There are different types of visa available in UAE, but are you wondering about the different ways to live in the UAE? With 10 unique types of residency visas, there’s a path for everyone from investors to students. Our guide will break down each of the different types of visa in UAE so you can find the perfect fit for your stay in this vibrant country.
Get ready to discover what are the types of residence visa in UAE!
Understanding UAE Residence Visas
UAE residence visas let people live in the country for a long time. These visas link to an Emirates ID instead of a stamp in your passport. You can get one by applying online, which is open to folks from all countries.
With this visa, you can also choose a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa.
There are several kinds of UAE residence visas for different needs. Workers might have their company sponsor their visa, and they don’t pay any fees – the employer does that. Business owners or property owners could bring over family members with a sponsor family visa. Also, the duration of UAE residence visas varies, depending on the type of visa an individual opts for.
If you’re from GCC nations and want to move, there’s even a special resident e-visa just for you and your close ones.
What Are The Types of Residence Visa in UAE
Diverse lifestyles and professional ambitions are accommodated in the UAE through a spectrum of residence visas, each tailored to specific needs ranging from long-term opportunities for investment in the UAE to family unification.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, student, or seeking a place to call home while working remotely, the Emirates offers legal avenues for establishing your residence in the UAE. Here are the different types of residency visa in the UAE:
10-Year Golden Visa or Long-Term Investor Visa
The UAE offers this special for people who want to invest in the country, start businesses, or work in certain jobs. This long-term visa is good because it lets you live, work, and study without needing a national sponsor.
You can also bring your family with you under this visa. It gives big benefits of the UAE like long-term residence and having more chances to work.
People with great skills or those who do important things in science or art can get this visa too. The UAE government made it to help investors and talented folks feel at home in the UAE by giving them rights almost like UAE citizens or foreign residents have.
They can own their homes and have other perks too. This makes life easier for people coming from other countries looking for opportunities in the UAE.
5-Year Golden Visa or Property Investor Visa
You can live in the UAE for an extended period, i.e., five years, if you invest at least AED 500,000* in real estate. This 5-year residence special visa is called the 5-Year Golden Visa or Property Investor Visa. It’s great for people who want to put their money into property and stay longer in the country.
To get this visa, you must own a home or other building worth AED 500,000* or more. You cannot share this investment with someone else; it has to be just your money. Once you have this visa, you can come and go from the UAE as much as you like without any trouble.
UAE Employment Visa
A UAE Employment Visa allows people from other countries to live and work in the United Arab Emirates. It is basically a visa for those who have found employment in the UAE or wish to find it. If a company in the UAE hires someone, that company will sponsor their visa. The visa usually lasts for as long as the job contract does, often 12 months, i.e., this visa is valid for one year in most cases.
To get this visa, a person needs to provide several important papers like their job contract, passport copy, diploma, CV or resume, and a photo.
Women working in the UAE can also bring their husbands and kids with them using this type of visa. They must have jobs in certain fields or get special permission to do so and they need to make enough money every month.
This way, families can stay together while living in the UAE because of work opportunities.
Company Investor Visa
Moving from the employment-focused options, another path to reside in the UAE is through business investment. It suits those who have launched their own venture or are partners in a UAE-based company.
To get this visa, you must show that you own a company or share in one within the UAE. This three-year visa lets you live and work as your own boss and enjoy the benefits of being an entrepreneur in a dynamic economy.
Holding such a visa also means taking part in the vibrant market of the UAE, where innovation thrives and opportunities are plentiful. It invites ambitious business owners to settle down where their ventures can grow.
You will need to keep your business healthy and follow all local laws to maintain your investor status throughout these years.
Family Visa
A company investor type of visa lets business people stay in the UAE, but a family visa brings their loved ones close. With this kind of visa, you can have your spouse, children under 18, and even your parents live with you in the UAE.
If you are an investor willing to pay AED 3,000* per person, or if you are an employee making at least AED 4,000* per month without extra housing money or AED 3,000* with it, then sponsoring is possible for you.
But if plans include bringing over mom and dad as well, show proof of pulling down a monthly income no less than AED 20,000*.
