The UAE is a nation consisting of nearly 88% expatriates this is for the great living standards If you’re wondering how to get a residency visa in UAE and become part of its promising future, you need to check the various types of residency visas available.
That’s why Property Finder has this simple guide for you. Check it out.
1. UAE 10-Year Golden Visa or Long-Term Investor Visa
The 10-year Golden Visa in the UAE is a type of investor visa with specific requirements that should be fulfilled by the applicant.
It is considered as a residency visa by investment because the applicant must have public investments of a certain amount in the UAE. Check out the requirements and conditions as stated below.
Requirements
One of the following requirements for the UAE Golden Visa must be fulfilled:
- An investment in the UAE that’s no less than AED 10 M
- Being an owner of a company within the UAE whose capital is at least AED 10 M
- Partnering in a company in the UAE with a share that’s valued at a minimum of AED 10 M
- Investing in all of the above sectors mentioned in previous points with a total amount of AED 10 M at least (given that 60% of the total investments should be in non-real estate sectors).
Guidelines
- The investor shouldn’t be loaned the money they invest
- The investment must be retained for a duration of 3 years
- The investor should have financial assets amounting to AED 10 M
- If the investor wishes, business partners can be included in the investment, provided they invest an amount of AED 10 M each.
Validity
This visa is valid for 10 years and will be renewed automatically.
Get to know more about Golden Visa for investors from here
2. UAE 5-Year Golden Visa or Property Investor Visa
There’s always the question of whether you can get a residency if you buy a property in Dubai or the UAE, and the answer is yes. If you’re wondering how you can achieve residency through property investment, you should read about this type of residency visa.
Requirements
All the investor has to do is acquire a property in the UAE, fulfilling the following requirements:
- When investing, the amount used shouldn’t be a loan
- The said property has to be retained for a duration of 3 years.
- The gross value of the property should be no less than AED 5 M
Documents
The following copies should be available with the investor when applying:
- Passport
- Previous visa
- Personal photo (white background)
- The title deed of the property
- Good Conduct Certificate
- Bank statement
- Health insurance approved by DHA
- Utility bill.
Validity
It is valid for 5 years with automatic renewal.
You can check this detailed guide for investor visas in Dubai on Property Finder.
3. UAE Retirement Visa
Residents in the UAE who are above the age of 55 years old can apply for a retirement visa.
Requirements
There are a few rules and regulations to this UAE residency visa for someone looking to retire in the country.
One of the following requirements must be fulfilled:
- The applicant must have an investment in a real estate property that’s worth AED 2 M (in this case it is considered a type of investment visa)
- The applicant must have savings in the amount of AED 1 M or more
- It would help if you had ongoing income that’s worth at least AED 20,000 per month
- The applicant can combine owning a property and their savings in the UAE, amounting to AED 2 M
Documents
- The below copies are required by the applicants in any of the above cases:
- Passport (applicants and their dependants if any)
- Marriage certificate (when applicants are spouses)
- Current UAE residency visa
- Emirates ID
- Further specific documents are required depending on the case as follows:
Real estate investment
- Copy of title deed
Savings
- Proof of retirement letter
- Proof of savings in UAE letter
Fixed income
- Proof of retirement letter
- Proof of income letter
- Bank statement of 6 months
Property investment and savings
- Copy of title deed
- Proof of savings letter.
Validity
The UAE retirement visa is valid for 5 years and can be renewed
For details on how to retire in Dubai, check this retirement visa guide on Property Finder.
4. UAE Employment Visa
The first type of residency visa in the UAE is obtained when a foreign national is employed by a company within the country. This type of visa allows them to legally live and work in the UAE.
Sponsorship
In this case, the employer of the individual will act as a sponsor for them to obtain the visa. Employers can be a private entities located in the mainland or free zone, or they could be a government-owned facility.
