Everyone has heard of the UAE Golden Visa, usually from someone at a barbecue who is "basically getting one". In reality it is just one of several ways to live in Dubai, and for most people moving for a job it isn't the first one they will use. Here is a plain-English tour of the main options.
The employment visa: how most people start
If you are moving for a job, your employer normally sponsors your residence visa. They handle the application, your medical test and your Emirates ID, and you get a residence visa that usually runs for two years and is renewed while you work there.
It is the simplest route, but it is tied to your job. If you leave or lose the role, you get a grace period to find a new sponsor or leave the country, so it is worth knowing the date rather than discovering it on your last day.
The Golden Visa: long-term and self-sponsored
The Golden Visa gives you a five or ten-year residence permit that doesn't depend on an employer. You can also sponsor your spouse and children, and you can spend long stretches outside the UAE without losing your residency, which is handy if you split your time with the UK.
The main routes in 2026 are:
- Property: owning UAE property worth at least AED 2 million. Mortgaged and some off-plan properties can now count, subject to approval.
- Skilled professionals: a basic monthly salary of at least AED 30,000, plus a degree and an eligible job. Allowances and bonuses don't count towards the figure, which trips up a surprising number of people.
- Investors: around AED 2 million in a deposit, fund or UAE company.
- Entrepreneurs and talent: founders of qualifying businesses, and people with exceptional skills endorsed by the authorities.
Government fees vary by route, and a complete, properly attested application can be processed in a few weeks. An incomplete one can take a lot longer.
The Green Visa: for freelancers and skilled workers
The Green Visa is a five-year, self-sponsored option for freelancers, self-employed people and certain skilled employees. It is a good fit if you want independence from an employer but don't meet the Golden Visa thresholds. You need to show a qualifying income and the right permits for the work you do.
Other routes worth knowing
- Freelance permits: issued through free zones and some government schemes, often paired with a residence visa.
- Company setup: if you start a business in a free zone or on the mainland, the company can sponsor your visa.
- Remote work visa: a one-year option for people employed by a company outside the UAE.
- Retirement visa: for people aged 55 and over who meet savings, income or property requirements.
Bringing your family
Most residence visas let you sponsor a spouse and children, as long as you meet a minimum salary and have suitable housing. You will need attested marriage and birth certificates, which means getting UK documents legalised before you go. It is dull, but doing it in the UK is far easier than trying to do it from Dubai.
Which one should you go for?
If you have a job offer, start with the employment visa and look at the Golden Visa once you qualify. If you work for yourself, compare the Green Visa with a freelance permit or company setup. If you own property or have significant savings, the Golden Visa may be worth applying for straight away.
Next steps
Visa rules in the UAE are updated often, and the right route depends on your job, income and family. Expat Confidant can introduce you to a vetted UAE visa and company setup specialist who handles these applications every week.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the current rules with the UAE authorities or a qualified adviser before you apply.