UAE visa resources
Sponsorship in the UAE Residence System
Most UAE residence visas are sponsored, meaning a person's right to stay is tied to an employer, family member, institution or self-sponsorship under a long-term visa.
Important
The UAE residence system is built around sponsorship. Employees are sponsored by their employer via a MOHRE work permit; family members are sponsored by a resident or citizen; and students can be sponsored by an accredited university or a resident parent. Dependants' residence permits are linked to the sponsor, so cancelling the sponsor's visa generally requires cancelling the dependants' visas.
Long-term visas change this dynamic: the Golden visa, Green visa, retirement visa and remote-work visa are self-sponsored, so the holder does not depend on an employer. Golden visa holders also gain expanded sponsorship rights, including sponsoring spouses and children regardless of age and an unlimited number of domestic helpers.
Common sponsor types
- Employer sponsorship via a MOHRE work permit
- Family sponsorship by a resident or UAE citizen
- University/college sponsorship for students
- Self-sponsorship under long-term visas (Golden, Green, retirement, remote work)
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.