Documents
Some documents are required from the company and the employee as follows:
For a mainland company, copies of the following are required:
Company
- Trade License
- Company Immigration Card
- Company Labour Card
Employee
- Passport
- Personal photo (white background)
- Education certificate
- Previous residency visa if applicable
- Previous Emirates ID if applicable
- Tourist Visa if applicable
- Health Insurance approved by DHA
For a Freezone company or government entity, copies of the following documents are required:
Company
- Online visa application
- Trade License
- Company Immigration Card
- Office Lease Agreement
Employee
- Passport
- Personal photo (white background)
- Copy of offer letter/appointment letter
- Education certificate
- Previous residency visa if applicable
- Previous Emirates ID if applicable
- Tourist Visa if applicable
- Health Insurance approved by DHA
Validity
- The UAE Employment Visa’s validity with a mainland company is 2 years
- The UAE Employment Visa’s validity with a freezone company or government entity is 3 years.
Both visas are subject to renewal
5. UAE Company Investor Visa
his UAE residency visa is acquired by foreigners who are owners of their own company in the UAE or hold shares in one. Furthermore, it’s for expats looking to start up their own businesses in the country.
The UAE residency visa by investment gives legality to its holder to live and work in the country for its duration of validity.
Documents
For investing in a mainland company, the following copies are required from the company and the investor:
Company
- Trade License
- Immigration Establishment Card
- Memorandum of Association (LLC)
- Local Service Agreement
- Partnership contract if available
- Partners list (LLC)
Investor
- Passport
- Personal photo (white background)
- Bank statement if applicable
- Previous visa if applicable
- Previous Emirates ID if applicable
For those investing in a Freezone company or government entity, these copies will be required as follows:
Company
- Trade License
- Share Certificate
- Immigration Card
- Memorandum of Association
- Certificate of Incorporation
Investor
- Passport
- Personal photo (white background)
- Bank statement if applicable
- Previous visa if applicable
- Previous Emirates ID if applicable
Explore areas for retirees in Dubai
6. UAE Family Visa
If an expat has acquired any type of residency visa within the UAE, they are then able to be a sponsor to their immediate family.
Sponsorship
In this case, the person will be able to sponsor their spouse, children, and parents.
Requirements
To issue a UAE family visa, these rules have to be met:
- Investors looking to sponsor their family have to pay a refundable amount of AED 3,000 per family member.
- For employees wanting to sponsor their families, their salary has to be at least AED 4,000. Alternatively, it can be AED 3,000 plus the monthly rent.
- When sponsoring parents, the person’s monthly income should not be less than AED 20,000. In this case, both parents are sponsored; if one is deceased, their death certificate is required.
Documents
Here are the required documents for a UAE family visa by the sponsor and dependants:
Sponsor
- Passport copy
- UAE residency visa copy
- Original Emirates ID
- Labor card and contract by Ministry of Labour copy
- For employment by Freezone or a governmental facility, an Arabic salary certificate
- Ejari or Tawtheeq Certificate
- Utility bill
- Bank statement if applicable
- Dependants
- Passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- Previous visa copy if applicable
- Marriage certificate (if the dependant is the spouse)
- Birth certificate for children
- Health insurance approved by DHA
7. UAE Domestic Workers Visa
If expats are looking to recruit a domestic worker, this residency visa should be issued for the worker.
Sponsorship
In this case, they are sponsoring either a maid, housekeeper, cook, private driver, babysitter, and the like.
Requirements
The below requirements have to be met in order for an expat to be able to sponsor a domestic worker in the UAE:
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- The expat looking to be a sponsor has to earn a salary that’s at least AED 25,000
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- The domestic worker cannot be related to the person sponsoring them
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- The sponsor has to be a UAE resident already who lives with their family
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- If the domestic worker is a private driver, then the sponsor must have two personal cars registered under their name in the UAE.
Documents
Here are the documents required to sponsor a domestic worker in the UAE
Sponsor
- Visa application
- Proof of non-relation (if a worker is of the same nationality as their sponsor)
- Passport copy
- Resident visa copy
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- Bank statement
- Labor contract copy
- Health insurance card copy
- Tenancy contract (at least 2-bedroom unit)
- Salary certificate
Worker
- Passport copy
- Visa copy
- Passport-size photo (white backgroun
- Medical fitness certificate from worker’s country of origin
Validity
The visa will be valid for one year and the sponsor can apply for renewal or cancellation.
You can check this guide on Property Finder for details on how to sponsor a housemaid in Dubai.
