What is the 5-year Green Visa for skilled employees in the UAE?

The Green Visa includes a category for skilled employees that offers a longer, self-sponsored residence than a standard employer-tied work visa. To qualify as a skilled employee you generally need a valid employment contract, a qualification at or above a defined educational level, a job classified in an eligible skill tier, and a salary meeting the threshold set by the immigration authorities. The key advantage is self-sponsorship: because the residence is not tied to one employer, leaving or changing jobs does not automatically cancel it, and it typically allows a grace period to remain in the country. You will still complete the standard steps — entry permit or status change, medical fitness test, Emirates ID and health insurance. The qualification, job-classification and salary thresholds are set by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and are revised periodically, so confirm the current figures on u.ae rather than relying on older blog posts. If you are unsure whether your role and salary meet the skilled-employee criteria, a verified UAE legal professional on LEXAI can review your eligibility.