The Residence Visas in UAE or the most expensive ones will open the doors to have a business setup in Dubai mainland or finding employment in the Emirates. Hence, job opportunities are excellent in the UAE for anyone who wants to invest in some way. Furthermore, with the visas and permits you will reside peacefully in the country.
In this article, we will see the types of visas and how they can benefit you depending on the type of visa you want to acquire. In addition, it will prepare you to have everything you need on hand to be able to opt for this valuable document.
How Many Types of UAE Residency Visas Are There?
When looking for the Residence Visas in UAE, you will find that there are various types in the country. Any of them will help you live and work in the Emirates for a long time without problems. In addition, you will have at your disposal to choose the one you need and for this, it is important to know what the requirements are for each of them.
Below, you can see the different types of visas and the benefits that each offers:
Employment visa
It is a visa valid for 3 years, for people who have job offers in a company in the Emirates. Furthermore, it will be the employer who must sponsor the visa.
Investor visa
This visa is for those people who aim to invest in any company in the UAE. Likewise, the visa is valid for 3 years and the sponsor of the company where you will invest will be responsible for applying for it.
Property owner visa
The owner visa is the Dubai freelance residence visa for people who own property in the country. It will be valid for 3 years and the owner is responsible for requesting it.
Family visa
This type of visa is for family members of people living in the Emirates. Also, the visa will be valid for 3 years and the resident family member will be responsible for sponsoring it.
Student visa
If you want to study in the country, you will need a student visa that will be sponsored by the educational center. In addition, this type of visa will be valid until the completion of the studies.
Freelance visa
This type of Dubai freelance visa and other emirates is for when you want to work independently in the country. Likewise, it will be valid for 3 years, and a local company responsible for sponsoring it.
Long-term visit visa
This visa is indicated if you want to stay in the Emirates for a long period because it is a visa valid for 90 days. Moreover, this visa may be extended for up to an additional 90 days.
Conditions to be eligible for a residence visa Dubai
To qualify for any of the UAE residency visas, you will need to meet the following criteria:
- Be an employee in the UAE, in a private company, or any government office.
- In the case of studying in an educational institution in the Emirates.
- If you are a dependent such as a child, parent, domestic employee, or close relative of an Emirati citizen or a foreign resident.
- If you made any type of investment in Dubai or any other Emirate.
- Furthermore, in case of having acquired a property in any emirate.
- If you retire in the UAE
UAE Residency Visa Application Process
As for how to get residence visa in Dubai and the other emirates, the first thing you must have is an entry permit. In addition, you will need a sponsor for both applications and it can be your spouse or any other person as long as they are an Emirati resident.
Sponsor to apply for a residence visa
Even if you need a sponsor to apply for a visa, in some cases you can sponsor yourself. Thus, here you can see what these exceptions are:
- The employer in the UAE is the sponsor of the work visas of its expatriate employees.
- The educational institution in which you will study is the sponsor for the student visa.
- The family member residing in the UAE is the sponsor of the family visa.
On the other hand, investors or those purchasing property in the UAE can apply independently. In this case, the acquired company or property serves as sponsorship for the Residence Visas in UAE or the most expensive in particular.
How to get Dubai residence visa
To obtain some of the Residence Visas you will need to obtain an entry permit. In this case, the sponsor is responsible for making the request for said permit for you in one of the following places:
- In person at the ICA
- Through the ICA eChannel portal
- ICA Mobile Apps
- At the General Directorate of Residency and Immigration (GDRFA) both in person and online. This way, the sponsor can do it at one of the authorized typing centers or at an Amer Center in Dubai.
- GDRFA Smartphone and Android Apps
Likewise, once in the country, the sponsor of your visa must register the residence with the GDFA in the emirate where you will have your residence. Thus, once your visa is approved, the GDRFA will issue it along with the passport and you will also receive your UAE ID. Likewise, all this documentation will have validity equal to that of your visa.
Required Documents for each type of Dubai Residence Visa
As we have already said, the Residence Visas in UAE and the other Visa types have their requirements. Therefore, we have below the general requirements for each type of visa:
Employment Visa
- A contract offer from a business in the country
- Passport with a validity of 6 months
- In addition, the medical certificate of fitness
- A police clearance certificate
- Finally, the employment card issued by the MOHRE.
Investor Visa
- Investing in an Emirati business or company
- Additionally, the passport is valid for at least 6 months.
- Proof that you have made the investment
- Likewise, the medical certificate of fitness
- And a certificate of authorization issued by a police entity
Property owner visa
- Proof of owning property in the UAE
- Your passport with a validity period of no less than 6 months
- Likewise, the medical certificate
- 1 authorization certificate issued by the police entity
Family Visa
- Must have a UAE resident sponsor
- Also, A valid passport with at least 6 months validity.
- A certificate indicating the relationship
- A certificate issued by a doctor
- Additionally, a certificate of authorization from a police institution
Student visa
- The letter proving acceptance of an educational institution in the UAE
- Also, your valid passport with 6 months validity.
