Immigration in the UAE is driven by a large expatriate community and a smaller Emirati population, and it shows up in the country’s constantly issued permits. On this page, you’ll track key numbers across work permits, residence permits, and visa categories, plus where demand concentrates in Dubai versus Abu Dhabi. We also explain investor and entrepreneur routes, including golden visa requirements and how sector employment patterns shape the workforce.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the UAE's total population reached 9.44 million, with expatriates comprising 88.5% or approximately 8.36 million individuals
- Emirati nationals accounted for 11.5% of the UAE population in 2022, totaling about 1.08 million people
- The expatriate population in UAE grew by 7.4% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 8.36 million
- Golden visas for investors: AED 2 billion minimum investment threshold met by 30,000 applicants since 2019
- Real estate investors for golden visa: 20,000 property purchases over AED 2M each by 2023
- Public investors in UAE funds: AED 5M+ for 5,000 golden visas issued
- UAE work permits issued: 4.8 million in 2022
- Private sector workforce: 9.2 million workers, 95% expatriates in 2023
- Construction sector employs 1.2 million migrant workers in UAE
- Total residence permits valid in UAE: 8.9 million as of 2023
- Dubai's active residence permits: 3.2 million in 2023
- Abu Dhabi residence permits: 2.1 million active in 2023
- UAE issued 7.2 million visit visas in 2022
- Golden visas issued numbered 100,000 by end of 2023
- Residence visas granted in Dubai reached 1.2 million in 2022
In 2022, UAE welcomed 8.36 million expatriates, driven by strong work permit demand and golden visas.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographic Statistics26 stats
01
In 2022, the UAE's total population reached 9.44 million, with expatriates comprising 88.5% or approximately 8.36 million individuals
02
Emirati nationals accounted for 11.5% of the UAE population in 2022, totaling about 1.08 million people
03
The expatriate population in UAE grew by 7.4% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 8.36 million
04
Indians form the largest expatriate group in UAE with 3.55 million residents as of 2022, representing 38% of expats
05
Pakistanis are the second largest expat group with 1.24 million in UAE in 2022
06
Bangladeshis number 840,000 in UAE as of 2022, making up 9% of expatriates
07
Filipinos constitute 720,000 expats in UAE in 2022
08
Egyptians represent 550,000 expatriates in UAE in 2022
09
UAE's male expatriates outnumbered females by a ratio of 2.3:1 in 2022
10
Dubai's population was 3.65 million in 2023, with 87% expatriates
11
Abu Dhabi's population stood at 3.78 million in 2023, 88% non-Emirati
12
Sharjah had 1.8 million residents in 2022, 85% expatriates
13
Ajman's population is 550,000 with 90% expatriates as of 2022
14
Ras Al Khaimah's 400,000 residents include 82% expatriates in 2022
15
Fujairah has 250,000 people, 78% expatriates per 2022 data
16
UAE's international migrant stock was 8,727,000 in 2020 per UN data
17
Migrants aged 25-54 years old comprise 72% of UAE's migrant population in 2020
18
Female migrants in UAE were 30.2% of total migrants in 2020
19
Top origin country India sent 3.4 million migrants to UAE in 2020
20
Pakistan contributed 1.2 million migrants to UAE in 2020
21
Bangladesh sent 850,000 migrants to UAE in 2020
22
In 2022, UAE's total population reached 9.44 million, with expatriates comprising 88.5% or approximately 8.36 million individuals
23
Emirati nationals accounted for 11.5% of the UAE population in 2022, totaling about 1.08 million people
24
The expatriate population in UAE grew by 7.4% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 8.36 million
25
Indians form the largest expatriate group in UAE with 3.55 million residents as of 2022, representing 38% of expats
26
Pakistanis are the second largest expat group with 1.24 million in UAE in 2022
Interpretation
Demographic Statistics Interpretation
In 2022, the UAE’s demographic makeup was overwhelmingly expatriate with 88.5% of its 9.44 million population, and the expat community grew 7.4% year over year to 8.36 million, led by Indians at 3.55 million and underscoring the country’s rapidly shifting demographic balance.
02 · Category
Investment Visas16 stats
01
Golden visas for investors: AED 2 billion minimum investment threshold met by 30,000 applicants since 2019
02
Real estate investors for golden visa: 20,000 property purchases over AED 2M each by 2023
03
Public investors in UAE funds: AED 5M+ for 5,000 golden visas issued
04
Entrepreneurs golden visa: 8,000 startups approved with AED 500K capital by 2023
05
Outstanding students golden visa: 25,000 high GPA recipients since launch
06
Doctors and specialists: 6,000 medical professionals granted 10-year visas by 2023
07
Scientists and researchers: 4,000 PhD holders with golden visas in 2023
08
Creative talents: 2,500 artists and influencers awarded golden visas
09
Investors in non-real estate: AED 10B total investments for 15,000 visas
10
Family sponsorship under golden visa: 50,000 dependents included by 2023
11
Abu Dhabi global market investors: 10,000 with residence permits via ADGM
12
Dubai real estate golden visa properties: 45,000 units valued over AED 90B
13
Green visa for freelancers/investors: 15,000 self-employed approved
14
Retirement golden visa applications: 7,000 over-55s with AED 1M income proof
15
Humanitarian pioneers golden visa: 500 awards for top donors
16
Total FDI inflows linked to visas: AED 150B from golden visa holders 2019-2023
Interpretation
Investment Visas Interpretation
Investment visas in the UAE are being driven by large-scale capital activity, with at least AED 2 billion invested by 30,000 golden visa applicants since 2019 and 20,000 property purchases above AED 2M by 2023.
