Good news for Canadians: The UAE does not require a visa to visit for up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days). For long-term residency, you'll need one of the visas below. The process is well-established — millions of expats navigate it successfully every year. This guide is specific to the Canada → UAE pathway.
Employment Visa
Sponsored by your UAE employer — the most common route for Canadians
Requirements
- Valid job offer from a UAE-registered company
- Signed employment contract
- Valid passport (min. 6 months validity)
- Passport-size photos
- Medical fitness test (done in UAE)
- Emirates ID registration
- Education certificate attestation
What you get
- Legal right to live and work in the UAE
- Ability to sponsor spouse and children
- Access to UAE bank accounts
- Driving licence conversion
- Emirates ID card
- Access to private health insurance
Canadian tip: Most UAE employers cover visa costs as part of the package. Always confirm in your offer letter whether visa fees, flights, and initial accommodation are included — these are standard negotiation points.
Green Visa
5-year self-sponsored visa for freelancers and skilled professionals
Requirements — Freelancer route
- Freelance permit from a UAE free zone
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Proof of income: AED 360,000/yr minimum
- Valid passport
- Medical fitness test
- Health insurance
Requirements — Skilled professional route
- Valid UAE employment contract
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Minimum monthly salary: AED 15,000
- Occupational level 1, 2, or 3 (MOHRE classification)
- Medical fitness test
- Health insurance
Best for: Canadian consultants, remote workers, designers, tech professionals, and anyone who wants flexibility without being tied to one employer. You can work with multiple clients and switch projects freely.
Golden Visa
10-year residency for investors, property owners, and exceptional talent
Eligibility routes
- Property ownership of AED 2M+ (can include mortgaged)
- Business investment of AED 2M+
- Public investment fund deposit of AED 2M+
- Angel investor (AED 500K+ in approved startup)
- Exceptional talent (doctors, engineers, artists, athletes)
- PhD holders and top university graduates
Key advantages
- No residency loss if outside UAE 6+ months
- Sponsor spouse, children, and parents
- No employer dependency — fully self-sponsored
- 10 years of stability and certainty
- Access to premium banking and services
- Renewable indefinitely
Canadian tip: If you're buying property in Dubai anyway, buying at AED 2M+ qualifies you for the Golden Visa automatically. Many Canadians combine their property purchase with their visa strategy — it's the smartest double move.
Family Visa
Sponsor your spouse and children once you have your own UAE residency
Who can be sponsored
- Spouse (husband or wife)
- Children under 18
- Sons up to 25 if in full-time education
- Unmarried daughters of any age
- Parents (under Golden Visa route)
Documents needed
- Sponsor's valid UAE residence visa
- Marriage certificate (attested)
- Birth certificates for children (attested)
- Passport copies for all dependents
- Medical fitness tests for each dependent
- Proof of accommodation in UAE
Important: Canadian documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates) must be attested before use in the UAE. The process: notarize in Canada → Global Affairs Canada → UAE Embassy in Ottawa. Start this process 2–3 months before your move.
Retirement Visa
5-year residency for Canadians 55+ who meet financial thresholds
Meet ONE of these requirements
- Property worth AED 1,000,000+ in UAE (~CAD 370K)
- Savings of AED 1,000,000+ in UAE bank account
- Monthly income of AED 20,000+ (~CAD 7,400/mo)
- Dubai residents: AED 15,000/mo income (~CAD 5,550)
What you get
- 5-year renewable UAE residency
- No employment required
- Sponsor spouse and dependents
- 0% income tax on pension/investments
- Access to world-class private healthcare
- 320+ sunny days — enjoy retirement properly
Canadian retirees: Your Canadian pension (CPP, OAS, RRSP withdrawals) is taxed in Canada but not in the UAE. Depending on your situation, this can mean significant savings. Always consult a cross-border tax advisor before making the move.
Compare all visa types
A quick side-by-side for Canadians deciding which route to take.
| Visa type | Validity | Self-sponsored | Sponsor family | Min. cost (CAD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💼 Employment | 2–3 yrs | ✗ | ✓ | ~$1,100 | Job offer in hand |
| 🌿 Green (Freelance) | 5 yrs | ✓ | ✓ | ~$1,300 | Freelancers, remote workers |
| ⭐ Golden | 10 yrs | ✓ | ✓ | ~$1,040 | Investors, property owners |
| 👨👩👧 Family | Matches sponsor | ✗ | N/A | ~$740/person | Spouse & children of residents |
| 🌴 Retirement | 5 yrs | ✓ | ✓ | ~$1,110 | Canadians 55+ |
Ready to start planning your move?
Join the waitlist for personalized visa guidance, checklists, and AI-powered planning tools.
Information sourced from UAE ICP, GDRFA Dubai, u.ae (official UAE government portal), and IFZA — updated June 2026.
Visa requirements and fees change frequently. Always verify current requirements at u.ae or consult a licensed UAE immigration adviser before applying.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.