How can I get a 5-year residence visa in the UAE?

A 5-year UAE residence visa is available through several distinct routes, so the right path depends on your profile. The Green Visa for skilled employees, freelancers/self-employed professionals, and certain investors/partners is commonly issued for a multi-year term and allows self-sponsorship. Property investors may qualify for a longer-term investor residence based on owning real estate of a defined value. There is also a separate retirement residence option for eligible older residents who meet financial criteria, and longer Golden Visa routes for higher-tier investors and talent. Each route has its own eligibility conditions, documentation, and fees, set by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and the GDRFA in Dubai. All routes require the standard steps — entry permit or status change, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and health insurance. Because validity periods, thresholds and fees are reviewed periodically, confirm the current criteria for your chosen route on u.ae before applying rather than relying on third-party figures. To match your situation — employment, freelance, property, or retirement — to the correct 5-year route, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.