03 · Category
Labor Migration15 stats
01
UAE work permits issued: 4.8 million in 2022
02
Private sector workforce: 9.2 million workers, 95% expatriates in 2023
03
Construction sector employs 1.2 million migrant workers in UAE
04
Hospitality industry labor migrants: 650,000 in 2023
05
Indian nationals hold 35% of UAE work permits, totaling 3.2 million
06
Pakistani workers: 1.5 million in UAE labor force 2023
07
Wage Protection System covers 5.5 million workers monthly
08
Labor disputes resolved: 45,000 cases in 2022 by MoHRE
09
Absconding reports: 120,000 worker cases in 2022
10
Recruitment fees banned, affecting 2 million annual hires
11
Blue-collar workers from Asia: 6.5 million in UAE 2023
12
Professional white-collar expats: 1.8 million in 2023
13
Work visa cancellations due to layoffs: 250,000 in 2023 post-COVID recovery
14
Emiratisation quotas met in private sector: 10% for 50,000 jobs in 2023
15
Female migrant workers: 1.2 million, 22% of labor force in 2023
Interpretation
Labor Migration Interpretation
In the labor migration landscape of the UAE, work permits reached 4.8 million in 2022 and a workforce of 9.2 million was overwhelmingly expatriate at 95% in 2023, showing how strongly migrant labor powers sectors like construction with 1.2 million workers and hospitality with 650,000 in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Residency Permits19 stats
01
Total residence permits valid in UAE: 8.9 million as of 2023
02
Dubai's active residence permits: 3.2 million in 2023
03
Abu Dhabi residence permits: 2.1 million active in 2023
04
5-year golden residence permits: 152,000 issued since 2019
05
10-year golden visas for investors: 45,000 granted by 2023
06
Family residence permits: 1.8 million nationwide in 2023
07
Skilled worker residence permits: 2.5 million in 2023
08
Domestic worker residence visas: 750,000 active in UAE 2023
09
Student residence permits: 65,000 in 2023 across UAE universities
10
Retirement residence visas (over 55): 5,000 issued by 2023
11
Green residence permits (self-sponsored): 35,000 by end 2023
12
Residence permits for outstanding talents: 12,000 scientists/doctors by 2023
13
Dubai freehold property owners with residence: 150,000 in 2023
14
Total new residence visas approved in Dubai 2023: 1.4 million
15
UAE residence visa renewals reached 5.8 million in 2022 across emirates
16
Total residence permits valid in UAE stood at 8.9 million as of 2023 per ICP data
17
Dubai's active residence permits numbered 3.2 million in 2023
18
Abu Dhabi residence permits active: 2.1 million in 2023
19
5-year golden residence permits issued: 152,000 since 2019 launch
Interpretation
Residency Permits Interpretation
In 2023, the UAE had 8.9 million active residence permits overall, with major hubs like Dubai at 3.2 million and Abu Dhabi at 2.1 million, while special long term options are still comparatively limited, as only 152,000 golden residence permits have been issued since 2019.
05 · Category
Visa Issuances15 stats
01
UAE issued 7.2 million visit visas in 2022
02
Golden visas issued numbered 100,000 by end of 2023
03
Residence visas granted in Dubai reached 1.2 million in 2022
04
Abu Dhabi issued 850,000 residence visas in 2022
05
Tourist visas processed in UAE totaled 15 million in 2023
06
Employment visas issued nationwide were 4.5 million in 2022
07
Student visas granted in UAE: 45,000 in 2022
08
Family residence visas: 1.1 million issued in 2022
09
Overstay fines collected: AED 150 million in 2022 from 250,000 cases
10
Dubai issued 2.5 million transit visas in 2023
11
UAE residence visa renewals: 5.8 million in 2022
12
Green visas (5-year self-sponsored) applications approved: 20,000 in first year
13
Visit visa waivers for 87 countries processed 10 million entries in 2023
14
Dubai residence visas cancelled: 300,000 in 2022 due to absconding
15
Abu Dhabi golden visa recipients: 25,000 investors by 2023
Interpretation
Visa Issuances Interpretation
In the visa issuances category, the UAE delivered massive volumes in a single period, including 7.2 million visit visas in 2022, 4.5 million employment visas nationwide in 2022, and 15 million tourist visas processed in 2023, showing a sustained high pace of inbound and employment-related visa activity.
report visual · Breakdown
UAE population: expats vs Emirati nationals (2022)
In 2022, expatriates made up the vast majority of the UAE population, while Emirati nationals were a small share.
88.5%
In 2022, the UAE's total population reached 9.44 million, with expatriates comprising 88.5% or approximately 8.36 millio
11.5%
Emirati nationals accounted for 11.5% of the UAE population in 2022, totaling about 1.08 million people
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Christopher Morgan. (2026, February 13). Uae Immigration Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-immigration-statistics
MLA
Christopher Morgan. "Uae Immigration Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/uae-immigration-statistics.
Chicago
Christopher Morgan. 2026. "Uae Immigration Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-immigration-statistics.
Sources & references
22 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level