- Proof of having financial means to support yourself during your stay in the UAE
- Health accreditation by a certified medical entity
- Finally, the authorization certificate from a police entity
Self-employed visa
- Proof of self-employment in the Emirates
- Passport with a validity of 6 months
- A medical certificate of fitness
- Additionally, a police clearance certificate
- Proof of financial solvency to stay in the Emirates
Long-term visit visa
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Possess an accreditation that indicates your financial solvency to reside in the Emirates
- In addition, medical proof of capacity
- Police clearance letter
Also, you should be attentive because the requirements could vary depending on the particularities of each applicant.
Benefits of different types of UAE Residence Visa
From the Residence Visas in UAE to the others in general, it has benefits for its bearer. We will describe these benefits below:
Employment Visa
- You will have the opportunity to obtain employment legally in the UAE.
- Get the chance to earn tax-free income
- You will be able to take advantage of general employment benefits such as social security and health care.
Investor Visa
- You will have the opportunity to invest in any UAE company
- You will earn tax-free income
- Access to business opportunities in the UAE.
Property owner visa
- Receive the option to own property in the Emirates
- You will earn rental income
- You will have real estate investment opportunities in the United Arab Emirates
Family Visa
- You will be able to live with relatives who are residents of the Emirates.
- You will be able to work or study in the UAE
Student visa
- You will have an option to begin studies at any accredited educational institution in the Emirates
- It will have accessibility to first-class educational facilities and resources.
- You will be able to experience the Emirati culture and lifestyle
Self-employed visa
- You may have the ability to work as a freelancer in Dubai and other emirates.
- You will earn income while enjoying the Emirati lifestyle
- Work with different projects and clients.
Long-term visit visa
- You will be able to stay in the UAE for a longer time.
- Access to the tourist attractions as well as the world-renowned cultural experiences of the Emirates
- You will enjoy the flexibility to travel in and out of the UAE during the visa period
Are the residence visa and the UAE entry permit different?
The visas have differences between them, both the Residence Visas in UAE and the highest cost. Likewise, with residence visas and entry permits, there are differences between them that we will show you below:
Entry permit
This permit allows you to enter any emirate and is valid for a certain period, which generally covers 3 months. Similarly, the sponsor will apply for the entry permit before you make the trip to the Emirates.
Then, once inside the country, you must apply for a residence visa, although some nations will not even need an entry permit. Generally, if you are from exempt countries, you do not need to present a tourist visa or an entry permit since they are almost the same.
The residence visa
Unlike the entry permit, this visa will allow you to live in the Emirates for a long time. Additionally, after arriving in the country, your sponsor must request it, going to the indicated authorities for this.
Length of Stay with a Dubai Residency Visa
Both the cheapest Residence Visas in UAE and the most expensive ones have a legal validity period in the country. Generally, this time will depend on the purpose of the trip but these can vary between 1, 2, or 3 years and are renewable.
However, investment or retirement visas will be issued for a period of 5 to 10 years and also offer the opportunity to renew them when required.
Residence visa renewal
The renewal of residence visas in the UAE will be renewed by the sponsor. Likewise, renewal must be 30 days before the expiration date. However, if it expires but is within the grace period, the sponsor may request renewal. Equally, the renewal will be similar to the initial application.
Grace period after expiration of the residence visa
The grace period is 30 days from the expiration date, which means that you can stay in the country while you renew it. Otherwise, you must leave the country and re-enter using the entry permit. In addition, you must pay the fine for each day you have stayed after the grace period.
Fines for overstaying after the grace period
Generally, the cheapest Residence Visas in UAE, as well as the most expensive ones, have a fine for exceeding them. Likewise, the rates to pay are:
- For the first 180 days, you will pay AED 25 per day
- For the second 180 days 6 months you will pay AED 50 per day
- Each day after 1 year it will be AED 100
How much is UAE Residence Visa?
The cost of residence in UAE will depend on the type of visa that your sponsor requests. Additionally, for property and family visas you will pay an application fee and a refundable deposit. Also, the cost to apply for employment and family visas is AED 310, and for property visas AED 1100.
Additionally, for family visas, you must pay the refundable deposit of AED 1,000, and for property visas AED 3,000. In this way, the cheapest Residence Visas in UAE are the long-term ones extended for 90 days. Likewise, it can be renewed twice for 6 months and costs AED 1,000-1,200.
However, there is a possibility that you will have to pay additional costs for medical tests, visa stamping fees, and Emirati ID cards. Regardless, if you decide to obtain one of the cheapest Residence Visas in UAE or any other, you will be able to enter the Emirati economic world. This way you will have the opportunity to work in one of the most prosperous places in the world.
However, although the process is simple, we suggest that you seek professional help to avoid problems when processing applications. To do this, Visit our website ConnectFz for Further proceedings
Sanjyam DhingraShe is an esteemed Compliance Officer with extensive experience in ensuring corporate adherence to regulatory standards. Her expertise spans a wide range of compliance functions, including regulatory analysis, risk management, and the implementation of compliance programs. She excels in identifying potential compliance issues and developing strategic solutions to mitigate risks.
