How to Get a U.S. Green Card as a UAE Citizen

Many citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are becoming increasingly interested in securing a permanent resident card in the United States—commonly known as a U.S. Green Card. Whether for economic and entrepreneurial opportunities, marriage, or education, obtaining a U.S. Green Card can provide a secure and promising future for UAE nationals and their families. For UAE citizens, strong financial stability, global mobility, and a desire for greater business prospects make the United States a highly attractive destination.

Given the UAE’s strong international connections, extraordinary economic development in recent decades, and rapid increase in English fluency among its population, UAE nationals are well-prepared to navigate the different avenues available for acquiring a permanent resident card. Additionally, with growing Emirati communities in the U.S. and the relative ease of financial transactions between the two countries, securing a Green Card is an increasingly viable goal.

Some of the available pathways for securing a U.S. Green Card include family-based visas, employment-based visas, and the Diversity Visa Lottery. However, for many UAE citizens, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program may be the most attractive option, as it offers a streamlined and secure method for obtaining a Green Card while simultaneously making a sound financial investment.

This article outlines the primary routes through which UAE citizens can obtain a U.S. permanent resident card, examines the advantages and challenges of each, and highlights why the EB-5 visa program may be an ideal option for many UAE investors seeking a Green Card.

The Most Common Ways for UAE Citizens to Gain Lawful Permanent Resident Status in the U.S.

There are several common options for UAE citizens to pursue a permanent resident card in the United States. Some of the most common ways to obtain a U.S. Green Card include:

The Diversity Visa Lottery

The Diversity Visa Lottery, commonly known as the U.S. Green Card Lottery, is a popular program run by the U.S. State Department that provides about 55,000 Green Cards each year to individuals from outside the United States if they are from specific countries. The main requirement to be eligible for a Green Card from outside the U.S. is to be a native of a country or territory with fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the past five years.

As a result, for the Fiscal Year 2026 lottery, individuals from the UAE are eligible to become Green Card holders through the program, although the intense competition for a limited number of permanent resident cards makes getting a Green Card through the Diversity Lottery quite unlikely. In addition, it is important to note that eligibility is determined by an individual’s country of birth, not current citizenship. Therefore, UAE citizens who were born in a country that is ineligible for the Diversity Visa Lottery may not qualify for a Green Card through this method.

Marriage and Fiancé Visas

Marriage and fiancé visas are one of the most common ways to obtain a U.S. permanent resident card. These visas offer a straightforward route to obtaining permanent resident status for UAE citizens who are engaged to or married to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The entire process is usually relatively quick. However, applicants for marriage and fiancé visas are required to meet strict eligibility criteria and provide proof that the relationship is genuine. The two main visa types in this category are:

• K-1 Visa: For UAE nationals engaged to U.S. citizens, this visa allows them to enter the U.S. and marry within 90 days, after which they can apply for permanent resident status. To begin the process, the U.S. citizen must file a petition called Form I-129F with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once the petition is approved, the UAE national can apply for the K-1 visa and travel to the U.S. After the couple marries, the foreign spouse can apply for a conditional Green Card by submitting Form I-485. Once their conditional Green Card expires, the UAE national spouse can file to remove conditions and obtain full lawful permanent resident status.
• CR-1 and IR-1 Visas: A CR-1 Visa is intended for couples who have been married for less than two years, and grants the UAE national conditional permanent resident status—also known as a conditional Green Card. They are then allowed to adjust status to remove conditions and receive a permanent Green Card. An IR-1 Visa is for couples who have been married for more than two years, granting them full permanent resident status immediately. To apply for an IR-1 Visa, the U.S. citizen spouse must submit Form I-130 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved by USCIS, the UAE national spouse must be physically present for an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate and then is able to become a U.S. permanent resident card holder.

Family Sponsorship Visas

UAE citizens with close family members who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents can become Green Card holders through family sponsorship. These types of visas fall into two main categories:

• Immediate Relative Visas: Available for spouses, minor children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens, these visas offer a direct and relatively fast route to a U.S. Green Card for individuals and their immediate family members.
• Family Preference Visas: Available for extended family members such as siblings and adult children, these visas involve longer wait times but still provide a pathway to a U.S. Green Card.

Employment-Based Immigrant Visas

Employment-based immigrant visas are another pathway for UAE citizens to obtain lawful permanent resident status. These visas often require sponsorship from an employer and fall into several employment-based preference categories based on the individual applicant’s skills and education, as well as the type of job they will fill in the United States. However, because of very high demand, processing times can be long. In fact, for applicants of EB-2 and EB-3 visas, foreign nationals from some high-demand countries can expect to wait for up to a decade.

Nevertheless, employment-based visas can be a viable option for some UAE nationals seeking to gain permanent residence and a Green Card in the United States. The primary employment-based visa categories include:

• EB-1 Visa: For highly skilled individuals, such as researchers, executives, and distinguished professionals.
• EB-2 Visa: For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional skills, often requiring sponsorship by an employer.
• EB-3 Visa: For skilled and unskilled workers with job offers in the U.S.
• EB-4 Visa: For special categories, including religious workers and international organization employees. This category is currently unavailable for FY 2025.

