Who qualifies for the UAE green visa and how is it different from a work visa?

The green visa is a five-year residence permit you hold in your own right, without an employer or other sponsor, and skilled employees are one of the main groups it covers. To qualify as a skilled employee you generally need a valid employment contract, a bachelor's degree or equivalent, a job classified in the higher occupational skill levels, and a monthly salary meeting the published threshold, currently in the region of fifteen thousand dirhams. Freelancers and self-employed people can also qualify with a freelance permit and proof of income or financial solvency. The practical differences from a standard work visa are significant: the green visa lasts five years instead of the usual two, it is not tied to one employer, so changing jobs does not put your residence at risk in the same way, you get a longer grace period to remain in the country if your job ends, and you can sponsor family members. It sits below the golden visa, which targets investors and exceptional talent with longer durations. Check the current criteria on the official ICP portal before applying, since thresholds get updated. A UAE immigration adviser or licensed lawyer can confirm which category your documents actually satisfy.