United Arab Emirates

ARE

The UAE has continued expanding its Golden Visa program to cover a wider range of professions, investment tiers, and nomination routes, cementing it as the primary long-term residency vehicle for HNWIs and skilled professionals. The newer Blue Residency, aimed at environmental and sustainability contributors, has added another specialised long-term track. Banking access remains a friction point, with UAE banks continuing to tighten KYC and source-of-funds requirements for new account holders, particularly non-resident and high-risk-jurisdiction applicants.

Naturalisation: 30 years
Tax system: No Income Tax
Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
Dual citizenship: Not allowed
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Region: middle east
Population: 9,890,000
Cost-of-living: 65 /100

→ If you hold a United Arab Emirates passport, see the United Arab Emirates nationality guide

Passport Rank

#15

Visa-Free

178

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Abu Dhabi
Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
Languages: Arabic, English
Population: 9,890,000
Tax System: No Income Tax
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed
Naturalisation: 30 years
Schengen / EU: No
Climate: Desert
English Proficiency Rank: #22

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

180

Tax Summary

Tax System: No Income Tax
Territorial Taxation: No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation: 30 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed

Cost of Living by City

← scroll the table →

Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
Dubai	$2,800	$1,800	$420	$200	$70
Abu Dhabi	$2,500	$1,600	$400	$190	$60
Sharjah	$1,400	$900	$360	$160	$50

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Dubai

19°J

21°F

24°M

28°A

33°M

36°J

39°J

40°A

37°S

33°O

27°N

21°D

Rainfall range: 0–20 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)

Abu Dhabi

20°J

21°F

25°M

29°A

34°M

37°J

39°J

40°A

37°S

33°O

27°N

22°D

Rainfall range: 0–17 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)

Sharjah

19°J

21°F

25°M

29°A

34°M

37°J

39°J

40°A

37°S

33°O

27°N

21°D

Rainfall range: 0–18 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)

Visa Categories & Immigration Authority

Major Visa Categories

Tourist 30-Day Visa
Tourist 60-Day Visa
Visit Visa
Employment Residence Visa
Investor Residence Visa
Golden Visa (10-Year)
Green Visa (5-Year)
Retirement Visa
Student Visa
Freelance Visa
Family Sponsorship Visa
Virtual Work Visa

Authority: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security
Official Portal: icp.gov.ae
Phone: +971-600-522222
Email: info@icp.gov.ae

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 30
Language Test: No
Civic Test: No
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: Yes
Fee: $0
Processing: ~36 months

Real Estate

Avg price/sqm (capital): $4,500
Transaction taxes: 4%

Foreign buyers: Foreigners may purchase freehold in designated freehold zones (e.g. Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai). Outside these zones, leasehold up to 99 years is available. No income tax. 9% corporate tax introduced June 2023 on profits above AED 375,000. Dubai property typically AED 13,000–20,000/sqm (~$3,500–$5,500/sqm).

International Schools

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International schools by city, curriculum, and annual tuition
School	City	Curriculum	Tuition (USD/yr)
Dubai American Academy	Dubai	American	$16,000–$28,000
GEMS World Academy Dubai	Dubai	IB	$18,000–$32,000
Brighton College Dubai	Dubai	British	$19,000–$34,000

Daily Life Logistics

Internet

300 Mbps median

95% fibre coverage

eSIM: Etisalat (e&), du

Driving

IDP required

Local licence required after 6 months

Exchange eligible: UK, USA, Canada +5 more

Pet Relocation

Quarantine: none

Rabies titre required

EU pet passport: not accepted

Safety

GPI Rank

#54

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

⚠Taxi meter bypass at Dubai Airport (use Careem/Uber)
⚠fake designer goods in Deira souks
⚠timeshare presentation traps
⚠romance scams targeting expats online

Examples of areas to avoid: Deira backstreets very late night, Al Baraha late night

LGBTQ+ Legal Status

Same-Sex Marriage: Not legal
Civil Partnerships: Not recognised
Anti-Discrimination Law: No
ILGA Rank: #167

Religious Life

Halal Food: Widely available
Kosher Food: Limited
Prayer Facilities: Common

Sample Citizenship Test Questions

Q1. In what year was the United Arab Emirates founded?

Answer: 1971

Source: UAE Ministry of Interior Naturalisation Guidelines

Q2. How many emirates make up the UAE?

Answer: 7

Source: UAE Ministry of Interior Naturalisation Guidelines

Q3. Which emirate serves as the capital of the UAE?

Answer: Abu Dhabi

Source: UAE Ministry of Interior Naturalisation Guidelines

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