The UAE Green Visa is a 5-year residency permit for skilled employees, freelancers & investors. Entry costs range AED 5,000–8,500 (permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamping). You must meet one route: employment (AED 15,000+/month salary), freelance work (AED 360,000+/year income verified), or investment (AED 1M+ equity share). Apply via your employer, business sponsor, or investment partner; DBS handles company formation & sponsorship paperwork for Dubai setup applicants.

How DBS simplifies Green Visa & company setup in Dubai

DBS is a Dubai Business Services provider specialising in company formation, trade licences, and UAE visa sponsorship coordination. We do NOT provide tax or legal advice in your home country—you must consult a licensed tax advisor in your own jurisdiction regarding your personal tax status. What we do handle:

✓ End-to-end business setup in Dubai (DET registration, free zone licence, company incorporation)
✓ Trade licence application & approval coordination
✓ Green Visa sponsorship paperwork & MOHRE submission support
✓ Bank introduction & KYC coordination
✓ Fully itemised cost quotes in AED, GBP, USD or your currency
✓ Free free Dubai business setup cost calculator for a ballpark estimate

We give you a straight answer on banking approval odds, exact fee breakdowns, and realistic timelines—no hidden charges. Once your Green Visa is approved, your company is ready to trade, open a bank account, and serve clients in the UAE and beyond.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Green Visa cost in total?

All-in costs range AED 8,500–17,300 excluding bank deposits and insurance. This covers entry permit (AED 1,500–2,500), medical (AED 400–700), Emirates ID (AED 145–300), stamping (AED 600–1,200), trade licence (AED 1,500–3,500), company registration (AED 1,000–2,500), and DBS facilitation (AED 2,500–4,000). Bank deposits are typically AED 10k–50k and separate. Exact costs depend on your visa route (employment, freelance, investment) and business structure. Get a free, itemised quote from DBS on WhatsApp.

What are the three eligibility routes for a Green Visa?

1. Employment: Minimum salary of AED 15,000/month from a UAE employer. 2. Freelance: Annual income of AED 360,000+ verified via 12 months of bank statements, client contracts, or home-country tax clearance. 3. Investment: Ownership of AED 1M+ equity in a UAE-registered company (not just deposits). Each route has different MOHRE approval timelines (10–15 working days after submission) and document requirements. DBS can position you for freelance or investor routes via company setup.

What documents do I need to apply for a Green Visa?

Core documents: valid passport (6+ months), residence certificate from home country, 12 months bank statements, client contracts or employment letter, medical fitness certificate, completed MOHRE Form 1A, and colour photos (4×6 cm). For investment route, add company share certificates. For freelance, include invoice/contract proof of AED 30k+/month income. For employment, add signed employment contract & salary certificate from your employer. DBS prepares the full package; missing documents are flagged early in Day 1–2.

How long does it take to set up a company and get a Green Visa?

Company setup (trade licence approval) takes 3–4 days with DBS. Green Visa MOHRE processing takes 10–15 working days after submission (Day 5 onwards in the timeline). Total end-to-end, including medical & Emirates ID, is 3–7 days for company + 15 working days for visa = approximately 22–30 calendar days. Expedited MOHRE processing is available for an additional fee (reduces to 5–7 working days). Bank account opening can run in parallel.

Does opening a company automatically qualify me for a Green Visa?

No. Opening a company alone does not grant a Green Visa. However, a Dubai-registered company positions you for two visa routes: Freelance (if you invoice clients & earn AED 360k+/year via the company) or Investment (if you hold AED 1M+ equity). You still must meet MOHRE salary, income or investment thresholds. DBS handles the company formation; MOHRE then approves your visa application based on your financial proof & business registration.

Can I transfer my Green Visa between employers in Dubai?

Yes. Unlike traditional employment visas, the Green Visa can be transferred within the same emirate (e.g., Dubai to another Dubai employer) without losing residency, provided your new salary meets the AED 15,000/month threshold and both employers agree. For freelancers & investors, the visa is tied to your business, not an employer, so no transfer is needed. Contact GDRFA or DBS for transfer procedures & timelines in your specific case.

What is the difference between a Green Visa, Golden Visa & Investor Visa?

Green Visa: 5-year residency for skilled workers, freelancers & small investors (AED 15k salary, AED 360k freelance income, or AED 1M equity). Golden Visa: 10-year visa for AED 2M investment (property, deposit, or company equity); as of Feb 2026, mortgaged & off-plan properties qualify. Investor/Partner Visa: 2-year visa for new business owners (~AED 6k–9k all-in). Choose Green for flexibility & lower entry cost; Golden for long-term security & larger investments. DBS assesses your eligibility for all three.

Get expert help in 20 minutes

Talk to DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 or email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com for a free, fully itemised cost breakdown in your own currency — and a straight answer on banking and tax.