United Arab Emirates · Business / Startup
United Arab Emirates Green · Freelancer
Income needed: AED 360k+ a year ≈ $98k
Green Residence - Freelancer and Self-employed
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Green · Freelancer is a business / startup route for United Arab Emirates. Applicants need income of AED 360k+ a year ≈ $98k. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Money needed
- AED 360k+ a year ≈ $98k
- Government fees
- AED 100 ≈ $27 · +2 more
Cost, time and long term
To apply: 3 government fees listed below; income to show AED 360k+/yr ≈ $98k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government feesAED 100 ≈ $27 · +2 more
- AED 100 (≈ $27)Application fee for the Green Residence residence service.
- AED 100 (≈ $27)Smart service fee.
- AED 100 a year (≈ $27)Residence issuance fee per year of validity (AED 500 (≈ $140) for 5 years).
Shown, not spentAED 360k+/yr ≈ $98k
- AED 360,000 a year (≈ $98,000)Annual income from freelance work during the previous two years must not be less than AED 360,000 (≈ $98,000) or foreign-currency equivalent; alternatively proof of financial solvency throughout the residence.
RenewalRenewable
Five-year residence that can be renewed, with specified grace periods after it expires.
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- The applicant holds at least a bachelor's degree, specialised diploma or equivalent.
What you must show2
- Annual freelance income over the previous two years is at least AED 360,000 (≈ $98,000) or the foreign-currency equivalent.
- Alternatively the applicant shows financial solvency throughout the residence.
Documents2
- A freelance or self-employment permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is required.
- Proof of stable annual income or financial solvency covers the whole period of residence.
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
Five-year renewable sponsor-free residence for freelancers and self-employed people with an MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit, a degree or specialised diploma, and average income meeting the annual threshold. 1 2 3
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least AED 360,000 a year (≈ $98,000) · Annual income from freelance work during the previous two years must not be less than AED 360,000 (≈ $98,000) or foreign-currency equivalent; alternatively proof of financial solvency throughout the residence. 1
- A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27) · Application fee for the Green Residence residence service. 2
- A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27) · Smart service fee. 2
- A fee of AED 100 a year (≈ $27) · Residence issuance fee per year of validity (AED 500 (≈ $140) for 5 years). 2
Requirements
- The applicant holds at least a bachelor's degree, specialised diploma or equivalent. 1
- Annual freelance income over the previous two years is at least AED 360,000 (≈ $98,000) or the foreign-currency equivalent. 1
- Alternatively the applicant shows financial solvency throughout the residence. 1
- A freelance or self-employment permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is required. 1
- Proof of stable annual income or financial solvency covers the whole period of residence. 1
Stay
- Five years, renewable; specified grace periods apply on expiry.
- Visa validity: 60 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
Independent work under the freelance or self-employment permit.
Family
Spouse and children may be sponsored under the approved requirements. Your spouse or partner needs their own work permit to work in the United Arab Emirates.
Official sources
- Green Residence Guide · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security · checked 2026-10-12
- 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
Green · Freelancer and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green · Freelancer | Needs income of AED 360k+ a year ≈ $98k | – | – |
| Golden · Entrepreneur | – | 10 yr, renewable | – |
| SMART Visa S · 2 years Thailand | Needs savings of ฿600k+ ≈ $18k | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Business Manager Japan | Needs an investment of ¥30M+ ≈ $189k | 5 yr, renewable | Limited |
| EntrePass Singapore | Needs an investment of SGD 100k+ ≈ $78k | 1 yr, renewable | Limited |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Green · Freelancer?
Income of at least AED 360,000 a year (≈ $98,000). Annual income from freelance work during the previous two years must not be less than AED 360,000 (≈ $98,000) or foreign-currency equivalent; alternatively proof of financial solvency throughout the residence. A fee of AED 100 (≈ $27). Application fee for the Green 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 500 (≈ $140) for 5 years).
How long can I stay on the Green · Freelancer?
Five years, renewable; specified grace periods apply on expiry.
Can I work on the Green · Freelancer?
Independent work under the freelance or self-employment permit.
Can I bring my family on the Green · Freelancer?
Spouse and children may be sponsored under the approved requirements.
How are Green · Freelancer holders taxed in United Arab Emirates?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Green · Freelancer. 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
Business / startup 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 2026-10-11 against 3 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.
- Green Residence Guide · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security · checked 2026-10-12
- 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.