8. UAE Specialist Resident Visa
This is a residency visa that can be granted to special talents working in the Emirates in the fields of science and knowledge. Ongoing employment is mandatory for all applicants.
Requirements
Here are the requirements for special talent expats looking to apply for a specialist residency visa in the UAE:
- Scientists have to be accredited by the Emirates Scientist Council or winners of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence
- Applicants working in the culture and arts field have to be accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development
- Investors must have a patent valuation that adds extreme value to the economy in the UAE, and it has to have approval from the Ministry of Economy
- Any exceptional talents must be documented by patents or published in globally recognized journals
- Executives applying for this visa must own a renowned company that is considered a leading organization on a global scale
On the other hand, doctors and specialists need to fulfill at least two requirements from the below list:
- The applicant’s PhD has to be from a university that is on the list of the best 500 universities in the world and they have experience working in the field for at least 10 year
- The applicant has to be recognized by a special award or a certificate of appreciation for work in their field
- They have contributed significantly to large-scale scientific research in their respective fields
- The applicant has published an article or scientific book in their field in a well-known publication
- The applicant is a member of an esteemed organization that specializes in their field of work
- Their specialty is specifically needed and considered a priority profession in the UAE.
Validity
The specialist visa’s duration is for 10 years and can be renewed if conditions are still met.
9. UAE Student Visa
Students looking to apply to educational institutions in the UAE can do so through a student residency visa in the UAE.
Documents
Here are the documents required by students to obtain this type of visa:
- Passport copy (validity of at least 6 months)
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- Visa and tuition fees receipt
- Current visa copy (if applicable)
- Copy of admission letter.
Validity
The student visa is issued with a 1 year validity period; the student applies for renewal on an annual basis until their education years are done.
Furthermore, outstanding students can apply for a 5-year student visa, provided they have a grade of 95% in secondary school. For university students, their GPA should be 3.75 at least.
10. Remote Working Visa
In case you already have your own remote job and want to live in Dubai, you can enjoy this now. Dubai’s government offers you the Remote Working Visa which enables you to stay in the emirate and enjoy its stunning living atmosphere.
There are some documents and requirements to apply for this type of visa; check them below.
Documents
Here are the required documents to apply for the Remote Working Visa:
- A valid passport for 6 months at least
- Health insurance with UAE coverage validity
For employees, you should submit:
- Proof of employment from your current employer with a contract of at least one year of validity
- Proof of minimum $5,000/month salary
- Payslip for the last month
- Bank statements for three consecutive months.
In case you’re a business owner, you should provide these documents:
- Proof of ownership of your company for one year or more
- A paper that proves your average monthly income is $5,000/month
- Bank statements for three consecutive months.
Validity
It’s valid for one year.
10. Green Visa
The UAE has recently introduced this new type of visa, the: Green Visa. It’s designed to attract highly skilled professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and students to the country.
It’s also considered one of the investment and employment visa types in UAE as it’s suitable for both cases.
Here are the benefits of the Green Visa for UAE residents:
- Long-term residency
- The ability to sponsor family members
- The freedom to work for any UAE-based company or establish a business of their own
- Green Visa holders will have access to healthcare, education, and other government services
- You will also enjoy a more flexible grace period that is up to 6-months after the end or cancellation of your residency visa.
- As a holder of a Green Visa, you can bring all your first-degree relatives.
This initiative is part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy, attract foreign investment and talent, and become a global hub for innovation and sustainability.
In addition, the cost of the Green visa in UAE is around AED 2,280; this is in addition to AED 575 Emirates ID fee and AED 320 medical costs.
Sponsorship
The holder of this visa has the right to sponsor all their family members and they get the same residency duration as the holder.
Eligibility
- Talented people
- Skilled professionals/employees
- Freelancers
Requirements
- The requirements for this type of residence visa in UAE differ according to your condition. Find them in detail below.
Skilled Professionals/employees
- You should have a valid employment contract.
- They should be classified at the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd occupational level, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- The minimum educational level must be a BA degree or equivalent
- Your salary shouldn’t be less than AED 15,000 (USD 4,083.74).
Freelancers/Self-employed
- From the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in UAE, you should submit a freelance or self-employment permit.
- A proof of their education, while the minimum educational qualification is a BA or specialised diploma.
