The UAE government issues different types of visas in UAE and entry permits depending on the circumstances of your visit. A variety of visas are being offered in order to attract expatriates who will shape the nation’s economy and future. Let’s take a look at the various types of visas available in the UAE:
All of these options are available through the UAE’s visa and entry permit system, as well as long-term residency visas for special categories and visas for investors and entrepreneurs.
Here are all of your visa options, whether you are planning a vacation, looking for a job to live in the UAE, or want to start a business.
Visiting the UAE
Before you travel to the UAE, you are supposed to apply for a visit visa for entering the country. But there are some nationalities holders who can get a visa on arrival. But if you are not eligible for a visa on arrival, here are visas options you can apply for:
1. Transit visa – for 48 or 96 hours
If you have a short layover in the UAE, you can apply for a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa. You could obtain the visa from the UAE-based airline or a travel agency.
However, transit visas are neither extendable or renewable, and you must depart the UAE within 48 or 96 hours after entry.
2. Tourist visa – 30-day or 90-day
It depends on how long you intend to spend your vacation in the UAE, a 30-day or 90-day tourist visa with single or multiple entries might be given. A tourist visa can be obtained by contacting:
- An airline
- Travel agencies or hotels
- Family or friends who can sponsor the tourist visa
- The online platforms of immigration authorities in the UAE – Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP), or General Directorate of Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai
3. 5-years multiple entry visa
If you visit the UAE frequently for work or have family and friends here, getting a long-term multiple-entry visa is a convenient way to visit without having to apply for a new entrance permit each time.
You can apply for a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa via the ICP’s official website, icp.gov.ae.
According to the ICP website, a visitor with this visa can stay for up to 90 days per visit. This can be extended for an additional 90 days.
The provision of a bank statement for the previous six months with a balance of at least $4,000 (Dh14,700) or its equivalent in foreign currencies is one of the key requirements of the five-year multiple entry visa.
4. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) resident’s e-visa
Residents of GCC countries and their family members are eligible for this visa. Apply for a GCC e-visa online through the ICP or GDRFA websites. If you seek for a visa, you must ensure that your GCC resident visa and passport are valid for at least three months from the date of arrival.
The admission permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue, and you have 30 days from the day of entry to stay.
5. Job seeker visa
The new job seeker visa, which will go into effect on October 3, 2022, will allow anyone to come to the UAE to explore work, investment, and business opportunities without the need for a sponsor or host.
You must meet the following requirements to apply for the visa:
- Those defined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation as having the first, second, or third skill level (MOHRE).
- Fresh graduates of the world’s top 500 universities
- The applicant’s minimum educational level should be a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
Residency Visa in UAE
Foreigners 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:
1. You have the option of opening a bank account.
2. You can obtain a bank loan (personal or car loan)
3. You have visa-free travel to a number of countries.
4. Your children can attend either public or private schools.
5. You can obtain your driver’s license.
6. You can get government health care and health insurance.
7. You can sponsor your family and domestic helper.
1. Employment Visa
If you want to work and live in the UAE, you must first obtain an offer letter from a UAE-based company. After you have accepted and signed the offer letter, the employer will first grant you an entry permit that will allow you to travel to the UAE.
When you arrive in the UAE, your company will start the visa application procedure. This includes entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, visa stamping.
It is also vital to know that the UAE Labour Law requires the employer to fund all recruitment and visa-related expenditures.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to applying for a UAE residency visa.
2. Residence Visa Sponsored by Family
If you want to bring your family, spouse, or children to the UAE, you can sponsor their residency visa if you work in the UAE, are an investor or business owner in the UAE, or own property in the UAE.
3. UAE Golden Visa
If you are seeking long-term residency possibilities in the UAE, the UAE government has enlarged the categories eligible for long-term visas, which will be valid until April 2022.
The Golden Visa permits qualifying people to stay in the UAE for a period of ten years and to sponsor family members such as spouses, children, and domestic helpers/workers for the same period.
