Types of UAE residence visas, requirements, fees, other guidelines, and FAQs

Individuals who want to live and work in the UAE for an extended period of time must get a UAE Residence Visa. A residency visa for the UAE provides the bearer with numerous advantages, including:

  • You have the option of opening a bank account.
  • You can obtain a bank loan (personal or car loan)
  • You can obtain your driver’s license.
  • You have visa-free entry to a number of countries.
  • Your children can attend either public or private schools.
  • You have access to government health care and insurance.

However, in order to obtain a Residence Visa for the UAE, you must first complete certain eligibility requirements, such as finding work or investing in one of the emirates.

Who can apply for a UAE residence visa?

To be eligible for a UAE Residence Visa, you must fall into one of the following categories:

  • Individuals working in the UAE, under a governmental office, or in a private company.
  • People who made an investment in the UAE
  • Persons who are the dependent of a UAE citizen or foreign resident (parent, child, maid, or a close relative)
  • Students pursuing education in a UAE educational institution
  • Individuals who have purchased a property in the UAE
  • People who retire in the UAE

UAE Residence Visa Types

The kinds of UAE residence visas are classified according to the purpose of your trip. As a result, there are:

  • UAE Work Visa, given to foreigners who have found work in the UAE and secured a Work Permit.
  • UAE Student Visa, which is granted to foreign nationals admitted into a UAE educational institution.
  • UAE Family Visa, which is granted to close relatives of UAE citizens or foreign residents.
  • The UAE Retirement Visa is granted to older foreigners who wish to retire in the UAE and have the appropriate financial resources.
  • The UAE Investment Visa (long-term residence) is granted to foreign nationals who make a significant investment in the UAE. This visa is valid for a longer period of time than other types of residence visas (up to ten years)
  • Work Remotely from Dubai program, which is available to prospective freelancers who want to work remotely in Dubai.

What are the criteria for obtaining a UAE residence visa?

You must have various supporting documents while applying for a UAE Residence Visa, including:

  • The UAE Visa Application Form, which can be purchased online or in a typing center.
  • Your original passport
  • Your visa for entry
  • Two passport-size photographs, in accordance with UAE visa photo
    requirements
  • Proof of your sponsor’s lawful residency/citizenship in the UAE
  • Evidence that you have passed a medical fitness test*
  • Include documentation of family links, such as birth/marriage certificates, when applying for family visas.
  • Evidence of UAE health insurance coverage
  • When applying for a work visa, your sponsor must include a work contract as well as copies of the company’s legitimate trade license and firm card.
  • Any more documentation connected to your travel objective. More information is available on:
    • UAE Work Visa
    • UAE Family Visa
    • UAE Student Visa
    • UAE Investment Visa
    • UAE Retirement Visa
  • All foreign nationals who wish to live in the UAE on a Residence Visa should pass a medical exam proving their fitness.

Application for a UAE Resident Visa

You must apply for a Residence Visa once you have arrived in the UAE, which means you must first come with entry permission. Furthermore, like with the entry permit, you cannot apply for your own resident visa: you must have a sponsor, such as your employer, spouse, or others, apply on your behalf.

Who is eligible to apply for my UAE residence visa?

A Residence Visa can only be obtained through a sponsor. In some situations, though, you may be your own sponsor.

The difference between an entry permit and a residence visa in the UAE

The difference between an Entry Permit and a Residence Visa for the UAE is as the name implies:

The Entry Permit permits the holder to enter the UAE for a limited period of time (usually up to three months). Entry permits are provided based on the reason for your visit. A UAE Tourist Visa, for example, is an entry permission for tourism purposes.

Before you can enter the UAE, your sponsor must apply for your entry permit. Your sponsor can apply for your resident visa once you are in the country on an entry permit.

Furthermore, some nationalities do not require or can obtain an entry permit upon arrival.

Basically, if you do not need to obtain a UAE Tourist Visa, you do not need to obtain entry permission because the two are nearly identical.

The Residence Visa entitles the holder to long-term residency in the UAE. After you enter the country, your sponsor must apply to the applicable visa-issuing authorities for your resident visa, as mentioned above.

How long can one stay in the UAE with a residence visa?

The duration of your UAE Residence Visa is determined by the purpose of your trip: they are issued for one, two, or three years and can be renewed.
Investment or retirement visas, on the other hand, are issued for 5-10 years and are renewable.

Obtaining a UAE Residence Visa Renewal Prior to Expiration

Your sponsor must renew your Residence Visa within 30 days of its expiration date.

However, if you are within the UAE residence visa expiry grace period, your sponsor may renew your visa after it has expired.

The procedure for renewing your UAE residence visa is the same as it was when you first received it: your sponsor must apply at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners

Affairs in the relevant emirate.

What is the grace period for the UAE Residence Visa?

The UAE authorities provide expats with a 30-day grace period beginning when their visa expires. This signifies that even if your visa has expired, you can stay for another 30 days; but, if you do not obtain a visa renewal by that time, you must leave the country and re-enter
using an entry permit.

If you overstay, you will be fined for each day you have overstayed.

Overstay fee for UAE Residence Visa

Overstaying your UAE Residence Visa will result in the following fees:

  • AED 25 per day for the first six months (180 days)
  • AED 50 per day for the second six months (180 days)
  • AED 100 per day beyond one year

Visa renewal in the UAE for divorced women and widows

As of October 2018, the UAE government approved a new immigration law that allows widows and divorced women of UAE residents to stay in the nation for a year without a sponsor, beginning with the death or divorce of their spouses. The new rule also applies to the women’s children, if any.

To be eligible, the women and/or children must have been in the country on the husband’s visa at the time of his death or divorce, and their visas must still be valid at the time of application. They may apply to the GDRFA by presenting the following documents:

  • Evidence of death or divorce (as applicable)
  • Proof of residence
  • Proof of the woman’s ability to support herself financially
  • The Emirates ID Card
  • Medical fitness certifications

This kind of visa can only be extended once.

How can I obtain a Dubai Resident Visa?

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a result, obtaining a Dubai Residence Visa is the same as for any other emirate in the UAE (as explained above).

You must have a sponsor in Dubai (or invest/purchase real estate there). Then, your sponsor must apply for your entry permit and resident visa at one of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or an Amer center in Dubai.

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