Everything you need to know about the UAE residency visa
A UAE residence visa allows foreign nationals to legally live, work, or study in the United Arab Emirates. These visas are typically issued for longer periods, usually 2 to 3 years, and are renewable. There are several avenues to obtain UAE residency, including company formation, real estate purchase, investment, study, or marriage to a UAE national.
Types of UAE Residency Visas
Residency Through Company Formation
This method involves establishing a company in either a free zone or mainland UAE. Applicants must submit a business plan and secure initial capital. This type of residency is generally valid for 3 years and is renewable.
Residency Through Real Estate Purchase
The UAE offers residency to property buyers under specific conditions. For instance, purchasing a residential property in designated free zones with a minimum value of AED 750,000 can lead to a 2-year or even a 10-year residency (Golden Visa).
Residency Through Investment
This type of residency is designed for significant investors and can be obtained by investing in the UAE economy, engaging in government-approved entrepreneurship, or investing in UAE funds.
Residency Through Study
Students accepted into accredited universities and colleges in the UAE can obtain a student residency visa. This visa is typically valid for 1 year and is renewable.
Residency Through Marriage
Marrying a UAE national can lead to obtaining UAE residency. The initial residency is usually for 3 years and is renewable if the marriage continues.
Required Documents for UAE Residency
- Original passport
- Residency application form
- Passport-sized photos
- Entry visa to the UAE
- Proof of sponsor’s legal residency (if applicable)
- Medical examination and fitness test results
- Health insurance certificate
- Proof of family relationship (if applicable)
- Company registration documents (if applicable)
Residency Costs
The costs vary depending on the type of visa and the duration of stay. For example, a student residency typically ranges from AED 1,500 to AED 3,000, while family-based residency costs between AED 1,000 and AED 3,000. Investment-based residency, on the other hand, requires substantial financial outlays.
Important Considerations
- To obtain UAE residency, you typically need a sponsor (an individual or a company).
- UAE residency is generally issued for temporary periods (2 to 3 years) and is renewable if the conditions are met.
- You must apply for renewal before your visa expires.
- If your visa expires or is canceled, you have a 30-day grace period to regularize your residency status.
- For more information and consultation regarding UAE residency, you can refer to reputable immigration websites.
A) Can all family members obtain a UAE residence visa, i.e., father, mother, father (parents of the applicant), children under 18, and unmarried daughters?
Yes, foreign employees or employers can obtain residence visas. There are three ways they can change their status from an entry permit holder to a residence visa holder:
- Official employment
- Company registration
- Real estate purchase
Once a valid residence permit is obtained, male residents can sponsor their wives, children (under 18), and any unmarried daughters over 18.
The UAE Cabinet has also granted long-term visas to certain foreign expatriates, such as entrepreneurs, specialized talents, researchers in science and knowledge, and outstanding students, under specific conditions.
B) Who issues the residence visa, and is it guaranteed?
The Dubai government issues it. It is guaranteed as long as the property buyer owns the property, passes all security and medical tests, and is not rejected by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
C) If the property buyer does not currently live in Dubai but intends to live there in the future, what are the steps to obtain a residence visa?
The type of residence visa you are eligible for depends on the value of the purchased property. Once a buyer acquires a property, they automatically become eligible for a residence visa.
The application for a residence visa can be made through the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), which is the e-channel for citizenship and residency, or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), which operates under the UAE Ministry.
D) If the property buyer does not live in Dubai, can they obtain the visa in someone else’s name, such as employees or other family members?
No, only the primary property buyer receives the residence visa, but they can sponsor their dependents.
