Dubai: The UAE government has introduced a wide array of long-term residency programmes for expatriates, from the Golden Visa for investors, exceptional talents and humanitarian pioneers, to the Green Visa for freelancers, skilled workers and business partners.

There’s another visa category that came into effect last year, with a focus on rewarding and retaining global talent dedicated to environmental protection, renewable energy and the circular economy: the Blue Visa.

What is the Blue Visa?

The Blue Visa is a 10-year residence visa designed for individuals who have made an exceptional contribution towards the environment’s protection and sustainability, both inside and outside the UAE.

The visa was first announced on May 15, 2024, by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as part of the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’ initiatives.

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) officially launched the first phase of the Blue Visa at the World Government Summit in February 2025. Applications opened shortly after, in April of the same year.

Key features of the Blue Visa

The Blue Visa allows visa-holders to live and work in the UAE and contribute to the country’s green initiatives. Here are some of its standout features, according to the ICP:

The Blue Visa offers an extended residency duration of 10 years, rather than the usual residence visa of two years. It is renewable.
It is a self-sponsored residency programme, so it operates without the need for a local sponsor.
Applicants are issued a multiple-entry visa, valid for six months (180 days), and renewable for a similar period, to complete residency procedures.
Visa-holders can apply for residency permits for family members (spouse, children regardless of age, and parents) for 10 years, renewable.
Visa-holders have the ability to sponsor domestic workers.
Individuals who already hold a Golden Visa and meet the eligibility criteria may apply to convert their status to the Blue Visa.
Dependent family members may remain in the UAE for the full duration of the residency period, in the event of the primary visa-holder’s death.

Eligibility criteria

According to MOCCAE, this visa is given to supporters of environmental action across diverse fields, including:

Marine life conservation and marine ecosystem restorations
Land-based ecosystem preservation
Air quality improvement
Sustainability technologies
Circular economy initiatives
Renewable energy
Carbon emissions reduction
Environmental governance and regulatory frameworks

In order to be eligible, individuals must belong to one of the following categories:

Distinguished influencers: This includes members of international organisations, associations, companies, and non-profit groups accredited by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as global award winners. Individuals who have provided financial support of at least Dh1 million to accredited UAE environmental projects also qualify.

Scientists and researchers: Professionals who have made significant achievements in environmental fields, and hold master’s or doctoral degrees in environmental science, energy, sustainability or climate change. The individual is required to have obtained a PhD from a university listed in the world’s top 500 universities, or a master’s degree from a world top-250 university.

Alternatively, a degree from a world top-100 university in a relevant environmental subject can be presented, or the individual can show he/she has achieved high research metrics (such as a Scopus h-index of 10 or higher). The Scopus H-index is a popular metric used to evaluate a researcher's academic impact by combining both productivity and citation frequency.

Investors and entrepreneurs: Individuals and entrepreneurs who have made investments in environmental businesses, with a minimum capital of Dh2 million, or owners of registered small- or medium-business enterprises (SMEs) in the sustainability sector with an annual revenue of at least Dh1 million.

Inventors and innovators: Individuals who hold patents that contribute to UAE’s environmental goals, with approval from the Ministry of Economy or relevant local authorities.

Elite specialists: Senior professionals working within governmental or private environmental organisations, such as executive directors or specialists, with at least a bachelor’s degree. These individuals must be nominated by their employer. Furthermore, competent authorities in each emirate can also nominate individuals for the Blue Visa, based on their unique endeavours and impact on the country’s natural resources.

Required documents

For a seamless application process, you will need to ensure you can provide evidence of your contributions to environmental conservation. Each category has specific requirements, but there are a number of standard documents that apply to all categories. We break them down below, based on the ICP’s application guidelines.

Standard documents

Passport with a validity of at least six months
Recent passport-sized photograph
Nomination approval confirmation from ICP
Detailed curriculum vitae (CV) documenting proof of work and accomplishments in environmental fields

Category-specific supporting documents

Distinguished influencers: These individuals must submit proof of membership in organisations accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as evidence of their contributions. Evidence can include:

Official organisation letter: Confirming active membership, signed by a senior official and stamped.
Membership certificate: Original or certified copy.
Other supporting membership documents: Membership cards, receipts, or emails.
Letters of recommendation: From environmental experts, detailing contributions.
Certificates of appreciation and awards: These must be certified copies.
Scientific and research publications: Copies of published work.
Reports and projects: Copies of environmental work.
Other supporting research documents: Photos, videos, letters from related entity or appreciation letters, as well as permits and approvals.
Proof of organisational accreditation: Evidence of accreditation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Proof of minimum financial contribution (Dh1 million): Bank statement showing the transfer, donation receipts, agreements or memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Scientists and researchers: In order to show evidence of their achievement and impact, scientists and researchers can provide the following documents:

Approval or nomination letter: From the UAE Council of Scientists.
Degree certificate: From their master’s or PhD programme in an environmental field, along with academic transcripts.
Ranking requirement: The candidate must submit a PhD degree from a global top-500 university, or a master’s degree from a top-250 university. Alternatively, they can submit a degree from a top-100 university in a relevant subject. The ICP accepts the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, for this purpose.
Research metrics requirement: Researchers must show proof of Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of 1.0 or higher, which indicates your research is cited at or above the global average. They can also show a Scopus H-index of 10 or higher, which indicates that you have published at least 10 papers that have each been cited 10 times or more in Scopus-indexed literature (the world’s largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature).
Advanced research achievements: Researchers who are able to prove a Scopus H-index above 20, as well as documentation of research and development contributions.

