Do you want to begin your new career or wish to stay in the UAE? No matter what you come here for, you must know what are the types of residence visa in UAE. Yes! Various types of visas are issued in the UAE, such as employment, golden, freelancer, family, green, etc.
But, as a foreigner, you might not know which visa to apply for. So, bear with us because we’ll break down each UAE resident visa type, its conditions, and the application process. Let’s find out!
What Are the Advantages of Getting a UAE Residence Visa?
For foreigners who want to reside and work long-term in the United Arab Emirates, a residence visa in the UAE is necessary. This visa offers the applicant a lot of benefits, including:
- You can open a bank account.
- A personal / car loan is something you can be given a bank loan for.
- Several countries have visa-free access to you.
- You can take their children to government or private schools.
- You can get a driver’s license.
- Government health services and health insurance are made available to you.
Residence Visa Types In UAE
If you want to reside in the UAE and want to be part of its promising future, then you need to know what are the types residence visas in UAE are available.
Below, we’ve discussed 8 types of residency UAE visas, their requirements, and necessary guidelines:
1. UAE Golden Visa — 10 Years or Long-Term Property Investor Visa
This 10-year Golden Visa or property investor visa provides long-term residence in UAE. When the UAE offers a golden visa it allows applicants to invest a certain amount of money for public investments in the UAE. Below are the requirements and conditions for this property investor visa.
Requirements
You must fulfil any one of the following requirements to become Golden UAE Visa holder:
- No less than AED 10 million* investment in the UAE.
- Being the owner of a company inside the UAE with a minimum equity of AED 10 million*
- If partnering in a company in the UAE with a share worth no less than AED 10 million*
- 60% of the total investments should be Payable in non-real estate sectors.
Guidelines
- Someone should not be loaned the money they invest
- The investment has to be kept for 3 years.
- The investor should have financial assets of AED 10 million*.
- If the investor wishes, the investment can be with business partners for AED 10 million* each.
2. UAE Employment Visa — 2-3 Years
A foreign national gets this work visa when a company within the UAE is employing them. They have the legal right to live and work on this type of visa.
Documents
If you’ve found employment in the UAE mainland or freezone company, the following documents’ copies are required by the company and employee:
Company
- License for trading
- Company Immigration Card
- Company Labour Card
Employee
- Passport
- White background personal photo.
- Education certificate
- Previous (residency visa, if applicable)
- Previous Emirates ID (if applicable)
- Tourist Visa, if applicable
- DHA approved Health Insurance
In case your company is a government entity or resides in Freezone, you also need to fill and provide an online visa form.
Validity
The validity of a UAE Employment Visa with a UAE mainland company is 2 years. However, for a freezone company, the UAE Employment Visa can be valid for 3 years.
3. UAE Company Investor Visa
Foreigners who own a company or property in the UAE or hold shares in one get their UAE residency visa. It is also for expats who want to start businesses in the country.
UAE residency visa by investment is a legal option for its bearer to work and live in the UAE during the validity period.
Documents
If you want to invest in a mainland company, copies of the following documents are required from the company and the investor:
Company
- License for trading
- Immigration Establishment Card
- LLC Memorandum of Association
- Local Service Agreement
- If the partnership contracts, this would be the partnership.
- If not available, it would be a nice case of partnership.
- Partners list (LLC)
Investor
- Passport
- White background personal photo
- Bank statement, if applicable
- Previous visa, if applicable
- If previous Emirates ID is applicable.
On the other hand, in case of a Freezone company or government entity, the investor requirements remain the same. However, you must fulfil the below company documentation:
Company
- Trade License
- Share Certificate
- Immigration Card
- Memorandum of Association
- Certificate of Incorporation
If you’re facing issues regarding certificate attestations or residency visa renewal, contact Xpert Advisory agents. Our agents handle the entire processing for any type of residency visa in UAE to make your journey easy.
4. UAE Family Visa
If an expat has residency in the UAE he/she can sponsor their family. The sponsor can approach his spouse, children, and parents.
Requirements
To obtain a UAE family visa, you need to fulfil these rules:
- Investors wishing to sponsor family members must pay a refund of AED 3,000* for each family member.
- Your salary, if you are an employee wanting to sponsor your family, should be at least AED 4,000*. Instead, it can be AED 3,000* plus monthly rent.
- If parents sponsor, that person’s monthly income must be AED 15* and AED 20,000*. In this case, both parents have been sponsored, and if one is dead, you need a copy of their death certificate.
Documents
The following are the requirements to get a family residence in the UAE by the sponsor and dependents:
Sponsor
- Passport copy
- UAE residency visa copy
- Original Emirates ID
- Copy of Ministry of Labor card and contract
- An Arabic salary certificate is required for employment by Freezone or a governmental facility.