Employment-based categories often involve substantial paperwork and strict eligibility requirements, making them less practical for most UAE citizens.

Holders of employment-based visas should consider obtaining a re-entry permit if they anticipate prolonged travel outside the U.S. while waiting for their Green Card application to be fully processed.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program for UAE Citizens

The EB-5 visa program is one of the most effective and secure pathways for UAE citizens to obtain a U.S. Green Card. Established in 1990, the EB-5 program is designed to attract foreign investment in the U.S. economy to create jobs for U.S. workers. The EB-5 visa program has long been regarded as one of the most efficient and reliable ways for foreign nationals and their family members to become U.S. Green Card holders.

Furthermore, the EB-5 program provides a fast track to lawful permanent resident status without the need for an employer’s sponsorship. In addition, the applicant’s spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 are also eligible to obtain a Green Card under the same EB-5 application.

How to Fulfill EB-5 Investment Requirements

To apply for a Green Card through the EB-5 program, UAE investors must invest a minimum of $1,050,000 in a new commercial enterprise (NCE)—or $800,000 if the project is located in a targeted employment area (TEA)—and create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

In addition to meeting the investment amount and job creation criteria, investors must also comply with the at-risk requirement, which means the investment must remain subject to both potential gain and loss throughout the sustainment period.

They must also meet the source of funds requirement by proving that their EB-5 capital was obtained through lawful means, with clear documentation that traces the funds back to their original source. This can include income, business profits, property sales, gifts, or loans.

Making an Investment Through an EB-5 Regional Center

A smart way to minimize both financial and immigration risks in the EB-5 process is by investing through a regional center designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Regional centers manage funds from multiple EB-5 investors and benefit from a unique provision allowing them to submit exemplar petitions for their projects. Once an exemplar petition is approved for a specific project, all subsequent petitions related to that project receive expedited approval involving the project-related parts of the petition, significantly reducing processing times for investors seeking U.S. permanent residency through the EB-5 visa program.

Another key advantage of regional center investments is the ability to count indirect and induced job creation—calculated through economic modeling—toward the EB-5 program’s requirement of generating 10 new jobs for U.S. workers. This makes it significantly easier for investors to meet the job creation criteria necessary for obtaining permanent resident status and a U.S. Green Card.

Because of these benefits, along with the added financial security of investing through an established regional center, the vast majority of EB-5 investors choose this route.

Making an Investment in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)

As previously mentioned, investing in targeted employment areas (TEAs) can also help reduce both financial and immigration risks for UAE nationals seeking a U.S. Green Card through the EB-5 visa program.

A TEA is a designated location in the United States with a population under 20,000 (rural TEA) or an unemployment rate at least 150% of the national average (high-unemployment or “urban” TEA). By choosing a TEA investment, EB-5 applicants can lower their required investment amount from $1,050,000 to $800,000. Additionally, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reserves about one-third of available EB-5 visas for TEA investments, giving these applicants the opportunity to avoid long backlogs in the unreserved category.

Rural TEA investors can also benefit from priority processing of their Form I-526E petitions. This can significantly speed up the Green Card approval process for EB-5 investors from the UAE.

Benefitting From the Concurrent Filing Option

Another important benefit for eligible EB-5 investors already in the United States is the option to file for adjustment of status concurrently with the EB-5 petition. This means that instead of waiting for the EB-5 petition (Form I-526E) to be approved first, investors can submit Form I-485 at the same time—speeding up the overall process.

Concurrent filing offers several advantages. Investors can apply for work and travel permits while their Green Card application is pending, allowing them to live, work, and travel freely without needing to maintain another nonimmigrant status. Most importantly, once the adjustment of status application is filed, the investor is considered to be in a lawful period of stay, even if their previous visa expires. This can be a major benefit for students, workers, or other visa holders looking for a smoother transition to permanent residency.

Immigrate From the UAE to the United States and Get a Permanent Resident Card With EB5AN

Several key factors make UAE citizens especially well-suited to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain U.S. Green Cards. For those seeking the best route to a U.S. Green Card, establishing contact with an experienced immigration attorney and conducting thorough research on available options is essential. However, for many UAE citizens, the EB-5 visa stands out as one of the fastest, most straightforward, and most reliable ways to become U.S. Green Card holders.

EB5AN’s team of EB-5 visa program professionals brings over a decade of expertise. EB5AN provides access to high-quality, low-risk TEA investment opportunities through its extensive regional center network, all with a 100% project approval rate by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. To date, EB5AN has successfully assisted more than 2,300 families from 70+ countries in navigating the U.S. Green Card process.

If you’re ready to begin your family’s journey toward becoming U.S. Green Card holders or need more information about the EB-5 visa application process, schedule a free meeting with an EB-5 expert today.