All about visas in the UAE : UAE Visa : UAE issues many kinds of visas for those who are interested in coming there. For work or vacation, several options are available. Let’s discuss the most popular one here.

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The Right Visa For You

UAE Permanent Residency Scheme

This scheme has been introduced for non-UAE residents who are looking for a long-term investment visa in UAE. This is an interim visa, valid for a period of six months and permits multiple entry. This visa allows foreigners to live, study and work in UAE without a national sponsor. Additionally, it allows 100 percent ownership of their business venture in UAE mainland. Issued for 5 to 10 years , these visas are renewed automatically.
Those who are currently residing in UAE can also transfer their existing residency permit to investor visa, providing relevant conditions are fulfilled.

As per cabinet Decree No (56) of 2016, talented students, experts and investors are eligible to get the benefit of interim visa. This is so as to enable them to, “identify opportunities in their field and make appropriate decisions for them and their families.”

According to authorities, UAE government has activated three new services on their website.

An interim visa, valid for 6-months with multiple entry to complete procedures related to residency for an investor.
A 6-month visa with multiple entry for entrepreneurs and outstanding students to complete the procedures for long term residency permit
A single-entry visa, valid for 6 months for individuals so as to enable them to complete the process related to residency.

Gold Card

Eligible investors, entrepreneurs, professional talents, researchers and outstanding students from the fields of science and knowledge will be granted the Gold Card. The advantage for Gold Card visa holders is that they can be out of the country for longer than six months continuously.
The Gold Card will make UAE more competitive globally and securely establish the country’s position as a global incubator. This new initiative is aimed at generating more foreign investment. It is expected to energise the local economy, making it more productive and attractive for investors.

How to apply: Individuals based in UAE can apply for Gold Card at the immigration office or accredited offices. individuals not based in UAE can obtain the forms from ica.gov.ae

Long-term residence visas

10-year visa without sponsor

Only the categories given below can apply for a 10-year residence visa without sponsor in the UAE:

Public investments of minimum Dh10 million

The investment can be of different types such as:

Setting up a company in the UAE with a capital of not less than Dh10 million. Or partnering with an existing or a new company where you have a share value of not less than Dh10 million. Your investment can also be in the form of a deposit in an investment fund inside the country that amounts to at least Dh10 million –
Alternatively, having a total combined investment of not less than Dh10 million in all areas mentioned above. Here there is a condition that the investment in sectors other than real estate should not be less than 60 per cent of the total investment.

Granting of a visa will be subject to meeting the following conditions:

The invested amount must not be from a loan. Also, the investment has to be held for at least three years.
Financial solvency of up to Dh10 million is therefore essential.

Providing each partner contributes Dh10 million, the Visa can be extended to include business partners as well
The long-term visa covers the children, spouse as well as one executive director and one advisor
Overseas investors can apply for a multiple-entry permit for a six-month period.

Persons with specialised talents

This category includes researchers and specialised talents in the fields of science and knowledge, for example, doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors. It also includes creative individuals from the field of art and culture. All those listed in these categories must have a valid employment contract in a specialised field of priority in the UAE. The spouse and children are also entitled to the avail the visa benefits.

The following conditions have to be met to be granted this visa:

Accreditation by Emirates Scientists Council is required for Scientists. Otherwise, they must be holders of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence. For Creative Individuals in Culture and Art to be granted this visa, they must be accredited by Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.

This visa is also applicable to Inventors with a patent of value, which enhances economy of UAE. The patents have to get an approval from the Ministry of Economy.

Exceptional talents must be evidenced by patents or a scientific research published in a world-class journal

Executives who are owners of leading and internationally recognised companies or having high academic achievement and position are also eligible.

Doctors and specialists

The applicable conditions for Specialists and Doctors are that they should have
A specialisation in areas of priority to the UAE.
A PhD degree from any of the top 500 universities in the world (Check ICA for details)
Received some award or certificates of appreciation in their field of work, made some contribution to a major scientific research in the respective field of work
Published articles or scientific books in distinguished publications in the relevant field of work
10-year professional experience in their field plus Membership in an organisation related to the field of their specialization

5-year visa without sponsor

Eligibility conditions for a 5-year visa without a sponsor
Categories entitled to apply for a 5-year residence visa in the UAE are

Investors

Investors will be granted visa subject to fulfilling the conditions below:

The gross value of property invested in must not be less than Dh 5 million.
The real estate investment amount must not be on loan basis.
The property must be held for a minimum of three years.

Entrepreneurs

Those entrepreneurs who have an existing project with a minimum capital of Dh 500,000, or have got the approval of an accredited business incubator in the country, qualify for visa under this category
This is a multi-entry visa is valid for six months and renewable for another six months.
The long-term visa covers children, spouse, a partner and 3 executives.

Outstanding Students

This visa can also be applied for by

Students with a minimum score of 95 per cent in public or private secondary school.
University students from within UAE or from outside the country having completed graduation with distinction GPA of at least 3.75.

Different Types of Visa

Employment visa

Employment visa is also called as a work permit. This visa is needed by any person wanting to work in the UAE. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issues this visa. The employment visa is valid for two months from the date it was issued. With effect from late February, residents of UAE ,who are changing jobs in the UAE, will not be needing a good conduct certificate for the visa if they are in the country.

Residence visa

After getting an employment visa comes residence visa. This visa is like an upgrade over the employment visa. The procedure to obtain this, involves getting a medical test done and applying for the Emirates ID. The UAE Resident Identity Card validates that the person it belongs to is a valid UAE resident. When the entire process is completed, a resident visa holder can sponsor their family members and bring them into UAE too.

Tourist visa

A tourist visa is for travellers whose purpose of visit to the UAE is just tourism. The tourist visa allows the visa-holder to remain in the UAE for 30 days. You can get one via sponsorship by tour operators, hotel or any UAE airline. Every UAE airline provides visa services option if you are flying with them. Travel agents and hotels can also help you with the tourist visa.

Visit visa

This visa is for those who have a friend or relative staying in the UAE, who can sponsor their visit visa. The visit visa can be applied by the sponsor at any GDRFA office across the emirate and it can take a few days to be issued. The sponsor should send a copy of the permit through fax or email after the visa is issued. It is essential to receive a copy of the entry permit before leaving for UAE. The original permit is handed over by the sponsor at the airport and can be collected by the visitor on arrival.

Transit visa

People with a connecting flight or long stopover can use the transit visa. If the stopover exceeds 8 hours UAE airlines can also issue transit visas. It is imperative that passengers holding transit visas must depart the country within 96 hours of reaching UAE. If the transit time is shorter transit time, there is a new opportunity to look forward to. Dubai Airports has recently indicated that transit passengers may soon be able to explore the city as part of the Dubai 10X proposal.