United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates visa processing times
How long does each United Arab Emirates visa take? Below are the typical decision windows for all 6 routes we track, each sourced directly from Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). Click any route to see the full breakdown, including what drives the timeline and whether a priority service is available.
| Route | Published timing | Reality check | Sponsor needed? | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Golden Visa# 5- or 10-year renewable, self-sponsored residence for qualifying investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talent, students and other designated categories. | Not published | No central processing clock Delay trigger: No fixed delay point - use route guidance | No | 2026-09-10 |
| UAE Green Visa# 5-year self-sponsored residence for skilled employees, freelancers, and investors. | Not published | No central processing clock Delay trigger: No fixed delay point - use route guidance | No | 2026-09-10 |
| UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa# Standard employer-sponsored residence for workers recruited by UAE companies. | Not published | No central processing clock Delay trigger: No fixed delay point - use route guidance | Yes | 2026-09-10 |
| UAE Virtual Working Programme# 1-year residence for remote workers employed by companies outside the UAE. | Not published | No central processing clock Delay trigger: No fixed delay point - use route guidance | No | 2026-09-10 |
| UAE Green Residence — investor / business partner# 5-year renewable, self-sponsored Green Residence for investors and business partners in UAE commercial activities. | Not published | No central processing clock Delay trigger: No fixed delay point - use route guidance | No | 2026-09-10 |
| UAE freelance permit with residence# Self-sponsored freelance residence via MOHRE or free-zone freelance permits. | Not published | No central processing clock Delay trigger: No fixed delay point - use route guidance | No | 2026-09-10 |
Source authority: UAE Government Portal — Visa & Emirates ID. Processing times are indicative and change without notice — always confirm before applying.
Cite or reuse this dataset
This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "United Arab Emirates processing times dataset", https://visaatlas.org/processing-times/uae. Latest source check 10 September 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/processing-times
Frequently asked questions
Are these United Arab Emirates processing times official?+
Yes. Every window on this page is the figure published by Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), shown with the date it was last checked. The figures are indicative rather than guarantees, and the linked source is authoritative on the day you apply.