- Ejari or Tawtheeq Certificate
- Utility bill
- Bank statement, if applicable
Dependents
- And passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- Passport size photo (white background)
- If applicable, the previous visa copy
- In the case you’re a dependent of a UAE citizen, the marriage certificate
- Children’s birth certificate
5. UAE Specialist Resident Visa — 10 Years
It is a residency visa for special talents working in science and knowledge in the Emirates. All applicants must have ongoing employment.
Requirements
The following are the requirements to apply for a specialist residency visa process:
- Winners must get the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence, or the Emirates Scientist Council must accredit scientists.
- Accreditation is required for applicants working in the culture and arts field and by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.
- So, for investors, a patent valuation has to bring extreme value to the UAE economy and get approved by the Ministry of Economy.
- However, patents or publications in well-known journals are needed for exceptional games.
In contrast, doctors and specialists must fulfil minimum 2 requirements from the below:
- Lastly, the applicant’s Phd must have been done in a university that is among the best 500 in the world, and he worked in the field for up to 10 years.
- They must won a special award or a certificate of appreciation for their work.
- They have made substantial contributions to large-scale scientific research in their respective fields.
- The applicant has recently published an article or scientific book in their field in a well-known publication.
- The applicant is a member of the esteemed organisation in their field of work.
6. UAE Student Visa
If you wish to study in the UAE, you can do so through a student residency visa.
Documents
Students must have to submit the following documents to apply for a residence visa:
- Valid passport and passport copy (validity of 6 months and above)
- White background Passport size photo
- Visa and tuition fees receipt
- Current visa copy (where applicable)
- Copy of admission letter.
Validity
This visa is valid for 1 year. However, if your grades are 95% in secondary school or a 3.75 CGPA, you’re granted a 5-year visa.
7. UAE Green Visa — 5 Years
Recently, the UAE announced its visa category: the Green Visa. This visa attracts highly skilled professionals, investors, students, and entrepreneurs, so they don’t have to worry about their education and careers.
Requirements
Following are the UAE green visa requirements based on different categories:
Skilled Professionals/Employees
- Valid employment contract.
- 1st or 2nd or 3rd classification at occupational level.
- Minimum educational qualification is a BA degree or equivalent.
- AED 15,000 minimum salary.
Freelancers/Self-employed
- Freelance license from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- BA or specialised diploma education qualification.
- Annual income from self-employment during the last 2 years of AED 360,000* or financial solvency.
Investor or Partner
- As approved or evidenced at a value of AED 1 million*.
- Authority under local responsible authorities.
Documents
- Minimum validity of passport – 6 months.
- White background, passport-size photograph.
- Medical reports from responsible local authorities.
- Proof of health care or health insurance.
- Valid entry permit.
- Proves qualification.
- A valid freelancing permit from MOHRE or a receipt of employment is required.
8. Freelance Visa — Remote Working Visa
If you’re a UAE citizen or foreign resident, you can get this remote working visa in several free zones in Dubai and across the UAE. There is no need to have a sponsor or work from any UAE organisation to get a freelance Dubai residence visa in such zones.
The freelancer visa in Dubai is one of the types of UAE residence visas that allows you to live and work in the UAE for up to one to five years with your family.
Required Documents
To obtain a visa license as a freelancer, you need the following documents:
- Completed application forms.
- Copy of your passport.
- Passport-size photo.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) updated.
- Asserted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or UAE Consulate.
- Contact details to two professional references.
- A job offer that states your work history and personal as well as professional background.
- Your sponsor will issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) if you require it.
Eligibility Criteria
Following criteria to get this visa must be fulfilled:
- If you wish to work as a freelancer or get solo employment, you should get a permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization.
- Have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or specialist diploma in education.
- You must exhibit a minimum annual self-employment income of AED 360,000* in the past two years or show the ability to support yourself financially during the stay.
Final Words
Knowing what are the types of residence visa in UAE is important for those considering living, working, and investing in the country. Whether you’re an investor, employee, student, or freelancer, the above visa options are for you.
How does Xpert Advisory help you? We offer full guidance and support for a hassle-free visa approval from General Directorate of Residency so you can confidently start a new career in the UAE.
FAQs
What Is The Fee to Apply for a UAE Residence Visa Application Process?
Your UAE Residence visa application fee depends on the visa period you choose. In general, the cost is AED 100*. However, you have to pay additional fees based on where you apply. If you’re applying online, you will have to pay AED 40*. However, in person, it will be AED 70*.
Is The UAE Entry Permit And Residency Visa The Same?
No, the Entry Permit permits the person to enter the UAE and is valid for a specific duration (generally not exceeding three months). However, a resident Visa allows a person outside the UAE to live in the United Arab Emirates permanently.
What Is The Renewal Time For A Residency Visa in the UAE?
Starting from your visa expiry date, you will have 30 days to renew your residency visa in UAE.
How Much Fee Do You Pay If You Overstay Your UAE Resident Visa?
A change in AED 25* every day of the first 6 months (180 days). For the second 6 months (180 days), it will be AED 50* per day. However, AED 100* per day every day after 1 year has passed.
