UAE Residency Visas Opportunities Unveiled

Discover the benefits of UAE residency visas, including comprehensive legal protection, rich cultural experiences, and networking opportunities. Find out how these visas provide individuals with a stable and prosperous future in a dynamic and welcoming country.

UAE residency visas offer individuals a myriad of benefits, providing them with a stable and prosperous future in a dynamic and welcoming country. From comprehensive legal protection to rich cultural experiences and networking opportunities, these visas unlock prosperity and security for professionals, entrepreneurs, and families alike. We delve into the various types of UAE residency visas and the unique advantages they offer below.

  1. Golden Visa UAE: A Pathway to Prosperity

The Golden Visa UAE is one of the most sought-after residency visas, granting individuals a strong legal system that provides them with a sense of security and tranquility. This visa is particularly attractive for professionals, entrepreneurs, and families looking to establish a stable future in the UAE. With the right to seek legal assistance, Golden Visa holders can ensure that their rights and interests are safeguarded by the comprehensive laws and regulations of the UAE.

  1. Investor Visa: Capitalising on Business Opportunities

The UAE’s investor visa is designed to attract foreign investors and entrepreneurs who wish to establish or expand their businesses in the country. This visa offers individuals the opportunity to capitalize on the UAE’s thriving business environment and benefit from its strategic location as a global business hub. With access to world-class infrastructure, tax incentives, and a supportive business ecosystem, investor visa holders can unlock a wealth of opportunities and propel their ventures to new heights.

  1. Employment Visa: Building a Rewarding Career

The employment visa is granted to individuals who have secured a job with a UAE-based employer. This visa allows professionals to build a rewarding career in a range of industries, from finance and technology to healthcare and hospitality. With a valid employment visa, individuals can not only enjoy the benefits of working in a prosperous economy but also access healthcare, education, and other essential services provided by the UAE government.

  1. Family Visa: Embracing a Sense of Togetherness

The UAE recognises the importance of family and offers family visas to ensure loved ones can be together and enjoy a fulfilling life in the country. This visa allows individuals to sponsor their spouse, children, and other dependents, providing them with the opportunity to benefit from the UAE’s stability, quality of life, and world-class education and healthcare systems. Family visa holders can create lasting memories and foster a sense of togetherness in this vibrant and welcoming country.

  1. Retirement Visa: Embracing a Peaceful Lifestyle

For those seeking a peaceful and relaxed lifestyle in their golden years, the UAE offers a retirement visa. This visa allows individuals to retire in the UAE and enjoy a wide range of benefits, including access to healthcare services, cultural experiences, and a safe and secure environment. Retirees can make the most of their leisure time by exploring the UAE’s iconic landmarks, engaging in recreational activities, and immersing themselves in the country’s rich cultural heritage.

UAE residency visas, including the Golden Visa, investor visa, employment visa, family visa, and retirement visa, provide individuals with a stable and prosperous future in a dynamic and welcoming country. Whether seeking legal protection, business opportunities, career growth, family togetherness, or a peaceful retirement, these visas unlock a world of possibilities. Experience the benefits of UAE residency visas and embark on a journey towards a brighter future in this thriving nation.

Residency Visa Types in the UAE

The Dubai Investor Visa, also known as the Dubai Partner visa, is designed for foreign nationals who intend to establish their own business or invest in an existing business within Dubai.

With the Dubai investor visa, individuals are granted the privilege to reside in the UAE and move in and out of the country as needed throughout the visa’s validity period. Holding a Dubai Investor Visa designates the visa holder as a tax domicile of the UAE, exempting them from taxation by their home country, although this depends on the regulations of the investor’s home nation.

Possessing a Dubai Investor Visa enables one to apply for an Emirates ID card, open a bank account, obtain a UAE driving license, enroll in mobile and home packages with Etisalat or Du, and access various other vital services.

Moreover, the Dubai Investor Visa empowers its holder to sponsor their spouse, children, and parents for entry into the UAE.

The Dubai Investor Visa encompasses four distinct categories, each catering to different eligibility criteria:

Designed for individuals choosing to invest in residential properties valued at AED 1 million or more, with a condition that up to 50% of the property’s value can be under mortgage, this visa category opens its doors to investors co-owning properties as well, given that each co-owner’s share is valued at no less than AED 1 million.

