United Arab Emirates vs Republic of Iraq
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
United Arab Emirates
The UAE issues residence via employer-sponsored work permits, Golden Visa long-term residence for skilled professionals and investors, the Green Visa for self-sponsored skilled workers, and a remote-work visa for overseas employees.
- Languages
- Arabic
- Currency
- UAE dirham
Republic of Iraq
Iraq publishes tourist eVisa guidance through the Ministry of Interior eVisa portal and a wider consular visa-type framework through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The route set covers tourist eVisa, visit and tourism visas, normal visas, transit, multi-entry visas and work-permit-linked visa or residence cases, with extra caution for employment because MOFA says foreign-worker visas or residence permits generally require a Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs work permit.
- Official portal
- Republic of Iraq, Ministry of Interior eVisa Portal
- Languages
- Arabic, Kurdish
- Currency
- Iraqi dinar
How United Arab Emirates and Republic of Iraq differ
| Dimension | United Arab Emirates | Republic of Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 6 | 6 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 5 | 5 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 1 | 0 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | Arrival → Golden Visa (direct for qualifying income/qualifications) → 10-year residence. Citizenship only via separate Presidential decree. | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | UAE Green Visa | Work-Permit-Linked Visa or Residence Permit |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | Green Visa self-sponsored residence typically 5–15 days end-to-end where documentation is complete. | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | Arabic | Arabic, Kurdish |
| Currency | UAE dirham | Iraqi dinar |
| Primary regulator | MOJ | GDR |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
United Arab Emirates
UAE Green Visa
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- Green Visa self-sponsored residence typically 5–15 days end-to-end where documentation is complete.
- Sponsor required
- No
- Leads to settlement
- No
Republic of Iraq
Work-Permit-Linked Visa or Residence Permit
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- No
Routes unique to United Arab Emirates
Visa routes side by side
United Arab Emirates (6)
UAE Golden Visa
No sponsor · Leads to settlement · 10 years, renewable.
UAE Green Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · 5 years, renewable.
UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa
Sponsor · Non-settlement · 2 or 3 years, tied to employer.
UAE Virtual Working Programme
No sponsor · Non-settlement · 1 year, renewable.
UAE Investor / Partner residence visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · 2 or 3 years, renewable.
UAE freelance permit with residence
No sponsor · Non-settlement · 2–5 years depending on scheme.
Republic of Iraq (6)
Tourist eVisa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · The eVisa portal describes the eVisa as valid for 30 days; applicants should confirm whether their approval is single-entry or multiple-entry in the issued document.
Visit or Tourism Consular Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · MOFA describes tourist visa entry once during three months from grant with a one-month stay; visit visa wording also describes one-month entry and one-month residence for religious or holy-site visits.
Normal Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · One entry during three months from grant, with residence in Iraq not exceeding three months, according to the MOFA page.
Transit and Non-Stop Transit Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Transit visa: one entry within three months from grant and stay up to seven days. Non-stop transit: one supervised transit within three months without stopping.
Multi-Entry Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · MOFA says multi-entry visas may be granted for three months, six months or one year after the legal conditions are met.
Work-Permit-Linked Visa or Residence Permit
Sponsor · Non-settlement · The reviewed MOFA page does not publish a standard work-linked visa or residence-permit grant period; timing depends on the work permit, visa and residence channel used.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, United Arab Emirates or Republic of Iraq?+
United Arab Emirates’s UAE Green Visa is the dominant skilled route; Republic of Iraq’s Work-Permit-Linked Visa or Residence Permit is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.