The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a federation of seven emirates in the Arabian Peninsula, is an exciting destination for US citizens. The country has everything you could possibly want, from sprawling beaches to ancient monuments. The best part is that there is no need to get a UAE visa for US citizens if the stay is shorter than a month. However, if you want to stay longer or work in the UAE, you’ll need a visa to do so.
Whether you’re a freelancer exploring the UAE’s Green Visa, a retiree seeking a relaxed lifestyle, or an entrepreneur eyeing the Golden Visa, this guide will walk you through the requirements, benefits, and costs of obtaining a UAE visa for US citizens.
In this guide you will learn about:
Visa Categories in the UAE
US citizens don’t need to apply for a visa when visiting the UAE if the stay is shorter than a month. However, there are different visa categories depending on your purpose of travel and the length of your stay.
Tourist Visa
Tourist VisaUS citizens get a visa on arrival, valid for 30 days. If you wish to stay in the UAE for longer than a month, you must request more time from the immigration officer at the airport or contact the local immigration office in the UAE and request an extension. You also need to provide a round-trip airline ticket and have a passport valid for at least six months. There is an additional five year multiple entry visa to the UAE valid for 90 day stays.
Work Visas
Work VisasThere are three kinds of visas for working in the UAE. The Green Visa is a self-sponsored visa that lets you work in the UAE for up to five years. This visa is for freelancers, self-employed, and skilled employees. The Standard work visa is valid for up to two years and is for people employed in the private or government sector. While those visas are the most popular, there is also a domestic worker visa.
Retirement Visas
Retirement VisasIf you are older than 55 years and have worked for more than 15 years, you can apply for a residency visa for retirees. The initial visa is valid for five years and can be extended if you meet the criteria.
Golden Visa
Golden VisaThe UAE Golden Visa program is a long-term residence visa that allows you to live, work and study in the Gulf country. The visa is valid for five or 10 years.
Diplomatic or Official Visas
Diplomatic or Official VisasThis visa is restricted to US diplomats and government officials. You’ll need to complete the application form, provide the details of the sponsor or host in the UAE, give the residential address in UAE, and an original letter from one of the US departments explaining the purpose of the trip.
Transit Visas
Transit VisasAvailable to non-US citizens traveling from the US, a transit visa is valid for 96 hours and allow you to enter the UAE while you wait for your connecting flight to a different country.
Discover a world of possibilities: Explore our UAE Golden Visa
A Closer Look at UAE Visas for US Citizens
Green Visa for work
Green Visa for workDepending on your profession, there are different criteria for working in the UAE. Generally, however, the Green Visa is a residency document that lets you stay in the country for up to five years, and you don’t need to be sponsored or employed by a UAE citizen.
Requirements for the Green Visa
Freelancers or self-employed people
- You’ll need a freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- proof of a bachelor’s degree or a specialized diploma
- evidence of annual income from self-employment for the previous two years amounting to not less than AED 360,000, or proof of financial solvency throughout their stay in the UAE.
Skilled employees
- You must have a valid employment contract
- Be classified in the first, second, or third occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Have a salary of not less than AED 15,000 per month
Standard work visa
A US citizen can also apply for the Standard work visa which is valid for two years as long as they meet the following criteria:
- You must be employed in the private or government sector.
- Your UAE employer must apply on your behalf.
Retirement Visa
Retirement VisaThe UAE retirement visa lets you live in the UAE for up to five years and can be extended if you satisfy the criteria.
Retirement Visa Requirements
- You must be older than 55 years or,
- have worked for not less than 15 years inside or outside the UAE
- own a property of no less than AED 1 million or,
- have financial savings of no less than AED 1 million or,
- have a monthly income of AED 20,000
- Provide bank statements for the last six months.
UAE Golden Visa
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency program that offers eligible applicants, such as talented individuals, real estate investors, and business owners, the opportunity to live, work, or study in the United Arab Emirates.
The program provides several benefits, including a renewable five to ten-year residence permit, no requirement to obtain a resident or national sponsor, a reduced minimum stay requirement compared to other visa options, the ability to sponsor family members and domestic helpers, and zero personal income taxes.
UAE Golden Visa requirements
The requirements for the UAE Golden Visa system depend on the applicant’s professional background. However, there are several minimum requirements that all prospective applicants must meet, which are:
- Be over 18
- Provide a notarized copy of their passport
- Have a clean criminal record
- Be clear of all socially dangerous illnesses
- Have valid medical insurance
- have no outstanding debts in the UAE
Who is eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is available to those that fall into the following categories:
- Investors: Real estate investors who purchase property worth at least AED 2 million (approximately $545,000), or those making substantial investments in UAE companies, public investment funds, or bank deposits.
- Entrepreneurs: Founders of start-ups classified as SMEs in the UAE with annual revenues of at least AED 1 million (approximately $270,000), or individuals who have sold their business for more than AED 7 million (approximately $1.9 million).
- Exceptional talents: Innovators, inventors, and individuals with exceptional skills in critical fields such as culture, arts, sports, and digital technology, regardless of education, employment status, salary, or professional level.
- Scientists and professionals: Experts with specialized qualifications or experience in areas such as medicine, engineering, science, research, and technology.
- Outstanding students and graduates: High-achieving students and graduates from UAE universities, or those with a GPA of 3.8 out of 4.0 (or equivalent).
- Humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes: Individuals who have made significant humanitarian contributions or served on the frontlines during crises and emergencies.