The investment must be directed toward a singular residential property and is not extended to encompass commercial properties. Furthermore, it’s important to note that the visa exclusively pertains to freehold residential properties; applications tied to off-plan properties are not eligible.

The visa duration ranges from three to five years and can be extended for the duration of the investor’s ownership of the property in the country.

A three-year visa option is available to those who have invested in a property valued at AED 1 million or higher, while the five-year visa necessitates ownership of a property worth a minimum of AED 5 million.

Available to individuals who opt to invest in or start up a business within Dubai’s mainland or its diverse free zones, this visa offering comes against the backdrop of an extensive array of over 3,500 business activities provided by the Dubai Economy for commencing ventures on the mainland.

Recent regulatory adjustments mark a historic milestone in the nation’s history by enabling full foreign ownership of companies operating within Dubai’s mainland. This landmark move annulling the longstanding requirement for commercial enterprises to hold a majority Emirati shareholder or agent, ushering in a new era of business possibilities.

The authorization for complete foreign ownership in certain commercial activities aligns with the strategic guidelines formulated by the UAE Cabinet. This visa category is extended to investors who hold shares in an existing company with a minimum valuation of AED 72,000 or those establishing a company with an equivalent capital investment. For foreign investors venturing into Dubai’s free zones, the process stands distinct – devoid of the need for local sponsors or partners. These free zone establishments enjoy tax exemptions, while affording foreign nationals the privilege of full ownership. It’s important to note that the visa application procedure can vary based on factors such as the specific free zone of operation and the nature of the business.

Under the umbrella of this recently introduced visa, investors who fulfill specific criteria are entitled to a residency period of either 5 or 10 years, contingent on the magnitude of their investment within the country. Additionally, the investor’s spouse, children, one manager, and one advisor are also eligible for application.

The 10-year residency visa is extended to investors who commit a minimum of AED 10 million, accomplished through depositing funds in an investment fund within the nation, founding a company in the UAE with a capital exceeding AED 10 million, participating in an existing or novel company with a share value surpassing AED 10 million, or displaying a total investment of AED 10 million across all aforementioned domains.

On the other hand, the 5-year visa is accessible to investors with property holdings valued at a gross sum exceeding AED 5 million, or entrepreneurs engaged in an ongoing project with a capital threshold of at least AED 500,000, contingent on additional governing guidelines.

Crafted to cater to the requirements of investors aged 55 and above, this visa category is tailored for those seeking retirement amidst Dubai’s splendid sunshine. Offering a duration of 5 years, this visa is available to individuals who fulfill one of the following criteria: invest in a property valued at AED 2 million, possess accumulated savings totaling AED 1 million, or maintain a consistent monthly income of at least AED 20,000.

 

* The investor visa application and process largely differs from one applicant to the other. 

When starting employment with a company in Dubai, expatriates must secure sponsorship from their hiring company. This sponsoring entity is legally obligated to facilitate the application process for the employee’s entry visa, work permit, and residency. The duration of the obtained residence permit depends on the terms of the employment contract, spanning either one or two years.

To enter the UAE for employment purposes, your prospective UAE employer must furnish an official work offer aligned with the standard employment contract stipulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE). MoHRE which is the entity responsible for regulations for the private sector in the UAE (for mainland companies). For Freezone established companies, the designated FZ jurisdiction will be the regulator of the employment relationship. This employment offer needs to be mutually signed by both you and your employer, and subsequently registered with the ministry/freezone. Following this registration, your employer can proceed to apply for a work permit on your behalf.

To process your work permit, the employer will ask you for the following:

  • a color photograph with a white background
  • a copy of the worker’s passport valid for six months
  • authenticated academic qualifications, if required depending on job level (whether high school, diploma, university degree or equivalent)
  • a letter of approval issued by the competent entity, if required for certain posts (such as a physician, pharmacist, nurse, teacher and others).

Employer-sponsored expats may also sponsor their immediate family members, subject to conditions which include minimum salary of AED 10,000 or AED 6,000 plus accommodation.

Working without first obtaining the proper visa status is illegal and could lead to imprisonment, fines and/or deportation. Penalties apply to both: the employer and the employee.

