There’s a new long-term UAE residency visa that you need to know about.
The blue visa will grant a 10-year residency to people who have made extraordinary contributions to protecting our environment.
First announced in 2024, and now officially launched in 2025, you can now apply for the blue visa whether you’re based in the UAE or abroad.
As 2024 is the second consecutive Year of Sustainability for the UAE government, the blue visa aligns with the country’s long-term goals of making the UAE, well, more sustainable.
It aims to amplify and maintain efforts made in the UAE towards making the country a more sustainable place.
The blue visa will be given to supporters of environmental action in the UAE and those who have made extraordinary contributions to environmental protection.
Areas mentioned specifically by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, included marine life, land-based ecosystems, air quality or helped provide sustainability technologies.
Candidates for the blue visa will need to be experts in a range of fields including environmental sciences, marine biology and climate action.
The following are entitled to apply for the blue visa:
- Supporters of environmental action within and outside of the UAE
- Members of international organisations and international companies making a positive impact on the environment
- Members of associations and non-governmental organisations making a positive impact on the environment
- Global award winners in the environmental field
- Distinguished activists and researchers in environmental work from both Emirati nationals and responsible residents advocating for environmental protection
You must also provide the following:
- Proof of work and accomplishments in environmental fields
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity
- A recent passport-sized photo with a white background
What jobs could lead to a blue visa?
- Any roles in the environmental conservation governance sector geared towards making policies that advance environmental governance and regulatory frameworks
- Professionals who are leading efforts to introduce sustainability practices into their industry
- Any roles related to marine life conservation and the restoration of marine ecosystems including research and monitoring projects
- Any roles aimed specifically at supporting global climate objectives such as reducing carbon emissions
If you think you fit into any of the categories above, then you can apply for a blue visa directly through the services of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security.
You can also be nominated and recommended by competent authorities in the state.
Application requirements depend on the category and credentials of applicants but anyone interested needs to provide supporting documents demonstrating their contributions and achievements in sustainability, climate change and environmental protection.
If you want to apply then you must first submit a nomination request or be nominated by a competent authority in the UAE. Once you secure a nomination then that should act as an initial application approval.
The fee for a nomination request is Dhs350.
After you’ve been granted approval for your nomination request you’ll then be able to continue with your application.
If you already live in the UAE then you must update your visa status.
The application will ask for your full name, contact details, category and nomination request number.
You then need to submit personal details including nationality, occupation, date of birth, passport information, faith and your address.
Applicants outside the UAE need to apply for a six-month multiple-entry visa first to allow them to complete the procedure for getting the residency visa.
The procedure for the six-month multiple-entry visa has now been officially launched as of Tuesday May 13 2025.
To get your hands on the multiple-entry visa, you’ll need a valid copy of the applicant’s passport, a recent coloured photograph and supporting documents verifying blue visa eligibility.
Applicants will need to fill in required personal information and upload necessary documents, pay applicable fees, submit an application and receive the transaction confirmation via email. This process should take approximately seven minutes.