Investors and entrepreneurs: Individuals and SME owners must supply documentation that proves their financial contribution in environment-focused businesses:

Investment documents: Company documents, business plan, feasibility studies, permits and approvals related to an environmental business.
Minimum capital (Dh2 million): Bank statement and supporting financial documents.
Ownership of capital: Declaration and proof of ownership.
SME registration: Registration certificate and proof of ownership.
Revenue requirement (Dh1 million): Audited financial statements and tax reports.
Project approval: Approval letters for environment-focused projects, or business plans and feasibility studies.

Inventors and innovators: These individuals must prove their ownership of related inventions and innovations:

Patent requirement: Patent certificate for the invention, with a detailed description, illustration or models, and proof of added value.
Recommendations: Official letters of approval and supporting documents.
Elite specialists: These individuals must submit the following documents:
Nomination proof: Nomination letter from competent authorities and any supporting documents.
Professional role: Experience certificate, employment contract and job description.
Education requirement: Bachelor’s degree certificate and academic transcripts.
Employer nomination: Official letter from the employer.

How to apply for a Blue Visa

The Blue Visa follows a two-step application process – first, you must receive nomination approval from the ICP, and then proceed with submitting your application. Both these steps can be done through the ICP’s Smart Services portal, however, visa application steps differ slightly based on whether you are applying from within the UAE or abroad. Follow these steps to complete the process:

Step 1: Nomination request

Applicants for Blue Visas can either self-nominate or be nominated by a competent UAE authority, such as MOCCAE, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, and other relevant government bodies working in sustainability sectors.

If you would like to self-nominate, follow these steps:

Visit the ICP Smart Services portal at smartservices.icp.gov.ae and log in using your UAE PASS.
Navigate to ‘Blue Residency Services’ and select ‘Nomination Request’.
Complete the nomination form by filling in your personal details, qualifications and summarising your environmental contributions.
Upload supporting documents, based on the category-specific requirements mentioned above.
Pay the nomination fee.
Submit the application and receive a transaction confirmation via email, along with your nomination request number.

The ICP then reviews and verifies your nomination request. The process takes about two business days, if you have provided all the necessary documents. If nomination is approved, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Visa application from within UAE

Log in to ICP Smart Services and select the ‘Blue Residency Visa Application’ category.
Enter your nomination request number, as well as your full name, contact details, and eligible category.
Provide identification information for UAE residence, via your File Number or Unified Number (UID), which is a 9 to 15-digit number printed on the back of your Emirates ID.
Submit personal details, including your nationality, occupation, date of birth and passport information.
Upload all category-specific documents mentioned previously in the report.
Pay the service fee and submit the application.
Complete your biometrics and medical fitness examination at an approved centre, if required.

UAE residents will undergo a visa status change, if the application is approved, and their current residence visa is changed to the Blue Visa.

Visa application from outside the UAE

Applicants who are not UAE residents must go through an additional step. After receiving nomination approval, they must first obtain a 180-day multiple-entry visa. This allows them to enter the UAE and complete their residency procedures in person.

To apply for the 180-day visa, follow these steps:

Log in to ICP Smart Services and select the ‘Blue Residency’ category. Go to the ‘Entry Permit’ service.
Submit personal details, including your nationality, occupation, date of birth and passport information.
Upload required documents, including a valid passport copy, photograph, and supporting documents verifying your Blue Visa eligibility.
Pay the entry permit fee and submit the application.
You will receive a transaction confirmation via email. Once you receive the multiple-entry permit, it is valid for 180 days from the date of entry. Travel to the UAE and complete all the formalities for your Blue Visa, which include steps similar to a regular residence visa: medical fitness examination, biometric registration, Emirates ID application and final visa stamping.

How much does a Blue Visa cost?

Here is a breakdown of the costs involved in applying for a Blue Visa, according to the ICP:

Visa issuance fees: Between Dh2,800 to Dh4,000
Emirates ID fees (10 years): Dh1,150
Medical fitness certificate: Dh320
Mandatory health insurance: Between Dh500 to Dh2,000 for annual premiums

There may be additional associated costs for service/typing fees, and document attestations, if required.

If all documents are in place and appropriately submitted, the process for applying and receiving the Blue Visa can take just two weeks, from start to finish.

Bulldog shot dead by police after biting rampage