Two authorities — two income thresholds
The UAE is a federation of 7 emirates with two parallel immigration authorities: ICP administers every emirate except Dubai, while GDRFA handles Dubai separately, with a higher income requirement.
What the process consists of
Beyond the financial threshold, an age and experience condition applies independently of the amount.
How the process runs
A good fit if
A poor fit if
Who runs this programme
Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.
This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.
Frequent questions
Why does the income threshold differ between Dubai and other emirates?
Because the UAE has two parallel immigration authorities: ICP at the federal level for every emirate except Dubai, and a separate GDRFA specifically for Dubai. This is not a source discrepancy but genuinely different official rules from different authorities — both are cited explicitly to avoid confusing applicants.
Which threshold should I plan around if I haven’t decided which emirate to live in?
Plan around GDRFA Dubai’s higher threshold (AED240,000/yr) if Dubai remains an option — that way you’ll meet the requirements whichever emirate you finally choose.
Are age and experience both required at once?
Yes — both conditions are mandatory regardless of the financial proof method: 55+ and 15+ years of work experience.
Does foreign income count?
Yes, income doesn’t have to come from the UAE — foreign-sourced income counts too, at the equivalent of the required amount.
Which is better — income or the asset combination?
Depends on the applicant’s situation: the asset route (property + savings of AED1M each) is uniform across every emirate and doesn’t depend on where you plan to live.
How long is the visa valid?
5 years, with renewal available while financial and age criteria continue to be met.
Sources
Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 26 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.