Residency
Emirates ID and UAE Residency: Every Route Explained (2026)
· 6 min read
Author: Vinícius Cavalcanti · Reviewer: Nathan Gomes
Key points
- The Emirates ID is the UAE's identity card for residents. Since 2022 it has replaced the visa sticker in the passport as proof of residence.
- You get an Emirates ID by holding a residence visa. The main routes are employment, a freelance permit, your own company, the Golden Visa, the retirement visa and the remote work visa.
- The 10-year Golden Visa through property requires AED 2 million in real estate; the retirement visa (55+) requires AED 1 million in savings or property, or AED 20,000 a month in income.
- UAE residency does not end your obligations at home: U.S. citizens, for example, still file U.S. returns and FBARs.
How do you get an Emirates ID?
You apply for a UAE residence visa, and the Emirates ID is issued together with it. The visa can be sponsored by an employer, by your own company, by a family member who is a resident, or by yourself under the Golden Visa, Green Visa, retirement or remote work programs. The application includes a medical test, biometrics and, for most routes, health insurance.
The UAE attracts expatriates with its economy, infrastructure and safety. This guide explains each route, who it suits and what it requires.
What the Emirates ID is
The Emirates ID is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). It is mandatory for all residents, citizens and expatriates alike, contains biometric data and is used to open bank accounts, sign contracts and leases, access healthcare and government services, and travel within the region. Since April 2022, it has also replaced the residence sticker in the passport as proof of residence.
To obtain it you need a valid residence visa, which allows a foreigner to live (and, depending on the type, work) in the UAE for a fixed period and can be renewed. The type of visa depends on the purpose and length of the stay.
Residency through employment
The most common route is a job offer. A company registered in the UAE applies for the work permit and residence visa on the employee's behalf and pays the related costs.
- The employer obtains approval and a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
- The employee enters the UAE on an entry permit, or changes status if already in the country.
- The employee completes a medical test and biometrics.
- The residence visa and the Emirates ID are issued together.
Freelancers and self-employed professionals
Independent professionals can obtain a freelance permit, from MOHRE or from a free zone that offers freelance packages, and a residence visa linked to it. Those with higher incomes can apply for the five-year Green Visa, which is self-sponsored: it requires a bachelor's degree or specialized diploma and self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years.
- Obtain the freelance permit or free zone licence.
- Prove qualifications and experience where the activity requires it.
- Apply for the residence visa (or the Green Visa if you qualify).
- Complete the medical test and biometrics to receive the Emirates ID.
Residency through your own company
Shareholders of a mainland or free zone company can obtain an investor or partner visa sponsored by that company, usually valid for two years and renewable. Offshore companies cannot sponsor visas. How to choose the company type is explained in our guide on how to open a company in Dubai.
- Set up the company and obtain its licence.
- Apply for the establishment card (the company's immigration file).
- Apply for the investor or partner visa.
- Complete the medical test and biometrics to receive the Emirates ID.
The Golden Visa: 10-year residency
The Golden Visa is a long-term, self-sponsored residence of five or ten years that does not depend on an employer. The main routes are:
- Property investors: real estate worth at least AED 2 million, including mortgaged or off-plan property once a certified valuation reaches that amount.
- Investors in funds or companies: AED 2 million in approved investments.
- Entrepreneurs: a project approved by the authorities, with thresholds that start at AED 500,000 for innovative projects.
- Skilled professionals, scientists, exceptional talents and outstanding students, under their own criteria.
Golden Visa holders can sponsor their family and stay outside the UAE for long periods without losing residency.
| Route | Who it suits | Main requirement | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Employees of UAE companies | Job offer and work permit | Usually 2 years |
| Freelance / Green Visa | Independent professionals | Freelance permit; Green Visa: AED 360,000 a year | Up to 5 years |
| Company shareholder | Business owners | Mainland or free zone company | Usually 2 years |
| Golden Visa | Investors, entrepreneurs, talent | E.g. AED 2 million in property | 5 or 10 years |
| Retirement | Aged 55+ | AED 1 million savings or property, or AED 20,000 a month | 5 years |
| Remote work | Employees of foreign companies | USD 3,500 a month | 1 year |
Other routes
Retirement visa
People aged 55 or over can obtain a five-year renewable retirement visa with savings of AED 1 million, property worth AED 1 million, or a monthly income of at least AED 20,000.
Remote work visa
Employees of companies outside the UAE can live in the country for one year, renewable, with a monthly income of at least USD 3,500, health insurance and proof of employment.
Family visas
Residents who meet the income or accommodation requirements can sponsor a spouse, children and, in some cases, parents.
Each visa has its own requirements for documents, sponsorship and income, and its own rules on bringing family, owning a business or buying property. They should be reviewed carefully before choosing a route.
What UAE residency does not change
The UAE has no personal income tax, but becoming a UAE resident does not automatically end your tax residence elsewhere. Each country has its own rules for leaving its tax system. U.S. citizens and green card holders are taxed on worldwide income wherever they live: they keep filing Form 1040, may use the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign tax credits, and must report UAE bank accounts on the FBAR.
See our guide to FBAR requirements for U.S. citizens.
Bottom line
The UAE offers a residence route for almost every profile: employees, freelancers, business owners, investors, retirees and remote workers. The right choice depends on how you earn your income, how long you want to stay and whether you need to bring your family.
Our Private Advisory Session compares the residence routes with your company structure and your tax position in your home country.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I get an Emirates ID without a job in the UAE?
Yes. You can be sponsored by your own company, by a resident family member, or hold a self-sponsored visa such as the Golden Visa, the Green Visa, the retirement visa or the remote work visa.
How much do I need to invest for the UAE Golden Visa?
The property route requires real estate worth at least AED 2 million. Other investment routes also start at AED 2 million, while some entrepreneur routes start at AED 500,000.
Does buying property in Dubai give residency?
Yes, above certain values. Property worth AED 2 million qualifies for the 10-year Golden Visa, and people aged 55 or over can use property worth AED 1 million for the retirement visa.
Does an offshore company in the UAE give me a visa?
No. Only mainland and free zone companies can sponsor residence visas.
Do U.S. citizens pay U.S. tax while living in the UAE?
Yes. The United States taxes citizens on worldwide income wherever they live. Americans in the UAE keep filing U.S. returns and FBARs, although exclusions and credits often reduce the tax due.