# UAE Green Visa — Freelancer / Self-Employed - **Type:** visa - **Status:** evergreen - **City:** UAE-wide - **Equity:** n/a - **Cost:** GDRFA / MOHRE fees - **Duration:** 5 years, renewable - **Apply:** https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f52024d1-b812-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936 - **Page:** https://www.dxbstart.com/programs/uae-green-visa The Green Visa for freelancers / self-employed is a five-year, self-sponsored residency. Public GDRFA copy still asks for a MOHRE freelance permit, a bachelor’s degree, and income on the order of AED 360,000 a year over two years. Evergreen. This is for people who already invoice like a professional, not for a first-year founder with a hope and a Gumroad. If you have a company licence, you may want a standard employment or investor path instead. ## Desk take The income test is the story. If you cannot document it, do not pay someone to “try.” ## Eligibility For independent professionals who want to live in the UAE without an employer sponsor. - You must first hold a freelance/self-employment permit from MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) - Minimum education: bachelor's degree, specialised diploma, or equivalent - Annual self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 for each of the previous 2 years — or proof of financial solvency for your stay - Passport valid 6+ months - 5-year self-sponsored residency; 180-day grace period after expiry/cancellation; apply via GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates) ## Questions ### Do I need a company? You need the freelance / self-employed permission they name (MOHRE). That is not the same as a DMCC licence. ### Can I sponsor family? Green Visa is sold as self-sponsored with family options. Confirm on the live GDRFA service. --- Source: DXBStart — the working index of the UAE startup ecosystem. Canonical page: https://www.dxbstart.com/programs/uae-green-visa More machine-readable resources: https://www.dxbstart.com/llms.txt Startups can request a listing at https://www.dxbstart.com/submit — free, editorially reviewed.