Emirates: What are the conditions for green residence for five years?

 The UAE government will issue three categories of 'Green Iqama' to foreigners. This Iqama will be for five years.

According to Emirates News Agency, Emirates officials have said that green Iqama is for investors or business license holders, highly skilled and freelancers.

Emirates officials say that according to the green Iqama permit, a foreigner will have the right to stay in the country for five years without the sponsorship of an employer. On completion of five years, extension for another five years will be possible. There is a possibility of expansion even after that.

According to the Federal Law of the Emirates, the implementation of the Green Iqama Law will start from next month.

Emirates has set three conditions regarding green accommodation for freelancers. The first condition is that he obtains a freelance permit from the Ministry of Manpower. The second condition is that he is a graduate or a special diploma holder and his annual income is not less than 360 thousand dirhams. This income has to be shown from the records of two years prior to the application.

The Emirates has laid down four conditions regarding Green Iqama holders for skilled workers. The first is that he holds a work permit under an effective contract of employment in the Emirates. The second condition is that he falls in the first, second or third category in the classification of occupations. The third condition is that he is at least a graduate, the fourth condition is that his monthly income is not less than fifteen thousand dirhams.

Emirates has set three conditions for granting Green Iqama to an investor or business partner. The first is to obtain investment approval from the concerned institution in accordance with the Investor Classification Act. Provide evidence of investment value or contributions. Obtain a business permit from the relevant institution.