6 UAE visas you don't need a boss for
If you're looking to land a long-term UAE visa and don't want to chase a boss for sponsorship, then these might take your fancy.
When long-term residency visas such as the golden visa were first launched in the UAE, they were largely aimed towards those who work in key industries.
But in the past few years, the process has become a lot more open, and it's possible to be eligible without the need for a traditional nine-to-five.
Gamers, influencers, volunteers and more are now able to get their hands on long-term residency permits.
Blue visa
The 10-year blue visa has officially been launched (Credit: Canva)
Officially launched in 2025, the blue visa will grant 10-year residency to people who have made extraordinary contributions to protecting the environment.
Candidates for the blue visa will need to be experts in a range of fields including environmental sciences, marine biology and climate action.
While many of the criteria for the blue visa include professional achievements in the environmental field, global award winners and activists are entitled to apply for the long-term UAE visa.
For more information on the blue visa head here, and to apply for the blue residency, check out the Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security site.
Dubai influencer visa
(Credit: Canva)
Social media influencers, photographers, writers or any other type of content creator are all able to apply for a golden visa.
The creators' visa is eligible for people with a proven track record of impactful content, content creation award winners, show potential for creating value by contributing to the UAE's creative community and those who can demonstrate consistent growth and engagement.
A Creators HQ, which will act as your sponsor, was established in 2025 and aims to grant long-term visas to up to 10,000 content creators.
Humanitarian volunteers
ITP Media Group partners with Dubai Cares for long-term support in the region. Credit: Dubai Cares
First announced on World Humanitarian Day in 2021, this visa applies to humanitarian volunteers as well as those who work in a humanitarian organisation.
Relevant criteria for volunteers include anyone who has carried out at least 500 hours of service, a minister has nominated them as a humanitarian pioneer and those who have won an award of appreciation from a local or international organisation specialising in humanitarian work.
Outstanding students and graduates
Students and graduates could qualify for a long-term UAE visa (Credit: Canva)
Top students and high achievers in the UAE's secondary school system, top UAE university graduates and high achievers from the best 100 universities worldwide are all able to apply for long-term residence.
University students with a grade point average of no less than 3.5 are eligible to apply for the golden visa, while high school students who have obtained an average rate of at least 95 percent in their certificate are also eligible. The families of these students will also be included in the golden visa.
UAE gaming visa
The Dubai gaming visa aims to grow the industry in the emirate (Credit: Adobe Express)
The Dubai government has set up a special website dedicated to the Dubai Program For Gaming 2033, which will focus on bringing talent, content and tech for the industry to the emirate.
Dubai aims to increase its Gross Domestic Product by Dhs3.6 billion ($1 billion) by 2033 from gaming alone and create 30,000 jobs in the industry.
Aimed towards those who make video games, including smaller indie games, the visa form states it is looking for animators, educators, designers, developers, producers and publishers.
UAE investor visa
Property investors can qualify for the golden visa if the property's value is Dhs2 million or more, regardless of whether it's off-plan, completed or mortgaged. There is no minimum down payment requirement for the visa application to go through.
You could also be entitled to a golden visa if you have made significant public investments including a deposit of no less than Dhs2 million in a company's capital, if you're a partner in a company's capital with no less than Dhs2 million or if you have a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that you either pay the government Dhs250,000 annually or that you're a partner in an establishment that pays Dhs250,000 in tax annually.
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