To get each family member set up with their own visa takes some paperwork: passports that hold all their trips and stays, copies of visas showing they’re allowed to be there already because of work or other reasons; everyone’s Emirates ID; what employees use to prove where they work like labor cards and contracts; marriage papers for spouses; birth certificates for kids; health insurance to keep them well taken care off – all these bits help make sure everything checks out fine when applying for that precious family permit.
Once approved though? Your family stays as long as your own work-related residency does – staying connected to those who matter most while building a life overseas.
Domestic Workers Visa
As we shift from family visas, the UAE also provides a visa for those who employ domestic workers. This includes maids, housekeepers, cooks, and private drivers. The domestic workers visa lets someone bring helpers to live in their home in the UAE.
To get this visa, an employer must pay at least AED 25,000* every month. They cannot be related to the worker they want to hire. This makes sure that families have support while also protecting the rights of domestic employees.
Specialist Resident Visa
Moving from visas for domestic workers, the UAE also offers a Specialist Resident Visa. This type of UAE resident visa type is for experts with unique skills and talents they want to bring into the country.
People such as doctors, scientists or artists can apply. If someone has a PhD or won an award like the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence, they might get this visa.
To obtain a UAE Specialist Resident Visa, you need several things. You must have proof of your special skills like certificates and awards. Also, you’ll need a valid passport, photos, medical reports and health insurance.
This visa lets people who are great at what they do live in the UAE and share their knowledge and abilities.
Student Visa
Shifting focus to young learners, the student visa allows those over 18 studying in UAE universities to stay in the country. This type of visa lasts one year and can be renewed every year if the student stays enrolled in school. Hence, continuous enrollment in school can lead to students having 5-year student visas.
To get the student residency visa, students need to show they can speak the language by having a language certificate. They also must fill out an application form and provide copies of their high school diploma, passport, birth certificate, and proof that their foreign diploma is equal to ones from the UAE as said by the Ministry of Education.
It offers a great chance for international students to learn at top schools like Khalifa University or The American University of Sharjah. With this visa, students can dive into their studies without worrying about where they’re from.
It opens doors for them to become part of an exciting place with many chances for learning and growing.
Remote Working Visa
Moving from student life to professional, the UAE has also created opportunities for those who work online. The Remote Working Visa is a chance for people with jobs they can do from anywhere to live in Dubai or the UAE.
This special visa lasts one year and lets these remote workers bring their family members like parents, spouse, and kids to stay with them.
You need some important papers to get this visa. These include your passport and medical insurance that works in the UAE. You also must show you have a job or own a company outside of the UAE.
Bank statements are needed too, to prove you have enough money. If you’re freelancing, you’ll need a license from one of Dubai’s free zones, plus other usual documents like your photo and CV (your work history).
Just keep in mind, if you leave the UAE for over six months at once, this visa won’t be good anymore.
Green Visa
The Green Visa offers a chance for skilled people and thinkers to live in the UAE for five years. This visa is issued to special individuals, i.e., it welcomes talented professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs who want to bring their ideas and skills to the country.
This visa lets you work or start your own business while also sponsoring family members.
With this visa, if someone’s job ends or they stop living in the UAE, they have six months to find another opportunity without having to leave right away. The benefits of the UAE residency visas are big – from staying long-term in the UAE to having more freedom with jobs and taking care of one’s family needs.
Now let’s talk about what you need for each type of residency visa within the UAE.
Requirements and Validity for Each Type of Visa in the UAE
Navigating the requirements for a UAE residence visa and understanding the validity of each residence visa variant is essential for a smooth transition to life in the UAE. From providing proof of investment for golden kind of visas to securing sponsorship from employers or family members, applicants must meet specific criteria to ensure their visas remain valid throughout their stay.
Requirements for the 10-Year Golden Visa
To get this visa in the UAE, you need to put at least AED 10 million* into a business or investment. This could be owning part of a company or putting money into real estate.
You must keep this investment for no less than three years. Also, you can’t borrow this money; it has to be yours.