Different work-related strategies give residents and individuals who wish to come to the city a chance to obtain a freelance visa in Dubai or a permit. Freelance activities are varied into 4 main industries: Media, Education, Tech & Design. A freelancer permit is issued by one of the leading freezone communities in Dubai: Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park & Dubai Design District. The requirements for initial stage submitting are:

  1. Resume/CV
  2. Proof of academic qualifications, certified by MOFA
  3. Recent Photograph
  4. Passport copy (valid for at least 6 months)
  5. Bank reference letter
  6. Visa, Emirates ID copies and NOC from your UAE sponsor (if applicable)

* Before proceeding with your Dubai family visa application, it is crucial to fulfill the strict eligibility criteria set by the authorities. You may be eligible to apply for a Dubai family visa if you meet the following sponsorship criteria:

  • You should be a valid residence visa holder currently residing in the UAE.
  • Male sponsors must earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 6,000, or AED 10,000 along with accommodation.
  • Female sponsors must have a minimum salary of AED 15,000, or AED 20,000 with accommodation.
  • Family members over the age of 18 who are being sponsored must undergo a medical fitness test.
  • For sponsoring parents, you must have a minimum monthly salary of AED 10,000 and provide proof of a 2-bedroom apartment.

Family Visa Requirements:

  • A copy of valid passport of the sponsored family member
  • A colored passport-size photograph (digital) of you and your family members.
  • A copy of the passport of the person sponsoring.
  • A copy of the front and back of the Emirates ID Card of the person sponsoring.
  • A copy of the UAE residence visa of the person sponsoring.
  • A copy of work contract for the sponsor is needed with proof of meeting the minimum salary requirement or salary certificate.
  • Proof of accommodation in the form of a lease contract or title deed, or a registered tenancy contract or home ownership contract in the sponsor's name. However, if the wife is a sponsor and the contract is in the husband's name, then a copy of the husband's Emirates ID card must be attached to the contract and any additional documents.
  • Make sure you also have attested your marriage certificate and attested the children's birth certificates.

The UAE Green Visa introduces a 5-year residence pathway tailored for skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. This visa configuration offers an array of benefits to expatriates, encompassing notably flexible grace periods that can extend up to six months.

The visa targets a diverse range of individuals, including highly skilled talents, enterprising investors, and accomplished businesspersons from around the world. Notably, successful applicants can secure residence permits for their male children up to 25 years of age, while unmarried daughters face no age restrictions.

Furthermore, individuals with special needs, termed “children of determination,” are also granted resident permits, irrespective of their age.
Outlined below are the requirements for obtaining UAE Green Visa across different categories:

This visa classification aims to attract accomplished professionals. Under this newly introduced track, skilled employees can obtain a 5-year residency without the necessity of a sponsor or employer.

Prerequisites:

  • Possession of a valid employment contract
  • Classification within the first, second, or third occupational levels designated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization
  • A minimum educational attainment of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent for eligibility for the UAE Green Visa
  • A salary not falling below AED 15,000

Designed for individuals following a flexible work model, the Green Visa for Freelancing and Self-employment dispenses with the requirement for a sponsor or employer.
Eligibility Criteria:

  • Acquisition of a freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE)
  • A specialized diploma or a bachelor’s degree as the minimum education level
  • A cumulative annual income from self-employment for the preceding two years, surpassing AED 360,000
  • Alternatively, the applicant must demonstrate financial solvency to ensure their stability throughout their stay in the UAE

** If you possess a specialized talent, you have the opportunity to obtain a UAE visa. Specialized talents may include individuals with expertise in fields such as medicine, investment, science, or arts and culture. However, to be eligible for the 10-year UAE visa for individuals with specialized talents, certain conditions must be met:

Accreditation by the Emirates Scientists Council or holding a Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence is required.

Accreditation by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development is necessary.

Having a valuable patent accredited by the Ministry of Economy that benefits the UAE’s economy is a prerequisite.

You must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Hold a PhD degree from one of the world’s top 500 universities.
  • Possess a PhD degree along with ten years of professional experience in your field.
  • Hold an award or certificate of appreciation related to your field.
  • Be a member of an organization linked to your field.
  • Have published articles or scientific books in renowned publications relevant to your field.
  • Specialize in an area that is of priority to the UAE.

Being the head of a prominent and internationally recognized company is required.

You must have published scientific research in a world-class journal or hold a patent.

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Residency Visa Process