Planning a move to Dubai in 2026? You wouldn’t be alone, with the famous Middle Eastern hub welcoming a record number of relocating foreign citizens this year. A large chunk of visas being granted in Dubai are to wealthy Brits, disillusioned by the UK’s rising taxes and economic policies. This includes high-profile HNWIs and sports celebrities, a recent example being former Manchester United and England footballer Rio Ferdinand, who moved over with his family in August 2025.
An estimated 250,000 UK citizens now call Dubai home and this number is expected to rise. Its high-quality lifestyle, low taxation and diverse, multinational society are obvious attractions. In fact, around 90% of Dubai’s population are now expats. Dubai’s range of visas – and the fact they’re relatively simple to secure – is another big part of the appeal for overseas buyers.
Unsure what your route to a new life beside the Persian Gulf might be? Here’s an overview of the emirate’s most popular visa and residency options and how to apply for them.
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Do you need a visa for a short visit to Dubai?
If you’re travelling to Dubai for a short stay, such as a holiday, a viewing trip or to explore potential job opportunities, tourist visas are a good place to start. For these visits, multi-entry 90-day visas (valid for six months from the first date of entry) are issued upon arrival to citizens of many countries, including the UK, USA and European Union (EU).
For other nationalities, 30-day or 60-day visas may need to be arranged in advance of arrival. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries do not need a visa to enter the UAE. Find out more on Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism website.
What are your options for working in Dubai?
First things first: non-UAE citizens cannot work in Dubai without a valid visa. Fortunately for foreigners, the emirate is keen to attract all types of professionals, entrepreneurs and HNWIs from all over the world. Without controlled immigration, its ambitious growth plans over the next decade or two would not be achievable.
As a result, Dubai’s government has a range of visa solutions suited to different types of employment or professional profiles. These include the employment (sponsored) visa, the virtual work visa, the green visa, the golden visa and the investor visa. There are fees associated with each and minimum income levels with some.
In addition, there are options for teachers, students and short-term contractors. Another recent addition is the blue visa, for individuals who have made an exceptional contribution towards sustainability and protecting the environment. Meanwhile, foreigners of a certain age with passive foreign income or savings and no need to work have the option of the retirement visa.
Dubai’s popular Employment visa
For working UK, American and European citizens, the most common route to a new life in Dubai is through an employment (or standard work) visa, whereby they are sponsored by a Dubai-based employer. The sponsoring company controls the application process and must have the relevant work permit from Dubai’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). MoHRE controls permits in the emirate through quotas.
The process starts with a job offer to the overseas applicant, typically still living outside the emirate. Once the contract is agreed, the sponsoring company will organise a work permit and work entry visa for the applicant’s arrival in Dubai. This is valid for 60 days from the point of entry. During this timeframe, the applicant must undergo a set of formal checks while the employer organises their new employee’s residence visa. These visas are specific to the job and company and are not transferable. They are valid for two or three years and are renewable.
It is possible to get sponsored for employment if you are already in Dubai. You will need to apply for a change of status and obtain a probationary work permit from the Ministry of Labour valid for up to three months. Or you can exit the country and return. Find out more about Dubai’s Employment visa on the governmental Invest in Dubai website.
Dubai’s visa for remote workers
Also known as the digital nomad or remote worker visa, the virtual work visa allows you to work remotely for an employer or clients based outside of the UAE. You could be a full-time employee of a non-UAE company or self-employed with one or more overseas contracts. What you can’t do is work for Dubai (or UAE) companies.
Providing a residence visa for one year, the virtual work visa can be applied for after entering the emirate with a visa on arrival. And before you ask, Dubai ranks among the world’s best for internet and mobile phone connectivity!
Go green – sponsor yourself in Dubai
Launched in October 2022, the green visa is a five-year visa for high-level skilled workers, freelancers/self-employed people and investors or partners in commercial operations. All applicants must have university degrees or their equivalent.
The main benefit of this visa is that applicants do not need a Dubai-based sponsor, as they effectively sponsor themselves. However, skilled workers do need proof of employment or a contract and freelancers/self-employed people need a relevant permit.
Another advantage is that holders can change employment without needing to go through a new visa application process. They can also sponsor immediate relatives to relocate to Dubai. New applicants apply for a work (or business) entry visa, which gives them 60 days from date of arrival to organise the necessary residence visa. The visa is renewable and there is a 180-day grace period following expiry.
Golden opportunities for investors
Dubai’s version of the golden visa is one of the world’s most accessible, making it popular with a wide range of international HNWIs and entrepreneurs. Key benefits include long-term residency (10 years), no sponsorship requirement, visa-free travel in and out of the UAE, and you can bring your family with you.
As the name suggests, you need to bring a minimum amount of money into Dubai to be eligible. There are different categories of golden visa residency in Dubai, the most popular being investor and entrepreneur. The former requires the applicant to have equity in a property or properties in Dubai worth at least AED2 million (approx. £410k). Alternatively, they can deposit or invest the same amount in a UAE fund or company. The latter applies to applicants who found, own or partner in a pioneering project or start-up in Dubai (minimum income of AED1 million). The golden visa scheme is also available to talented individuals in fields like medicine, science, engineering, culture and sport, as well as humanitarian workers.
Dubai also has a lower-entry investor visa. This requires a property ownership value of AED750,000 (approx. £152k), grants a renewable two-year residency visa and allows the holder to bring immediate family.
Visas for foreign retirees
If you’re over 55 years of age, Dubai’s five-year renewable retirement visa could be the best option. To be eligible, you should meet one of the following: a monthly income of AED20,000; have AED1million savings in a Dubai bank; own equity in a property, with or without a mortgage, worth at least AED1million.
FAQs
Yes, absolutely. There are professional agencies and firms that help people make successful visa applications, find work and obtain residency in Dubai. This includes assisting with residency by investment schemes. Your Overseas Homes can refer you to a partner that does just this.
Being sponsored by a local employer who has offered you a contract is one way of moving to Dubai. Although using an employment visa is the most common route for working professionals, it is not the only way to obtain residency in Dubai. Many visas allow you to sponsor yourself, work remotely or find work once in Dubai.
Yes, you can so long as your visa allows this. Dubai’s golden visa, investor visa and green visa are examples that allow the main holder to sponsor family members to reside in Dubai with them.
Yes. Dubai has an advanced banking system with local and mainstream international banks. Once you have an account there, use Your Overseas Home’s specialist currency partner, Smart Currency Exchange, to exchange currency and transfer funds between the UK and Dubai. There are lots of benefits, which you can read here.