You should also show that you have AED 10 million* in assets. These rules make sure that only serious investors who can help the economy obtain the visa. If you have it, you can live and earn a living in the UAE without needing a national sponsor and you can bring family members with you.
Validity of the 5-Year Golden Visa in the UAE
The visa in the UAE lets people stay for a long time if they invest big money. You need to put at least AED 500,000* into property or a business to get this visa. This kind of UAE visa is great for investors and smart minds like doctors, bosses, and students with special gifts.
Once you have it, you can live in the UAE without worry for five years. It’s a good way to enjoy living in new places and be part of exciting work opportunities.
If you meet all rules set by the government, becoming a visa holder and keeping this visa is easy.
Sponsorship for Employment Visa
Moving from the Golden Visa, we come to the employment visa, which your boss must sponsor if you want to work in the UAE. This means a company gives you a job and takes care of your visa process.
The time your visa is good for matches how long your job contract lasts. If you are a woman from another country living in the UAE, you might be able to sponsor your husband or kids too.
You need to make enough money every month or get special permission first. Your employer does all the heavy lifting; they start things off and deal with paperwork like getting approvals from immigration offices.
Your new boss sends papers to prove who they are and that they can sponsor visas. Then they apply for an entry permit so you can travel to the UAE legally. After arriving, there’s more work: passing medical tests and getting an ID card made by government people who check everyone’s identity in Dubai.
Requirements for the Company Investor Visa
To get a this visa in the United Arab Emirates, you need to own a business or share in one within the country. This visa is good for 3 years. You must show that you have invested your own money into a company and that business is running well.
The government checks if your investment is real and not just on paper.
You also have to pass medical tests and prove you don’t have any serious crimes in your history. They will ask for documents like passport copies, photos, and information about your business.
It’s important to bring all these papers when applying for the visa so everything goes smoothly.
The Difference Between UAE Entry Permit and Residence Visa
A UAE entry permit is a short-term pass. It lets someone enter the UAE and stay for a bit but not live there long. It is like a visit visa, i.e., people get it to visit, work quickly, or pass through. A residence visa is different because it’s for living in the UAE longer.
With this visa, you can get an ID card, work without another visa, or go to school.
You need an entry permit first to come to the UAE. Later, if you want to stay more and have a job or family there, you can apply for your residence visa. The government looks at things like your job offer and where you will live when you apply for your own residence visa and the decision is up to them.
The Process of Applying for a UAE Residence Visa
To apply for a residence visa in UAE, you need to follow several steps. You need to gather the right documents, meet certain conditions and follow the UAE residence visa application process.
- Choose the right kind of visa based on your purpose in the UAE. This could be work, study, investing, or joining family.
- Get all your papers ready. You’ll need a passport, photos, and other important documents like a work permit if you’re getting an employment visa.
- Your sponsor or employer will usually start the process by applying for an entry permit for you if you’re outside the UAE.
- After arriving in the UAE with your entry permit, go for a medical fitness test at a government – approved health center.
- Apply for an Emirates ID card which acts as your official identification in the UAE.
- Register your biometric data including fingerprints and eye scan at an authorized typing center or with immigration authorities.
- Submit all your documents, including results from your medical test and Emirates ID registration to the immigration office.
- Pay the required fee for processing your visa application. Fees can vary depending on the type of visa.
- Wait for approval. Once approved, your passport gets stamped with the residency visa.
The Cost of Different Types of UAE Residence Visas
The financial commitment to obtain a residence visa in the UAE varies by category, reflecting the diverse options available for long-term stay. Below is a summary presented in an HTML table illustrating the cost range for each variety of residence visa available in the UAE:
| Type of Residence Visa | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 10-Year Golden Visa (Long-Term Investor Visa) | AED 2,800* – AED 3,800* |
| 5-Year Golden Visa (Property Investor Visa) | AED 2,800* – AED 3,800* |
| Employment/Work Visa | AED 3,000* – AED 7,000* |
| Company Investor Visa | AED 1,300* – AED 13,000* |
| Family Visa | Varies based on sponsorship |
| Domestic Workers Visa | Varies based on sponsorship |
| Specialist Resident Visa | Varies based on profession |
| Student Visa | Varies based on educational institution |
| Remote Working Visa | Around AED 1,287* (USD 350) + Processing Fees |
| Green Visa | AED 2,280* |
Costs for the Freelance Visa in Dubai begin at AED 20,000*, accommodating individuals seeking to work independently in free zones. Additional fees may apply for processing and medical examinations, as required for each visa type.
