Are you planning to move to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? If so, you’re likely wondering how to get a residence visa in UAE and Emirates ID sorted out. Getting them can seem daunting if you’re unfamiliar with the process, but don’t worry; this step-by-step guide will help you get everything quickly and easily to start your new life in the UAE.
Residency Visa
1. What Are the Types of Residency Visas in UAE?
There are different types of residency visas in the UAE; unlike short-stay visa options such as tourist visas, residence visas are typically valid for between 2 and 3 years; however, they can be extended up to 10 years through renewals.
Besides, you should first know the difference between them and decide which type of residency visa you need accordingly. Check below the types of residency visas in UAE with more details:
- Golden Visa: This type is granted to investors who contribute at least AED 10 million to the UAE economy, which can be in the form of real estate purchases or business investments.
- UAE Company Investor Visa: It’s a general residence permit that can be used by owners of start-up companies in the UAE or hold shares in one.
- Property Investor Visa: It’s available to those who wish to invest in real estate or buy property in the UAE. It requires a minimum investment of AED 5 million.
- UAE Retirement Visa: The retirement visa is granted to individuals over 55 years old who are able to support themselves financially without working in the UAE. They must have an investment in a real estate property that’s worth AED 2 million or savings in the amount of AED 1 million or more.
- UAE Employment Visa: This one suits you if you who have a job in the UAE and a valid contract with an employer who holds an Emirati company license or has been licensed by an Emirati authority.
- UAE Student Visa: This visa is issued for foreign nationals who have been accepted into any of the educational institutions in the country.
2. How Can You Get a UAE Residence Visa in 5 Easy Steps?
If you want to live and work in the UAE, you need to apply for a residence visa. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1-Fill out the online application form for the UAE residency visa. Moreover, you will need to provide your personal and professional details, as well as your sponsor’s information.
2-Submit a copy of your passport and two photos that meet the UAE visa photo requirements, your entry visa, and your sponsor’s legal residency proof.
3-Pay the visa fees online or at a typing center. And take in consideration these fees vary depending on the type and duration of your visa.
4-Wait for the approval of your application.
5- You will receive an email or SMS notification when your visa is ready.
6-Collect your visa from the nearest immigration office or have it delivered to your address.
2. What Are the Documents You Need to Get a Residency Visa in the UAE?
There is a number of documents you should submit while applying for a UAE Residency visa. You can check them below:
- The UAE visa application form
- Your passport
- Two passport-size pictures
- Entry visa
- Proof of sponsor’s legal residency
- Proof of financial statements
- A medical fitness test
- Health insurance approved by DHA
- Birth/marriage certificates when applying for family visas
- For a work visa, the sponsor must submit
- Copy of the work contract
- The work contract
- A copy of the firm’s trade license
- Copy of the firm card
- Documents relevant to your travel purpose
3. How Much Is the Fee for Getting a Residency Visa in UAE?
The fee can vary depending on the visa type and where you apply, but generally, the longer your visa, the higher its cost is. Find below the UAE residence visa fees in detail:
- Visa fee: AED 100 (for one year)
- Processing and application fee
- AED 70 (offline)
- AED 40 (online)
- Medical exam and health insurance fees: it varies according to the type of visa and location of the application.
4. How Can You Get a Residency Visa in UAE?
You can get the residency visa through a few steps, as it’s an effortless process.
- Firstly, your sponsor should apply for an entry permit in order to enter the country.
- Secondly, once it’s issued and you’re in the UAE, they should apply for your residency visa at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. (ICP)
- You should submit your documents and pay the fee; then your application will be processed.
- If your application is approved, they will affix the residency to your passport.
This process can be done online or offline as the ICP offers both; here are the available options,
- ICP official website
- ICP mobile app
- Printing offices (according to the emirates you’re staying in)
Once you have your residency visa on your passport, you are eligible to apply for an Emirates ID card. Besides, you can always check the status of your residency visa online with zero effort.
5. What Is the Entry Permit and Where Can it Be Issued?
The entry permit is a document that gives you permission to stay within the UAE for a limited period to finalize your residency procedures. It should be issued by your sponsor. However, some nationalities don’t need an entry permit as they can get visas upon arrival, like GCC residents.
The entry permit can be issued online or offline through the following channels:
Online
- The e-Channels portal
- The website of GDRFA – Dubai
- The ICP App ( Google Play and App Store)
- Dubai Now (Google Play and App Store)
Offline
- The licensed typing centers in the emirate
6. How Can You Get a Residency Visa in Dubai?
Getting a residency visa in Dubai is a simple and straightforward process as it has the same steps as the other UAE emirates. Besides, the needed documents are the same as the ones mentioned above.
Emirates ID
How Can You Get a New Emirates ID?
Having an Emirates ID is an essential step once you move to the country and get your visa. It’s simply an identification card that gives you access to almost all the services in the UAE.
FAQ
1. What Is a Residence Visa in the UAE?
There are various ways to obtain residency in the UAE, depending on your circumstances:
- Establish your own business within the UAE.
- Secure a work visa through an employer sponsorship.
- Obtain a freelance visa, which is available in Dubai and other Emirates.
- Enroll in a university or educational institution.
- Apply for a family visa, whether as a spouse, child, or retired parent dependent.
- Invest in property valued at a minimum of AED 750,000 to qualify for a 2-year Property Investor Visa.
- Consider options like the UAE Golden Visa or Green Visa for long-term residency.
- For retirees, there is a special retirement visa available in the UAE.
These pathways provide flexibility based on your personal or professional goals
2. How Can I get a Residence Visa in Sharjah?
To get a Sharjah residence visa, you will need to follow these steps:
- Register on the websites of ICP and GDRFA or through their apps.
- Apply and pay fees online or at typing centers.
- Get an entry permit and enter the country within 60 days from the issuance of the permit.
- Complete the required procedures, which include undergoing a medical test and passing a security check.
- Apply for an Emirates ID card from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
There are a number of general requirements to get a UAE residence visa despite the emirate you will live in. Have a look at them below.
- For the dependent, a recent coloured personal photo with a white background
- For the dependent, a copy of the passport
- Application receipt for Emirates ID
- Housing lease contract (certified) or proof of having a residence
- Copy of the sponsor’s passport accompanied by a valid residence permit
- For the sponsor, the job contract
- For those above 18, medical fitness certificate
- Entry permit
- For the children (dependant), attested birth certificate
- Photo of the mother’s residence for the newly-born
- Health card or medical insurance
- Certificate of divorce or death (in the case of divorced women and widows)
- For divorced women and widows,
- a proof of housing
- a proof of the woman’s ability to earn a living
- For students, a certificate issued by the university or institute stating the duration of the study
Once you have completed all of these steps, you will be issued a Sharjah residence visa.
With this detailed guide, we hope all your questions are answered and the ambiguity about the process of getting the residency visa and Emirates ID is removed.