- Your annual income from self-employment for the past 2 years should be equal to or more than AED 360,000 (USD 98,009.86)
Otherwise, they should be able to prove their financial solvency throughout their stay in the country.
Investor or Partner
- You should have an investment of AED 1 million with approval or proof of it.
In case the investor or partner has more than 1 license, the sum of its capital in total will be calculated.
It’s mandatory to have the approval of the responsible local authorities.
Documents
- Valid passport for at least 6 months
- A copy of your passport-size photograph on white background
- Medical reports from the responsible local authorities
- Proof of health insurance or health card
- Valid entry permit
- Document proving your qualification
- A freelancing permit from MOHRE or Proof of employment
- An application form fully filled
Validity
The Green visa in UAE gives you 5-year residence in the country to all the eligible parties.
FAQ
In the UAE, visas are categorized based on the purpose and duration of stay. The main types include:
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- Work Visa: For those employed in the UAE
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- Retirement Visa: For retirees settling in the UAE.
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- Investment Visa: Aimed at investors in the UAE’s economy.
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- Student Visa: For international students studying in the UAE.
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- UAE Domestic Workers Visa: Specifically for domestic workers.
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- Golden Visa: Long-term visa for highly skilled individuals.
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- Family Visa: For family members of UAE residents.
Each visa type comes with its own eligibility criteria, application process, and validity, catering to the diverse needs of expats in the UAE
The UAE offers various categories of visas depending on the purpose and duration of the visit. The main categories of visas in the UAE are:
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- Tourist Visa: This visa is designed for individuals who want to visit the UAE for tourism or leisure purposes. It is valid for 30 or 90 days and can be extended for an additional 90 days.
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- Visit Visa: For people who want to visit family or friends in the UAE, this one is ideal for them. It is usually valid for 30 or 90 days and can be extended for an additional 90 days.
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- Business Visa: It’s suitable for those who want to visit the UAE for business purposes, such as attending conferences or meetings. It’s valid for 14 or 30 days and can be extended for an additional 14 days.
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- Student Visa: This visa is made for those who want to study in the UAE. It’s valid for 1-year and can be renewed.
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- Transit Visa: Such a type is for individuals who are in transit through the UAE and want to leave the airport for a short period. Its validity duration is for 48 hours.
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- Mission Visa: If you want to visit the UAE for government or diplomatic purposes, this type is made for such cases. It is usually valid for 30 days and can be extended.
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- Job Seeker Visit Visa: the UAE lately introduced this type of visa to allow job seekers to find new opportunities in its market. This type grants you a valid stay for 60, 90, or 120 days.
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- GCC Resident Visa: If you’re a GCC national, then this visa suits you as it’s tailored for residents of other GCC countries who want to visit the UAE.
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- Investor Visa: This visa is designed for individuals who want to invest in the UAE and set up a business. It is usually valid for 3 years and can be renewed.
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- Green Visa: This is a new category of visa introduced by the UAE for highly skilled professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and students. It offers long-term residency of up to 10 years and various benefits.
You can get a 5-year residence visa in UAE in different ways, as there are a number of types that offer such a validity period like
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- Green Visa
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- Golden Visa
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- Retirement Visa
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- Property Investment Visa
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- What Is Visa Category 3 or 4 in UAE?
In the UAE’s visa system, expats are classified into categories by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation based on their educational qualifications. Category 3 specifically applies to individuals with a high school diploma. Each category, including 1, 2, 3, and 4, outlines distinct rights and eligibility for residency visas and other services within the UAE
The fee for the residency visa depends on different factors and variables. However, you can have a look at UAE’s average visa cost according to each type.
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- Employment/Work Visa: AED 3,000 – AED 7,000
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- Golden Visa: AED 2,800 – AED 3,800
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- Green Visa: AED 2,280
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- Investor Visa: AED 1,300 – AED 13,000 (as it depends on your type of investment)
Freelance Visa: AED 7,500
Each type is mentioned above in the article in detail regarding their requirements, eligibility, and validity period.
Now you know what the different types of residency visas in UAE are, so you can take the jump, see what’s your best option, and join one of the most successful countries in the world.
Check out here the list of apartments to buy in Dubai.
