The 14 UAE laws, decisions and regulations on visas & residence in the Polaris Legal Library, each summarised from the official text with status, key provisions and penalties.
Law No. 23 of 2005 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Establishes compulsory health insurance in Abu Dhabi for non-national residents and their families: employers and sponsors must provide cover, insurers and providers are regulated by the health authority (now the Department of Health), and violations carry penalties. The DoH publication includes the implementing regulation. In force four months after Official Gazette publication.
GDRFA Dubai Service: Issuing a Golden Residence Permit (Entrepreneurs)
Dubai's rule page for the entrepreneur Golden residence: a registered pioneering project earning AED 1 million a year, an incubator or Ministry-backed project earning AED 2 million, or a project sold for at least AED 7 million, plus a nomination letter from the Dubai Future Foundation; ten-year permit, fees from AED 1,100, five working days.
GDRFA Dubai Service: Issuing an Entry Visa for Residence without Work – Family Sponsorship
Dubai's service card for sponsoring family: a resident sponsor needs a salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus housing; a business partner's share must be at least AED 48,000; sons can be sponsored to age 25; attested marriage and birth certificates are required; the 60-day entry visa costs AED 200 plus VAT and issues in 48 hours.
Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate of Dubai
Makes health insurance compulsory for nationals, residents and visitors in Dubai. Employers must insure workers at their own cost, may not pass it on, and must keep cover valid; a policy is required to issue or renew residence permits. Fines run from AED 500 to 150,000, doubled for repeat offences. Implemented by DHA Administrative Resolution No. 78 of 2022.
ICP Golden Residency Guide (10-year Golden Visa categories and requirements)
ICP's rule page for the ten-year Golden residence: investors in public investments or real estate (minimum AED 2,000,000 deposit, capital or property value), entrepreneurs (AED 1,000,000 annual SME revenue or approved plan), scientists and specialists, outstanding students, humanitarian pioneers, frontline professionals and exceptional talents, all self-sponsored with automatic renewal.
ICP Green Residence Guide (5-year Green Visa for skilled workers, freelancers and investors)
ICP's rule page for the five-year renewable Green residence: skilled workers need a UAE contract at MoHRE skill levels 1–3, a bachelor's degree and AED 15,000 monthly salary; freelancers and self-employed need a MoHRE freelance permit, a degree or diploma and AED 360,000 freelance income over two years; investors and partners need proof of investment and licences.
ICP Service: Entry Permit Issuance for Real Estate Investor Residency (AED 2 million property Golden Visa route)
ICP service card for the entry permit that starts the property-investor Golden residence: the property must be fully owned by the investor and worth at least AED 2,000,000 confirmed by the land registration department, with valid UAE health insurance and a passport valid six months; fees AED 300 in total and a two-day processing time, leading to a ten-year residence.
UAE Government Portal Guide: Residence Visa for Families of Employees (sponsorship rules and thresholds)
Federal guidance on dependant visas: employees earning AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 with accommodation, may sponsor a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs regardless of job title; Green visa holders may sponsor first-degree relatives; dependants over 18 need a medical fitness test; cancelled sponsors must cancel dependants, who get a six-month grace period.
MoHRE Guide: The Basic Health Insurance Scheme for Private Sector Employees and Domestic Workers (Northern Emirates, from 1 January 2025)
MoHRE's guidance on the Cabinet-approved basic health insurance scheme: from 1 January 2025 employers in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain must buy a policy (AED 320 a year) for each private-sector employee and domestic worker before a residence permit is issued or renewed; workers with permits issued before that date are covered on renewal.
Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022 Issuing the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 Concerning the Entry and Residence of Foreigners
The visa rulebook: defines every entry permit and residence category, including Golden residence for investors, entrepreneurs, talents, scientists, students and humanitarian workers, Green residence for investors/partners, skilled workers, self-employed and freelancers, plus student, remote-work, retiree, property-owner and family permits, and the later-added Blue residency (Article 77 bis). Repealed the 1997 regulations and the 2021 Golden residence resolution.
Cabinet Resolution No. 88 of 2022 Concerning Fees for Services Provided by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security
The federal fee schedule for ICP services: entry visas, residence permits, Emirates ID cards, establishment cards and Golden residence permits (AED 1,100 each). Replaced four earlier fee resolutions and, per the portal, has been amended seven times since, most recently in 2026.
Cabinet Resolution No. 89 of 2022 Concerning the Administrative Fines for Violations Related to the Services of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
Sets the fees and administrative fines under the Emirates ID and residency system: late Emirates ID renewal costs AED 20 per day capped at AED 1,000, late establishment-card renewal AED 100 per month capped at AED 1,000, with the fee schedule for entry permits, residence and identity services annexed.
Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 Concerning Entry and Residence of Foreigners
The framework immigration law replacing Federal Law No. 6 of 1973: passport, visa and approved-port requirements, ICP's power to issue, renew and cancel residence permits of the types set by the Executive Regulation, family sponsorship, the duty to leave when a permit lapses, fines from AED 50,000 for employing or harbouring foreigners unlawfully, and overstay fines, deportation and re-entry bans.
Whether you are establishing a new venture, restructuring an existing enterprise, or exploring residency pathways — we are here to advise.
Arrange a Consultation →