About United Arab Emirates

Whether you’re looking to visit, live or work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—we can support your immigration needs at every stage of your journey.

If you’re a foreign national looking to visit, live, and/or work in the United Arab Emirates, several options are available.

• Business Visits: Depending on their citizenship, business visitors may be visa exempt, eligible to obtain a visit visa-on-arrival, or may need to obtain a visa before travel. Visas that are used for business purposes are either for single- or multiple entries. The maximum allowable duration of stay as a visitor is 12 months but visas are typically issued for up to 60 or 90 days. In-country extensions of stay and changes of immigration status in country are permissible for select categories of entry. Visa-exempt or visa-on-arrival nationals may conduct certain business activities, including attending meetings and interviews, negotiating and signing deals and contracts, and site visits, but hands-on work is not permitted.
• Work Authorization: The main work authorization category in all jurisdictions is a standard visa for contractual employment which is also referred to as Employment Residence Permit; it consists of a residence permit and a work authorization (both components require a sponsor (i.e., an employer). Individuals holding a self-sponsored Green Visa or Golden Visa must obtain work authorization (via a sponsor or employer) to carry out work activities for the employer. The visit visa for a work assignment (previously referred to as Mission Work Permit or Mission Visa) is an option for those seeking short-term work authorization. Applicable in the mainland and select free zones.
• Internships/Traineeships: Student training or employment permit is an option in the mainland that allows a company to train or employ a student in the UAE (must be at least 15 years old) per specific provisions of the UAE employment law. There is a work permit for trainee citizens that allows companies in the mainland to train Emirati nationals per their educational qualifications. Free zones allow internships but each free zone authority has discretion over the requirements and conditions for the intern.
• Self-employment: Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and specialized talents can choose from several categories of self-sponsored visas that are available in the UAE, including (1) the two-year residence permit for property owners; (2) the five-year Green Visa for investors in a business project; and (3) the ten-year Golden Visa for general investment projects, real estate owners, and scientists, among other purposes (one must meet the specific criteria for the relevant Golden Visa category, including a potential government nomination).
• Freelancers: Freelancer visas are offered in select jurisdictions, allowing for the creation of a solo practice; this includes the five-year Green Visa for freelancers if you have a minimum of a bachelor's degree or a specialized diploma (or the equivalent).
• Digital nomad program: There is a remote work visa (also referred to in the Emirate of Dubai as the Virtual Work Program) that allows you to work remotely in the UAE while being employed in your home country. You must earn a minimum salary of USD 3,500 per month or equivalent and have no objection from your employer to work remotely in the UAE.

Fragomen can also consult on citizenship matters and, as permitted within the confines of local law, may be able to offer citizenship assistance.