Property-based eligibility depends on the valuation, not the purchase price.

Sources:u.ae — Golden Visa ICP — Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship

On the ground