Rules as of 29 October 2026. Checked against the UAE government portal (u.ae), ICP, MoHRE and the Dubai Land Department.
The short answer: to move to Dubai you need a residence visa: through an employer, through your own company, as a freelancer, or on a long-term Golden or Green Visa. Then come the medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID, health insurance, a home with a registered lease, a bank account and, if your family comes, their visas. If you plan to run a business, setting up your own company is often the fastest route, because the company sponsors your visa.
Step 1: choose your visa route
| Route | Who it suits | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Your own company (investor or partner visa) | Founders, consultants, online businesses | Usually 2 years, renewable |
| Employment | You have a job offer from a UAE company | Usually 2 years |
| Freelance permit | Listed professions, working for several clients | Usually 2 years |
| Green Visa (freelancers) | Freelancers with a MoHRE permit, a degree or specialised diploma, and at least AED 360,000 a year from freelance work over the last two years | 5 years |
| Golden Visa | Property of AED 2 million+ in Dubai, investors, skilled professionals on AED 30,000+ a month, exceptional talent | 5 or 10 years |
| Property investor visa (Dubai) | Property owners below AED 2 million | 2 years |
Compare them in detail: residence visas, freelance visas and the Golden Visa.
Step 2: if you will run a business, set up the company first
Most people moving to run their own business set up a Free Zone company: 100% foreign ownership, a flexi-desk instead of an office, and the company sponsors your residence visa. You can do most of it from abroad and come to Dubai for the medical test and biometrics. Every company must register for corporate tax (0% up to AED 375,000 of profit, 9% above) and keep books. Start with business setup in Dubai and our cost guide.
Step 3: the visa process
- Entry permit if you are outside the UAE, or a status change if you are already here.
- Medical fitness test (for everyone 18 and over).
- Biometrics for the Emirates ID.
- Residence visa and Emirates ID issued.
Keep in mind: a normal residence visa is cancelled if you stay outside the UAE for more than 180 days in a row. Golden and Green Visas are not.
Step 4: health insurance
Since 1 January 2025, health insurance is required across the UAE for private-sector employees and domestic workers before a residence permit is issued or renewed (MoHRE). Dubai already required health insurance for residents. If you sponsor yourself through your own company, plan an individual or company policy.
Step 5: bring your family
A UAE resident can sponsor a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs, with a salary of at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation (u.ae). Golden Visa holders can sponsor children of any age and their parents. Marriage and birth certificates from abroad need MOFA attestation, so start early. See family visas.
Step 6: home, bank and daily life
- Housing: rental contracts in Dubai are registered with the Dubai Land Department's Ejari system. A registered lease is often asked for in other applications.
- Bank account: personal accounts usually need your Emirates ID; a company account needs the company documents. See bank account opening.
- Tax residence: if you leave a high-tax country, a UAE tax residency certificate helps prove where you live for tax. It has its own conditions, such as days spent in the UAE.
A realistic timeline
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Free Zone licence (documents ready) | A few working days in most zones |
| Residence visa and Emirates ID | About 2–3 weeks once you are in Dubai |
| Business bank account | Several weeks, depending on the bank |
| Family visas | After your own visa, once attested documents are ready |
Questions
How can I move to Dubai without a job?
Set up your own company, which sponsors your residence visa, or qualify for a freelance permit, a Green Visa as a freelancer, or a Golden Visa (for example through property of AED 2 million or more in Dubai).
What salary do I need to bring my family to Dubai?
At least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 a month plus accommodation, according to the UAE government portal.
Do I need health insurance in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai requires health insurance for residents, and since 1 January 2025 it is required across the UAE for private-sector employees and domestic workers before a residence permit is issued or renewed.
Can I keep my residence visa if I travel a lot?
A normal residence visa is cancelled after more than 180 days in a row outside the UAE. Golden and Green Visa holders can stay abroad longer.
Can I set up a company in Dubai from abroad?
Yes, most Free Zone setups can be done remotely. You come to Dubai for the medical test and biometrics for your visa.
Sources
- UAE government portal: residence visa for family members
- UAE government portal: general provisions for the residence visa
- ICP: Green Residency and Golden Residency
- MoHRE: health insurance scheme
- Dubai Land Department: property investor residence
Next step: Business setup in Dubai
