Obtaining a UAE residence visa. Service offer

The United Arab Emirates is a federate state located on the Arabian Peninsula and consisting of 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm al Quwain, Fujairah, and Sharjah.

A fast-growing economy, business-friendly environment, developed infrastructure, high standard of living, no tax on personal income, multicultural and safe environment – these are the reasons why the UAE attracts investors and highly qualified specialists from around the world.

A residence visa enables:

1. to do business or to work in the country (depending on the category of visa);
2. to become a tax resident (subject to additional conditions);
3. to open a bank account;
4. to rent property under an official contract;
5. to connect mobile services;
6. to obtain a driving licence.

The UAE does not have such a concept as a residence permit. The country’s migration rules require the issuance of residence visas, which in practice are similar to a residence permit.

The main ways to obtain a residence visa are:

• based on owning a UAE onshore company - investor visa;
• by making an employment contract with a UAE onshore company - work visa;
• by investing in UAE real estate (including a “golden” visa).

In most cases, the best solution for obtaining a residence visa is registering an onshore company.

• requirements for the company:

1. the company must be an onshore one (an offshore company does not give the right to obtain residence visas) [The best option is to register a company in one of the UAE free zones.];
2. the company must have its own or rented office space;
3. the company will need to be renewed every year.

• regardless of where the company is registered and where the residence visa is issued, one may live in any emirate, therefore it is possible to choose a free zone for registering a company based on the total costs, the prestige of the emirate, etc.;
• obtaining a residence visa (including company registration) takes about 4-5 weeks, depending on the free zone;
• it is also possible to obtain residence work visas for company employees (the number of visas depends on the selected business package);
• work visas may have additional requirements such as: appropriate qualification of the applicant, making a refundable security deposit equal to a monthly salary / average cost of a return ticket, having health insurance, etc. (requirements vary depending on the free zone);
• both an investor visa and a work visa are normally issued for 2 years (3-year residence visas used to be available); after expiry, a visa can be renewed;
• both an investor visa and a work visa allow to apply for a sponsored residence visa for family members, which will require confirmation of having own or rented residential real estate in the UAE.

The holder of a residence visa can sponsor his family members applying for residence visas (dependent visa):

• sons under the age of 18;
• sons aged from 18 to 25;
• unmarried daughters;

Normally, it is a man who acts as sponsor.

The sponsor must prove the availability of accommodation by providing a tenancy agreement or a title deed, as well as a utility bill.

If the sponsor holds a work visa, they need to submit a salary certificate and employment contract. Sponsor’s minimum salary requirements vary by emirate.

Sponsored residence visas will require health insurance policies for all family members and a security deposit for parents.

Getting a residence visa for a family member takes 5 - 7 working days, on average.

A visa application can be submitted immediately after the registration of a company.

The application process includes the following steps:

1. Opening an Establishment Card – 3 - 5 days.

This document is necessary for the company to be able to apply for residence visas in the future.

2. Submitting documents for a residence visa and obtaining an Entry Permit (permission to enter the country) – 5 - 7 days.

To obtain a residence visa, an individual must enter the UAE with an Entry Permit. Once the Entry Permit is received (it is sent by email), one can plan a trip to the UAE. An Entry Permit is valid for 60 days.

If at the time of issuing of Entry Permit the applicant is already in the UAE, then in order to complete the issuance of a residence visa without leaving and re-entering the country, it is necessary to change the status of the visa. The service of changing the status of a visa is provided upon request and is subject to additional charges.

3. Visiting the UAE to obtain a residence visa – in most cases, a visa can be obtained within 5 working days.

The applicant needs to:

• undergo a medical examination (blood test and chest X-ray);
• submit biometrics (retina and fingerprints scan).

After receiving a passport with a residence visa inserted into it, one can leave the country.

4. Obtaining a resident’s ID-card – ID Emirates.

The card is issued a few days after the issuance of a visa. Personal presence is not required to receive it. It can be handed over later.

The applicant will need the following for their visa application:

• international passport;
• 3,5 x 4,5 photos in colour against a white background;
• Entry Permit stamped upon arrival in the UAE.

A work visa application may require additional documents, such as an employment contract and a certified copy of the employee’s diploma. Some types of activities and positions may require confirmation of the applicant’s appropriate qualification. Requirements may vary depending on the free zone.

Some free zones do not have the concept of an investor visa. They issue work visas only.

UAE real estate owners are eligible for 2 kinds of residence visas:

1. 2-year

To keep such visa valid, it is necessary to enter the UAE at least once every 6 months (not to be absent from the country for more than 6 months).

2. 10-year

The requirement to visit the UAE every six months does not apply to golden visa holders.

In the event of termination of the basis on which the visa was issued (for example, in the event of company liquidation, the investor ceasing to be a shareholder, or termination of the employee’s employment contract with the company), the residence visa must be cancelled.

* In the case of applying for or renewing 2 or more visas, please ask a GSL consultant for a fee quote.

**The fees are valid at July 2024. Invoices will include 5% VAT on the services rendered.