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Which residency route is right for you?
Start from your situation, not from the visa names. Here is where most people land.
JAFZA Is Right for You If
You have a job offer from a UAE company
You own or are starting a UAE business
You freelance or consult
You are employed by a company abroad
You have AED 2 million or top talent
You are 55 or over and financially settled
JAFZA May Not Be Suited If
Your employer sponsors an employment visa. Work visa →
An investor visa, upgradable to the Golden Visa later. Investor visa →
A freelance permit and visa, or the Green Visa if you earn more. Freelance visa →
The remote work visa lets you live here while working for them. Remote work visa →
The Golden Visa gives you 10-year residency. Golden Visa →
The retirement visa suits a long-term move. Talk to us →
If two routes could fit, we will tell you which is cheaper and simpler for your situation on a free call.
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Your Emirates ID
The Emirates ID is your resident ID card, linked to your visa. You need it to bank, rent, get a SIM, register a car and use government services. It renews with your visa.
For UK residents: tax residency
A UAE residence visa lets you become UAE tax-resident, but only if you actually meet the day-count rules, and it does not end your UK tax on its own. Your UK position is decided by the Statutory Residence Test. We plan this with our accounting team, and our living and working guide explains it.
Family sponsorship
Most residence-visa holders can sponsor a spouse, children and parents, if they meet the salary and housing thresholds for their route. We set the family visas up alongside yours.
A note on the rules
Residence visa routes, thresholds and fees are set under Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 and updated from time to time by the ICP and GDRFA. The figures here are accurate for 2026 but can change, so we confirm the current requirements for your route before you apply.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The questions UK founders ask us most about choosing where to set up in the UAE. Rules change, so treat these as a guide and confirm your own case before you commit.
What is a UAE residence visa?
It is the permit that makes you a legal UAE resident. It gives you an Emirates ID and lets you live long-term, open bank accounts, sponsor family, get a driving licence and, on the right route, work. It is different from a short visit or tourist visa.
How do I get UAE residency?
Through one of several routes: a job with a UAE employer, owning a UAE business or property, the Golden or Green Visa, a freelance permit, or a remote work visa. Each has its own requirements, and we help you pick the one that fits.
How long is a UAE residence visa valid?
It depends on the route. Employment and property visas usually run two years, investor visas two to three, the Green and retirement visas five, and the Golden Visa ten. All are renewable while you still qualify.
Do I need a job or a sponsor to live in the UAE?
No longer. While employment is still the most common route, the Golden, Green, freelance and remote work visas are all self-sponsored, so your residency is not tied to an employer.
Can I get residency by buying property?
Yes. Owning registered UAE property qualifies you for a property investor visa, and property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify you for the 10-year Golden Visa. We confirm which applies to your purchase.
Can I sponsor my family on a residence visa?
Yes. Most residence-visa holders can sponsor a spouse, children and parents, provided they meet the salary and housing thresholds for their route. We arrange the family visas alongside yours.
What is the difference between a residence visa and a visit visa?
A visit or tourist visa lets you stay for a short period and does not allow you to work, bank or sponsor family. A residence visa makes you a legal resident with an Emirates ID and long-term rights.
How long does a residence visa take?
Most routes take about two to six weeks, covering the entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping. Having your documents ready is what keeps it on the shorter end.
Can I switch between visa types?
Yes. You can usually change category without leaving the country, for a small status-change fee. Many people start on an investor or employment visa and move to the Golden Visa later.
Does a UAE residence visa make me tax-resident?
It can, but not automatically. You become UAE tax-resident only if you meet the day-count rules, and the visa alone does not end your UK tax. Our accounting team plans this with you.
Can I get UAE residency from the UK?
Yes. We handle most of the process remotely for UK applicants, from choosing the route to the paperwork. You usually only travel for the medical and Emirates ID stage, which we arrange around you.
What is the difference between a residence visa and the Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is one type of residence visa, the long-term 10-year one for investors and talent. A standard residence visa is shorter, often two years, and usually tied to a job, business or property.
Find your UAE residency route today
Book a free 30-minute consultation and we will map the simplest route to residency for you.