Consequences of Overstaying on a UAE Residence Visa
After learning about the costs of various UAE residence visas, it’s crucial to know what happens if you stay longer than allowed. If your UAE residence visa expires and the visa is cancelled, and if you do not leave or renew on time, you will have to pay fines.
These are not small charges; they add up every single day you’re late. For the first six months, the UAE residence visa overstay fee is AED 25* each day. If you keep staying without a valid visa for Dubai for over six months but less than a year, this fee doubles to AED 50* daily.
Should an entire year pass and you’re still in the UAE without a valid visa? Well, then things get even more costly. From day 366 onwards, the fine shoots up to AED 100* per day! This can be very expensive and cause big problems when trying to leave the country or get another visa later on.
It’s always best to follow visa rules and avoid these high fees.
How to Renew a UAE Residence Visa
Getting UAE residency visa renewed keeps you living in the country legally, meaning the visa must be valid and not remain unrenewed. Make sure to start this process 30 days before your visa within the UAE runs out, or during the grace period after it expires. Here are things you must remember to renew your UAE residence visa without hassle.
- Check your visa’s expiry date and plan ahead. You want to have enough time to gather all the documents you need.
- Get all your papers ready. You might need a passport photo, your current visa, an ID card, and sometimes a marriage certificate or a driver’s license.
- Visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). You can also use their online portal to apply for renewal.
- Fill out the visa renewal application form. Be sure to answer every question and double – check for mistakes.
- Pay the renewal fee. The amount depends on what kind of visa you have and how long it’s good for.
- Provide proof of medical insurance. To live in the UAE, you need health coverage.
- Wait for approval from GDRFA. They will check everything is correct with your application.
- Collect your new visa once it’s ready. They will put a sticker on your passport or give you an electronic visa.
Conclusion
In the UAE, many different residence visas are there for people to live and work. From investors to students, families to workers, each visa meets a special need. This country opens its doors wide for those who wish to make it their home.
If you plan to move here, find the right fit and apply for a residency visa to start your journey!
FAQs
1. What kinds of residence visas can you get in the UAE?
In the UAE, you can get different types of residence visas like the investor variety of visas for people who put money into businesses, family visas to stay with relatives, student visas for studying at places like the American University of Sharjah, and UAE retirement visas if you have a fixed income.
2. Can I live in the UAE if I buy a house there?
Yes, you can obtain a visa for residency in the UAE if you invest in real estate property investment or commercial properties you may qualify for a real estate investment visa that lets you live in the UAE.
3. Is it easy to move my family to the UAE?
The UAE offers a family visa which allows immediate family members to join and live together when one person meets certain conditions such as having enough income or owning property.
4. Do I need lots of money to get an investor visa in Abu Dhabi?
This variety of visas often require investing a large amount of money, like buying property in the UAE worth at least 1 million AED* (United Arab Emirates Dirham) or starting up your own business.
5. If I retire but don’t have much money left each month can I still go live in Dubai?
There is something called retirement visa which needs proof that retirees have steady cash coming every month from pensions or savings so they can enjoy life without working while living tax-free! Hence, to retire in the UAE, you merely need financial stability.
6. How do bright students stay on after school in Dubai?
Exceptional talents and grads from educational institutions might be offered options by government policies; this includes getting help with paperwork and permits so they continue adding value either through work or further studies!
Disclaimer:
This blog is intended for informational purposes only. The content is provided “as is” and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding its accuracy, completeness, or suitability. Any reliance on the information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any losses or damages arising from the use of this blog.
* – Fees and Costs Mentioned are for Reference Only.