United Arab Emirates · Talent schemes
United Arab Emirates Blue Residence
First stay: 10 yrs
Blue Residence (10 years, environmental contribution)
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Blue Residence is a talent schemes route for United Arab Emirates. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Government fees
- AED 100 ≈ $27 · +2 more
- First stay
- 10 yrs
Cost, time and long term
Government feesAED 100 ≈ $27 · +2 more
- AED 100 (≈ $27)Application fee for the Blue Residence residence service.
- AED 100 (≈ $27)Smart service fee.
- AED 100 a year (≈ $27)Residence issuance fee per year of validity (AED 1,000 (≈ $270) for 10 years).
RenewalRenewable
Ten-year residence that can be renewed, without a sponsor in the UAE.
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
If you are outside the UAE you receive a six-month multiple-entry entry visa, renewable for a similar period, to complete the procedures.
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- The applicant is an environmental or sustainability advocate, such as a member of an international body, award winner, activist or researcher.
What you must show and pay3
- A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27) · Application fee for the Blue Residence residence service.
- A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27) · Smart service fee.
- A fee of AED 100 a year (≈ $27) · Residence issuance fee per year of validity (AED 1,000 (≈ $270) for 10 years).
Documents3
- Proof of membership and participation in environmental initiatives is required.
- Official letters, membership certificates and supporting documents are required.
- Recommendation letters and certificates of recognition are required.
Steps1
- Apply to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, or be nominated by a competent UAE authority.
After you arrive1
- Applicants outside the UAE receive a six-month multiple-entry entry visa, renewable for six months, to complete the procedures.
When you become tax resident
How United Arab Emirates decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
10 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in 12 consecutive months
- At least 90 days in 12 consecutive monthsApplies to UAE nationals, holders of a valid residence permit, or GCC nationals who also have a permanent place of residence in the UAE or work or carry on business there.
- Foreign-source income
No personal income tax
The UAE levies no income tax on individuals; foreign-source salary, investment and rental income of an individual is outside Corporate Tax.
All tax rules for United Arab Emirates Tax records checked
Full official text
10-year renewable sponsor-free residence for people who make an exceptional contribution to environmental protection and sustainability in the UAE or abroad. 1 2 3 4
What you must show and pay
- A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27) · Application fee for the Blue Residence residence service. 3
- A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27) · Smart service fee. 3
- A fee of AED 100 a year (≈ $27) · Residence issuance fee per year of validity (AED 1,000 (≈ $270) for 10 years). 3
Requirements
- The applicant is an environmental or sustainability advocate, such as a member of an international body, award winner, activist or researcher. 1 2
- Proof of membership and participation in environmental initiatives is required. 1
- Official letters, membership certificates and supporting documents are required. 1
- Recommendation letters and certificates of recognition are required. 1
- Apply to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, or be nominated by a competent UAE authority. 1 2
- Applicants outside the UAE receive a six-month multiple-entry entry visa, renewable for six months, to complete the procedures. 1
Stay
- 10 years, renewable, without a sponsor in the UAE.
- Initial permitted stay: 120 months.
- Visa validity: 120 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Work
Holders live in the UAE without a sponsor.
Family
Spouse, children of any age and parents may receive 10-year renewable residence permits; domestic workers can be sponsored. Dependants may stay for the validity of their permits if the sponsor dies. Your spouse or partner needs their own work permit to work in the United Arab Emirates.
Official sources
- Blue Residence Guide · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security · checked 2026-10-11
- Blue visa · UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-11
- Issuing Residency Permit (terms, fees and documents for each applicant category) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · checked 2026-10-12
- Work permits · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10
Blue Residence and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Residence | – | 10 yr, renewable | – |
| Golden · Exceptional talent | – | 10 yr, renewable | – |
| Golden · Humanitarian pioneer | – | 10 yr, renewable | – |
| Golden · Scientists | – | 10 yr, renewable | – |
| J-Find Japan | – | 2 yr | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Blue Residence?
A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27). Application fee for the Blue Residence residence service. A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27). Smart service fee. A fee of AED 100 a year (≈ $27). Residence issuance fee per year of validity (AED 1,000 (≈ $270) for 10 years).
How long can I stay on the Blue Residence?
10 years, renewable, without a sponsor in the UAE.
Can I work on the Blue Residence?
Holders live in the UAE without a sponsor.
Can I bring my family on the Blue Residence?
Spouse, children of any age and parents may receive 10-year renewable residence permits; domestic workers can be sponsored.
How are Blue Residence holders taxed in United Arab Emirates?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Blue Residence. The standard rules apply: The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals; VAT is 5%. Individuals running a business in the UAE pay corporate tax only if business turnover exceeds AED 1 million (≈ $272,000) in a calendar year.
More in United Arab Emirates
Special talent visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 4 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Blue Residence Guide · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security · checked 2026-10-11
- Blue visa · UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-11
- Issuing Residency Permit (terms, fees and documents for each applicant category) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · checked 2026-10-12
- Work permits · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.