Immigration Rights
Visa types, residency permits, Golden Visa, Green Visa, kafala reforms, and deportation protections under UAE immigration law.
Covered in this guide:
If you live in the UAE on a visa, your rights come from Federal Law No. 6 of 1973 as updated by Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021. You must hold a valid residence visa and Emirates ID. Entry permits give 60 days to complete medical tests and stamp the visa. End of employment triggers a 30-day grace period (six months for Green Visa). Overstay penalties run AED 100 per day. You can change employers once notice is served. The ICP and emirate GDRFA process applications via their smart apps.
Key Laws
Federal Law No. 6 of 1973
Entry and Residence of Foreigners (as amended)
Core immigration framework — visas, residency, deportation
Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021
Entry and Residence of Foreigners (replaces 1973 Law)
Golden Visa, Green Visa, kafala reforms, and grace periods
Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022
Entry Visas and Residence Permits Regulations
Detailed visa categories, eligibility, and procedures
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
Labour Law (mobility provisions)
Worker's right to change employers and labour mobility
Employment Visa & Work Permit
Working legally in the UAE means clearing two separate hurdles — a work permit and a residence visa — through two different authorities. The order matters; the residence visa can't issue until the wor...
Golden Visa (10-Year Residency)
The UAE Golden Visa grants 10-year renewable residency without the need for a traditional employer sponsor — a landmark change in a country that historically required foreign residents to be tied to a...
Green Visa (Freelancer / Self-Employment)
The Green Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored residency for freelancers, skilled workers, and self-employed individuals — a middle ground between employer-tied visas and the Golden Visa:Freelancers: Must...
Visa Cancellation & Grace Period
When your employment or sponsorship ends, your residence visa must be cancelled. The grace period you receive depends on your visa type:Standard employment visas: After visa cancellation, you have 30...
Kafala System Reforms (Employer Transfer)
The traditional kafala (sponsorship) system tied workers to a single employer, making it difficult or impossible to change jobs without the employer's consent. The 2021 Labour Law introduced land...
Family Sponsorship & Dependent Visas
UAE residents can sponsor family members for dependent residence visas, subject to income and housing requirements:Sponsoring spouse and children: Male residents can sponsor their wife and children. S...
Overstay Penalties & Amnesty Programs
Overstaying a UAE visa carries significant financial penalties and potential legal consequences, but amnesty programmes have periodically offered relief:Daily fines: After the grace period expires, ov...
Deportation Rights & Appeals
Deportation is a common consequence for expatriates convicted of crimes in the UAE — courts frequently order removal from the country as part of the sentence. You have certain rights during this proce...