Bangladesh → United Arab Emirates: the Employment / Green Visa roadmap
The UAE Green Visa is the main self-sponsored residence route for skilled professionals pursuing a work or career goal, granting a renewable 5-year residency that is not tied to a single employer. To qualify as a skilled employee you need a valid UAE job, a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000, at least a bachelor's degree (or equivalent), and a role in MOHRE occupational levels 1-3. Note that the UAE offers no conventional permanent residence and citizenship is rare and granted only by nomination/Emiri decree, so the "PR/citizenship" path is effectively indefinite renewable residency rather than a defined timeline; government fees are confirmed but total-cost and end-to-end processing figures vary by emirate and free zone.
Moving from Bangladesh
- You apply for the Employment / Green Visa at the United Arab Emirates consulate, embassy, or visa application centre that serves Bangladesh, confirm the office and the current appointment wait for your region.
- Qualifications and work experience earned in Bangladesh usually need a credential assessment or recognition before they count toward United Arab Emirates's requirements.
- Budget for certified translation and apostille or legalisation of your Bangladesh documents (degree, police certificate, civil records).
- Check whether a Bangladesh passport needs a short-stay visa for any in-person biometrics or interview steps.
General guidance for any Bangladesh to United Arab Emirates applicant; the eligibility and fees below are set by United Arab Emirates.
At a glance
Who qualifies
- Hold a valid employment contract with a UAE employer (mainland, free zone, or government)
- Earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000 (base salary registered with MOHRE)
- Possess at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent, attested through UAE verification
- Work in a role classified in MOHRE occupational levels 1, 2, or 3
- Hold a valid passport with at least 6 months validity
- Hold a valid MOHRE work permit / labour card
Your step-by-step roadmap
Secure job and work permit
- Obtain a qualifying job offer at AED 15,000+/month in a MOHRE level 1-3 role
- Have the employer initiate a MOHRE work permit / labour approval
- Attest your bachelor's degree via MOFA / UAE verification chain
Apply for entry permit / status change
- Apply for the Green Visa entry permit through ICP or GDRFA digital channels
- If already in-country, pay the in-country status-change fee (AED 500)
- Receive the entry permit (typically within ~48 hours)
Medical and Emirates ID
- Complete the mandatory medical fitness test
- Register biometrics and apply for the Emirates ID
- Submit residence stamping documents
Residence issuance and family sponsorship
- Receive the 5-year self-sponsored Green Visa residence
- Self-sponsor spouse and children if desired
- Renew before expiry or use the 180-day grace period to switch/renew
Government fees
Timeline & path to citizenship
Timeline: End-to-end, expect roughly 3-6 weeks from work-permit approval to a stamped 5-year Green Visa residence, with the initial entry permit often issued within about 48 hours through ICP/GDRFA digital channels.
Citizenship: The UAE offers no conventional permanent residence: the Green Visa is renewable indefinitely in 5-year cycles, while citizenship is granted only by nomination or Emiri decree (for exceptional talent, investors, and specialists) rather than by a fixed number of years of residency.
This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.