The UAE’s New Visa Rules 2025 have created a new visa system which serves as the gateway for global talent and investors to enter the country.
The United Arab Emirates has proven itself as a worldwide destination that draws in talented individuals and innovative minds and financial investors. The UAE launched a major visa reform initiative to welcome top international professionals and high-net-worth individuals into the country. The Golden Visa and Green Visa programs represent a complete transition from traditional employment-based sponsorship to a system which provides extended residency and independent sponsorship options.
The UAE’s New Visa Rules 2025 guide explains all new visa categories together with their advantages and detailed requirements for UAE residency applications from expats and investors and job candidates.
The Golden Visa: The Apex of Long-Term Residency
The Golden Visa serves as the UAE’s premier long-term residency program, which grants 10-year renewable visas to people who bring exceptional value to the nation. The Golden Visa program provides complete stability to its holders because it eliminates their need for a local sponsor.
Key Categories and Eligibility
| Golden Visa Category | Residency Period | Core Requirement Summary |
| Investors | 10 Years | Investment of at least AED 2 million in a UAE public investment fund, real estate (mortgaged properties may qualify), or a licensed company. |
| Entrepreneurs | 10 Years | Ownership of a startup registered in the UAE that is approved by an accredited business incubator or that has secured at least AED 500,000 in capital or approval from a recognized authority. |
| Exceptional Talents | 10 Years | Highly specialized professionals in fields like medicine, engineering, science, or technology, often requiring a minimum monthly salary (e.g., AED 30,000+) and a strong employment contract or governmental recommendation. |
| Scientists & Researchers | 10 Years | Recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists or a top-tier global research institution. |
| Outstanding Students/Graduates | 5 or 10 Years | Top graduates from the top 100 universities globally (with a minimum GPA of 3.5), or high-performing national-level secondary school students. |
Major Benefits of the Golden Visa
1. The Golden Visa provides holders with a 10-year residence permit, which automatically extends for additional periods.
2. The holder of this visa does not need any local sponsor or employer to obtain it.
3. The visa holder can spend more than six months outside the UAE without losing their residency status, which sets it apart from typical residency programs.
4. The holder of this visa can obtain sponsorship for their spouse and children at any age and unlimited domestic helpers.
5. The UAE allows family members of the primary visa holder to stay in the country until their visa expires when the primary holder passes away.
The Green Visa: Self-Sponsorship for Skilled Professionals
The Green Visa operates as a flexible long-term residence option which grants self-sponsored residency for five years with renewal possibilities. As per the UAE’s New Visa Rules 2025, the Green Visa targets accomplished professionals who want employment independence through its self-sponsorship feature. This new system represents a major advancement for workers who operate in today’s global market.
Key Categories and Eligibility
| Green Visa Category | Residency Period | Core Requirement Summary |
| Skilled Employees | 5 Years | Requires a valid employment contract, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000 or more. |
| Freelancers/Self-Employed | 5 Years | Requires a freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), a bachelor’s degree, and proof of an annual income (e.g., AED 360,000) for the preceding two years. |
| Investors/Partners | 5 Years | Investment approval and proof of investment (e.g., business license) in a new or existing business. |
Notable Green Visa Advantages
- The professional gains complete independence from employer sponsorship through this visa, which enables them to change jobs or establish their own business operations.
- The visa program enables sponsorship of spouses and children under 25 years old and unmarried daughters of any age.
- The UAE provides a long 6-month period for visa holders to remain in the country after their visa ends or gets canceled, which allows sufficient time to adjust their immigration status.
- The UAE’s New Visa Rules 2025 have introduced new entry permits, which make it easier for people to enter the country for work and residence purposes.
- The UAE government made major changes to its entry and visit visa system to create better conditions for business travelers, job seekers and tourists.
The Job Seeker Visa
The UAE offers this non-sponsored entry permit to skilled workers and university graduates who want to find employment within the country.
The visa duration options include 60 days, 90 days and 120 days.
The visa holder maintains complete independence because it does not require sponsorship to find employment.
The visa targets individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree and fall into skill levels 1, 2, or 3 or who graduated from one of the world’s top 500 universities.
The 5-Year Multi-Entry Tourist Visa
The UAE’s New Visa Rules 2025, new visa system enables visitors to access the UAE multiple times throughout five years.
The visa allows visitors to stay in the UAE for 90 days at a time during the five-year period, while they can spend up to 180 days per year.
The applicant needs to show bank statements that demonstrate at least USD 4,000 or equivalent currency in their account during the previous six months.
Enhanced Family Sponsorship Rules
The UAE’s New Visa Rules 2025 system provides expanded family sponsorship options, which benefit all UAE residents who want to maintain their family unity.
| Feature | Old Rule (General Residency) | New Rule (General Residency) |
| Sponsorship Eligibility | Required minimum salary of AED 4,000-5,000. | The minimum salary requirement for most is now AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation). |
| Male Children Age Limit | Up to 18 years old. | Up to 25 years old. |
| Unmarried Daughters | No change. | Can be sponsored indefinitely regardless of age. |
| Parents’ Sponsorship | Required a very high salary/specific conditions. | Simplified process with a lower salary threshold (e.g., AED 20,000 for sponsoring parents). |
Summary
The UAE’s New Visa Rules 2025 have introduced new visa regulations, which demonstrate its dedication to building an international society that is both diverse and active. The nation establishes itself as the top global destination for exceptional talent and business creators and secure future seekers through its new self-sustaining residency programs and simplified entry procedures.
The UAE’s New Visa Rules 2025: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the biggest difference between the Golden Visa and the Green Visa?
The biggest difference is the duration and flexibility. The Golden Visa offers a 10-year term, allows unlimited family sponsorship (children of any age), and permits the holder to stay outside the UAE for more than six months without affecting the visa’s validity. The Green Visa offers a 5-year term, has an age limit for sponsoring male children (up to 25), and requires the holder to generally adhere to standard residency maintenance rules (i.e., not staying outside the UAE for more than six months).
2. Can a Green Visa holder eventually apply for a Golden Visa?
Yes. If a Green Visa holder meets the stringent investment, salary, or talent criteria for any of the Golden Visa categories during their residency, they can apply to upgrade their status from the Green Visa to the 10-year Golden Visa.
3. Do I need a job offer to apply for the Job Seeker Visa?
No, you do not need a job offer or a sponsor. The Job Seeker Visa is specifically designed to allow highly skilled individuals and top graduates to enter the country to actively look for a job without needing a company to host them first. Once employment is secured, the status is converted to a standard Employment Residence Visa.
4. What are the main benefits of the new family sponsorship rules for children?
The main benefit is the increased age limit for sponsoring male children up to 25 years old, up from the previous limit of 18. This change allows families to keep their adult children under their sponsorship longer while they complete university or early career stages. Unmarried daughters can also be sponsored indefinitely.
5. As a Golden Visa holder, do I lose my visa if I stay outside the UAE for a long time?
No. One of the most unique and valuable benefits of the Golden Visa is that it removes the six-month stay limit. Golden Visa holders can stay outside the UAE for extended periods—even a year or more—without their residency being canceled.
6. What is the minimum salary required for the Green Visa’s ‘Skilled Employee’ category?
The minimum monthly salary requirement for the Skilled Employee Green Visa is typically AED 15,000, along with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and classification under skill levels 1, 2, or 3 by MOHRE.
7. How long can I stay in the UAE on the new 5-Year Multi-Entry Tourist Visa?
You can stay a maximum of 90 consecutive days per visit. The visa also allows for an extension of another 90 days, provided the total stay in a single year does not exceed 180 days.
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