UAE launches 10-year Blue Residency visa; here are all the details

The United Arab Emirates has launched a 10-year Blue Residency visa for individuals who have made ‘exceptional efforts and contributions to protecting the environment, whether marine or land’.

The new visa was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. In a post on social media platform X, he said, “The year 2024 will be the year of sustainability. Today we approved the “Blue Residency” which is a long-term residency for a period of 10 years that will be granted to individuals with exceptional contributions and efforts in the field of protecting the environment, whether marine or land or the quality of the air environment, sustainability and its modern technologies, the circular economy, or other fields.”

“The sustainability of our economy has become linked to the sustainability of our environment and our national directions in this area are clear and consistent,” he added.


Eligible individuals have been invited to submit their applications through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security. Relevant authorities can also nominate individuals for long-term residency, as per UAE’s English daily Khaleej Times.

The standard residency visas in the UAE are typically valid for two years. However, in 2019, the nation introduced a ten-year residency program known as Golden Visas, targeting investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, exceptional students and graduates, as well as humanitarian leaders, among others. Three years later, the UAE unveiled another residency option called Green Visas, which offer a five-year validity period and are aimed at skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs.