UAE Freelancer Visa and Green Visa:
Self-Sponsored Residence
The UAE Green Visa is a five-year, self-sponsored residence visa for freelancers, self-employed people, skilled workers and eligible investors or partners. Freelancers need an MOHRE freelance permit and either proven self-employment income or financial solvency. Maven& checks your route, prepares your file and manages the application.
- Five-year self-sponsored residence
- Route and eligibility checked first
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- Green Visa partner
Years of residence
The Green Visa is valid for five years and renewable.
AED income benchmark
Freelancers show AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years, or financial solvency.
Team from start to launch
One consultant handles your application, approvals, visas and bank account introductions.
- Who can apply
Who can get a Green Visa
Freelancers and self-employed
People with an MOHRE freelance permit who work for several clients.
Skilled workers
Skilled employees in qualifying job levels, subject to salary rules.
Investors and partners
Investors and partners who meet the ICP rating and approval requirements.
Freelancers in free zones
Free zones such as SHAMS and DAFZA also offer freelance permits for individuals.
What does the freelancer Green Visa need?
The requirements below follow the published freelancer criteria. We confirm the current rules before you apply.
- MOHRE permit: freelancers need a freelance or self-employment permit.
- Education: a bachelor degree or specialised diploma is generally required for freelancers.
- Income: self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 a year for the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency.
- Self-sponsored: the visa does not depend on one employer, and holders can sponsor first-degree relatives.
- Grace period: Green Visa holders get a longer grace period after expiry or cancellation than standard visas.
- Green vs Golden vs standard
Green Visa vs Golden Visa vs employment visa
All three give residence. They differ in who sponsors you and the entry bar.
| Feature | Green Visa | Golden Visa | Employment visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 5 years | 5 or 10 years | Linked to the contract |
| Sponsor | Self-sponsored | Self-sponsored | Employer |
| Who it suits | Freelancers, skilled workers and investors | Investors, founders and specialists | Employees |
| Entry bar | Lower income thresholds | Higher investment or talent thresholds | A job offer |
- Green Visa routes
Three Green Visa routes
Route
For self-employed professionals
- MOHRE freelance permit
- Income or solvency proof
- Degree or diploma
- Self-sponsored residence
Final cost depends on your case, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Route
For qualifying employees
- Qualifying job level
- Salary rules apply
- Employment documents
- Self-sponsored residence
Final cost depends on your case, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Route
For investors and partners
- ICP rating and approval
- Investment documents
- Partner documents
- Self-sponsored residence
Final cost depends on your case, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does freelancer and Green Visa cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your case, the authority fees and the work involved. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every government and service fee before you commit.
- Government and authority fees
- Medical test and Emirates ID, where required
- Typing and application fees
- Extra approvals, if your case needs them
- Attestation or translation, if needed
- Maven& service fee
- How it works
How to get a Green Visa in 5 steps
Confirm your route
We check whether you qualify as a freelancer, skilled worker or investor.
Prepare your documents
We prepare the permit, income proof and certificates.
Apply for the entry permit
We submit the Green Visa entry permit through the authority.
Medical test and Emirates ID
You complete the medical test and biometrics after entry.
Green Visa issued
Your five-year visa is issued and you can sponsor eligible family.
Documents required for a Green Visa
The documents depend on your route. This list covers what most freelancers prepare first.
- Passport copy with sufficient validity
- MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit
- Proof of income for the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency
- Degree or diploma certificate, attested
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- Medical fitness test result
- Emirates ID application
- Family documents, attested, if adding family
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for freelancer and Green Visa
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right route checked before you pay
Rules and requirements change by visa type and authority. We check your route and eligibility before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- FAQs
freelancer and Green Visa: frequently asked questions
It is a five-year, self-sponsored residence visa for freelancers, self-employed people, skilled workers and eligible investors or partners.
Freelancers and self-employed people with an MOHRE permit, skilled workers in qualifying levels, and investors or partners who meet the ICP requirements.
Freelancers need self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency for the stay.
Freelancers generally need a bachelor degree or specialised diploma under the published criteria. We confirm this for your case.
Yes. Green Visa holders can sponsor first-degree relatives. See family and dependent visas.
The Green Visa is five years with lower income thresholds, while the Golden Visa is 5 or 10 years with higher investment or talent thresholds.
Yes for freelancers. An MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit is part of the requirements.
The cost depends on your case, the authority fees and the work involved, so there is no single price. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
The timeline depends on your case, the authority, your documents and any approvals. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. We confirm your route and eligibility, prepare the application, manage approvals and follow the process through to your Emirates ID. Final approvals are always the authority\u2019s decision. Contact us for an itemised quote.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to start with freelancer and Green Visa?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a plan built around your case. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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