--- title: "United Arab Emirates Blue Residence requirements 2026" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/blue-residency/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- 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 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 10 yrs (10 years, renewable, without a sponsor in the UAE.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport - **Spouse work:** Needs a permit (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.) ## 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 fees: AED 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). **Renewal: Renewable** Ten-year residence that can be renewed, without a sponsor in the UAE. [Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-blue-residency/) **Where to apply: Abroad 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](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-blue-residency/) ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - 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 pay - **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). #### Documents - 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. #### Steps 1. Apply to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, or be nominated by a competent UAE authority. #### After you arrive - 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 months** Applies 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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **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. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27) · Application fee for the Blue Residence residence service. (source 3) - A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27) · Smart service fee. (source 3) - A fee of AED 100 a year (≈ $27) · Residence issuance fee per year of validity (AED 1,000 (≈ $270) for 10 years). (source 3) #### Requirements - The applicant is an environmental or sustainability advocate, such as a member of an international body, award winner, activist or researcher. (sources 1, 2) - Proof of membership and participation in environmental initiatives is required. (source 1) - Official letters, membership certificates and supporting documents are required. (source 1) - Recommendation letters and certificates of recognition are required. (source 1) - Apply to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, or be nominated by a competent UAE authority. (sources 1, 2) - Applicants outside the UAE receive a six-month multiple-entry entry visa, renewable for six months, to complete the procedures. (source 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. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Blue Residence Guide](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-blue-residency/) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Blue visa](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/the-blue-visa) · UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Issuing Residency Permit (terms, fees and documents for each applicant category)](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e64) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · checked 2026-10-12 4. [Work permits](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/Sector-of-employment/employment-in-the-private-sector/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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-exceptional-talent/) | – | 10 yr, renewable | – | | [Golden · Humanitarian pioneer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-humanitarian-pioneers/) | – | 10 yr, renewable | – | | [Golden · Scientists](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-scientists-specialists/) | – | 10 yr, renewable | – | | [J-Find](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/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 [Virtual Work Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/virtual-work-visa/) [Golden · AED 2M deposit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-investor-public-investment/) [Golden · AED 2M property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-real-estate-investor/) [Golden · Humanitarian donor](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-humanitarian-supporter/) [Retirement visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/retirement-visa/) [Golden · Company investor](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-investor-company-capital/) [Golden · Taxpaying company](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-investor-tax-contribution/) [Green · Investor / partner](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/green-investor-partner/) ## Special talent visas elsewhere [🇮🇩 Golden Visa · Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e33b-special-talent/) [🇸🇬 ONE Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/one-pass/) [🇰🇷 Top-Tier · science](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/f2t-top-tier-science/) [🇹🇼 Employment Gold Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/taiwan/employment-gold-card/) [🇭🇰 QMAS](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/qmas/) [🇦🇺 Skilled Regional 491](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skilled-work-regional-491/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## 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. 1. [Blue Residence Guide](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-blue-residency/) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Blue visa](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/the-blue-visa) · UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Issuing Residency Permit (terms, fees and documents for each applicant category)](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e64) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · checked 2026-10-12 4. [Work permits](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/Sector-of-employment/employment-in-the-private-sector/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](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.