The following categories are eligible for the visa:
Exceptional talents in the following areas:
- Culture and art
- Investors and innovators
- Sports
- Digital technology
- Other vital fields
Scientists and professionals
- Scientists
- CEO and top officials
- Professionals in the field of Science
- Professionals in the field of Engineering
- Health professionals
- Education professionals
- Professionals in the field of Business and Administration
- Information technology professionals
- Legal, social and cultural professionals
Outstanding students and graduates
- Top secondary school students
- Top graduates from UAE institutions
- Graduates from the world’s top 100 universities
Humanitarian pioneers
- Distinguished members of international and regional organizations
- Outstanding members of public benefits associations
- Recipients of humanitarian recognition awards
- Distinguished volunteers and sponsors of humanitarian operations
Frontline heroes
Frontline employees who go above and beyond in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 outbreak, can now apply for the Golden visa under new UAE government criteria.
If you fall into one of the qualified groups and want to apply for the Golden Visa, read our guide here, which will walk you through the full process.
4. Green Visa
The green visa is a five-year resident permit that does not require a sponsor in the UAE. Also, the Green Visa allows you to sponsor first-degree relatives and provides a six-month grace period following visa cancellation or expiration.
The Green Visa will go into force on October 3, and the following groups are eligible to apply:
For Freelancers (self-employment)
- Obtain a freelance/self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
- A bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma is the minimum educational level.
- Annual self-employment revenue for the past two years must be greater than Dh360,000, or the applicant must demonstrate financial soundness throughout his or her stay in the nation.
Skilled employees
- Applicants must have a current job contract.
- According to MOHRE, they should be categorized as first, second, or third occupational level.
- Must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required as the minimum educational level.
- Salary should be at least AED 15,000.
Investors and partners
In order to stimulate investment, the Green residence has been introduced for investors or partners. It grants investors 5 years of residency if they develop or participate in business enterprises. Furthermore, the validity period for Green visa has been extended from two to five years.
The prerequisites are as follows:
- Approval of the investment and proof of investment of 1 million AED.
- The total invested capital will be determined if the investor (partner) holds more than one license.
- The approval of the appropriate municipal authorities is required.
5. Students Visa
Because of its huge number of international universities, diversified student body, and safe environment for students, the UAE has been an appealing location for higher education in recent years.
Although the application is processed and issued by the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in each Emirate, the university sponsors the student visa in the UAE.
The duration of a student visa is one year. To renew the visa, the student must produce certified confirmation of continued studies from his or her university.
6. Retirement visa
the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)issue the retirement visa is and valid exclusively in Dubai. Other Emirates have not yet introduced a retirement visa.
The retirement visa is valid for five years, and applicants must be at least 55 years old.
Investors in the UAE
1. Investor Visa for company shareholder
If you intend to start a business or if you are a shareholder in a company. You can then apply for a standard investor visa. The validity of a investor visa is two years.
2. Golden Visa for Real Estate Investors
Individuals who invest in real estate in the UAE can also apply for the Golden Visa, but they must meet one of the following requirements:
- Real estate investors can obtain a Golden Visa when purchasing a property worth at least Dh2 million.
- Investors can also obtain a Golden Visa when purchasing a property with a loan from one of the approved local banks.
- The investors can also obtain a Golden Visa when purchasing one or more off-plan properties worth no less than Dh2 million from one of the approved local real estate companies.
3. Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs
If you are an entrepreneur looking to establish a firm or invest in a start-up in the UAE, you can apply for a Golden Visa if you match one of the following criteria:
• An entrepreneur must own or be a partner in a start-up registered in the UAE in the category of small and medium enterprises (SME), with annual revenues of at least Dh1 million; and obtain approval for a start-up idea from an official business incubator (an organization that assists start-ups or entrepreneurs in developing their businesses), the Ministry of Economy, or the competent local authorities.
• If the individual is a founder or one of the founders of a previous project that was sold for at least Dh7 million. Projects or proposals must be approved by the Ministry of Economy or the appropriate municipal authorities.
