United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates GCC citizens
GCC citizens in the UAE
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
GCC citizens is a long-stay route for United Arab Emirates. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Only for passports from 5 countries
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- The applicant is a citizen of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or Saudi Arabia.
Documents1
- GCC citizens need no visa to enter the UAE.
Steps3
- The UAE employer obtains a UAE/GCC national work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
- Once the permit is issued, the GCC national can start work at once without a residence visa.
- The employer registers GCC employees in the social insurance extension system for their home-country scheme.
After you arrive2
- The UAE/GCC national work permit is valid for two years.
- GCC citizens living in the UAE hold an Emirates ID card, renewed through ICP.
When you become tax resident
How United Arab Emirates decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- 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
Citizens of other GCC states need no visa to enter the UAE and can work in the private sector with an employer-obtained work permit, without a residence visa. 1 2 3 4
Requirements
- The applicant is a citizen of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or Saudi Arabia. 1 2
- GCC citizens need no visa to enter the UAE. 1
- The UAE employer obtains a UAE/GCC national work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). 2 3
- Once the permit is issued, the GCC national can start work at once without a residence visa. 2
- The employer registers GCC employees in the social insurance extension system for their home-country scheme. 2
- The UAE/GCC national work permit is valid for two years. 3
- GCC citizens living in the UAE hold an Emirates ID card, renewed through ICP. 4
Stay
- No visa needed to enter; no residence visa needed to work; work permit valid for two years.
Nationality
Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Open to: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.
Work
GCC nationals in the private sector are treated as UAE nationals in employment procedures and Ministry procedures; the employer obtains a work permit and no residence visa is needed.
Official sources
- Do you need an entry permit or a visa to enter the UAE? · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10
- GCC nationals working in the private sector · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-08-12
- Work permits · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10
- Identity card renewal (UAE citizens, residents and GCC citizens) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · checked 2026-10-10
GCC citizens and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCC citizens | – | – | – |
| Visa-free stay (6 months) Hong Kong | – | 6 mo | No |
| Free movement by treaty Australia | – | – | – |
| Free movement by treaty New Zealand | – | – | Yes |
| Free movement by treaty Nepal | – | – | – |
Questions people ask
How long can I stay on the GCC citizens?
No visa needed to enter; no residence visa needed to work; work permit valid for two years.
Can I work on the GCC citizens?
GCC nationals in the private sector are treated as UAE nationals in employment procedures and Ministry procedures; the employer obtains a work permit and no residence visa is needed.
Who can apply for the GCC citizens?
Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Open to: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.
How are GCC citizens holders taxed in United Arab Emirates?
No special regime in our records is tied to the GCC citizens. 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.
Similar 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
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-10 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.
- Do you need an entry permit or a visa to enter the UAE? · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10
- GCC nationals working in the private sector · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10
- Work permits · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10
- Identity card renewal (UAE citizens, residents and GCC citizens) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · checked 2026-10-10
Tracked since 2026-10-11. 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.