Take a look at our UAE citizenship Ultimate Guide!
UAE Golden Visa Application Fee and Costs
With all applications, visa fees must be paid for immigration approval. Investors applying for the UAE Golden Visa are subject to the following visa fees, over and above the initial investment requirements:
Visa application fee | Approximately AED 2,656.75 for the residency permit |
UAE ID application fee | Approximately AED 1,153 for a 10-year Emirates ID |
Medical examination fee | Approximately AED 700 for the medical fitness test |
Administrative processing fee | Approximately AED 1,155 |
Land department fee | Approximately AED 4,020 |
Consular legalization | Approximately AED 1,000 (around $272) per person |
Family residence permit fee (if applicable) | Approximately AED 5,668.50 for each dependent for a 10-year residency |
Family sponsorship file opening fee (if applicable) | Approximately AED 318.75 |
How long does it take to process a UAE visa for US citizens?
The processing time for a UAE visa for US citizens varies based on the visa type. Here are a few examples:
- Visa on arrival: Immediate
- Tourist visa: 3-5 days
- Employment visa: 1-3 weeks
- Retirement visa: 2-4 weeks
- Golden Visa: 1-2 months
Benefits of a UAE Long-Stay Visa
Life in the UAE
UAE Golden Visas provide a safe haven for Golden Visa holders and their family members. UAE residency offers life in one of the wealthiest and most developed countries worldwide, ranked 29th out of 198 countries on our Global Passport Index, considering factors like investment prospects and quality of life. While the UAE is one of the world’s wealthiest countries per capita, it has a lower average cost of living than the United States.
No residency requirements
Unlike most Golden Visas, residing in the UAE to maintain residence permits is optional. Successful UAE Golden Visa applicants who possess a residency permit are typically only required to visit the UAE once or twice a year to maintain the validity of their status.
Tax optimization
With no personal income tax, capital gains tax, wealth tax, or inheritance tax, long-term and temporary visa holders can maximize their income and wealth retention. The absence of corporate tax encourages business growth and attracts international companies, real estate investments, and individuals with proven scientific excellence.
The UAE has also established double taxation treaties with many countries, like Portugal, Canada, Spain, and the UK, preventing individuals and businesses from being taxed twice on the same income.
Banking in the UAE
Those granted a Golden Visa in the UAE have access to the UAE’s banking sector, known for its stability and comprehensive regulatory framework. The Central Bank of the UAE ensures strict oversight and risk management, instilling confidence in customers and protecting their assets.
The UAE has gained a strong reputation as a center for wealth management and private banking services. Banks in the UAE cater to various clientele, providing tailored services, including investment advisory, asset protection, and estate planning.
Opportunity to obtain UAE citizenship
In general, acquiring UAE citizenship by naturalization and a UAE passport often requires a substantial residency period, typically around 30 years, with a valid residency visa, among other requirements.
However, The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreigners Affairs has approved amendments in the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law governing UAE Nationality and Passports, allowing certain eligible holders of a Golden Visa UAE to obtain Emirati nationality by naturalization.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
Frequently Asked Questions About UAE Visa for US citizens
Do you need to provide a round-trip airline ticket with all applications?
No, you only need to provide this kind of ticket for a short-stay visa of less than 30 days, and is usually required for a UAE tourist visa.
Do you need an entry visa for the UAE?
Yes, everybody who enters the UAE will need an entry visa to be in the country legally. You’ll need to provide immigration authorities with your original passport signed (regular passport) to receive entry stamps.
Do US citizens need a tourist visa?
US citizens don’t need to apply for a visit visa if they want to travel to the UAE. When arriving at one of the many UAE airports, citizens only need to provide their US passport to receive a tourist visa on arrival.
What is a United Nations Visa?
This is a specialized visa and one of the United Nations visa requirements is that you are on a diplomatic mission. It is similar to the other official visas, but is a single-entry visa valid for two months, with a maximum stay of one month.
Do US citizens need a visa to travel to the UAE?
US citizens with a valid passport do not need a visa to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for stays of less than 30 days. However, the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the expected arrival date, signed by the bearer, and accompanied by a confirmed round-trip ticket or onward travel ticket.
Is there a Dubai visa for American citizens?
There are a variety of visa options for US citizens to enter Dubai, including, a tourist visa, a visit visa, a business visa, a transit visa, a residence visa, and a Golden Visa.
What are the Dubai entry requirements for US citizens?
The entry requirements for US citizens to Dubai include a passport with six month validity, valid travel insurance, a return ticket (if on a visit visa), a customs declaration. There may be further requirements dependent on the UAE visa type.
Do US citizens need a visa for Dubai specifically?
No, US citizens can visit the UAE for up to 30 days without a visa. However, longer stays will require a visa based on the intention of stay.
Can US citizens extend their UAE visa?
It depends on the visa type. Generally, US citizens can extend their UAE visit visa. If you are on a 30-day visa on arrival, you can apply for an extension of up to an additional 30 days on your prior visa. Extensions are typically processed through local UAE authorities or online via official UAE portals. It’s important to submit the request before your current valid visa expires to avoid fines for overstaying.
Can US citizens work in the UAE on a tourist visa?
No, US citizens cannot legally work in the UAE on a tourist visa. To work in the UAE, they must obtain a valid work visa sponsored by an employer or apply for a self-sponsored visa like the Green Visa for freelancers or entrepreneurs. Working on a tourist visa, even multiple entry visas, can result in legal penalties, including fines, deportation, and bans from re-entry.
