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Obtaining a UAE residence visa. Service offer

Major advantages of a residence visa. Procedure for obtaining a residence visa based on owning or being employed by an onshore company. Residence visa by investment in real estate. Cancellation of a residence visa. Fees for obtaining a residence visa.

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.

Major advantages of a residence visa

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.

Fees for obtaining a residence visa

Services
Fees (USD)
Obtaining a residence visa
(cost of one visa – investor visa), including:
· payment of all government fees;
· preparing necessary documentation;
· accompanying the applicant;
· transport expenses (trip to a medical clinic and migration authority)
4 200

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).
Important: To maintain a residence visa, one needs to enter the country at least once every 6 months. This requirement does not apply to “golden” visa holders.

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

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):

spouse;

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

parents.

Normally, it is a man who acts as sponsor.

A woman’s ability to sponsor visas for family members is limited: there may be requirements for the profession or higher salary requirements than for men.

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.

Visa application requirements for family members may vary depending on the category of visa of the sponsoring holder.

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

For information on registering an onshore company, please contact GSL consultants.

Procedure for obtaining a residence visa based on owning or being employed by an onshore company

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.

For detailed advice on the procedure, documents and calculation of the total cost of obtaining residence visas, please contact a GSL consultant.

Residence visa by investment in real estate

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.

For detailed advice on the requirements for the property, procedure, documents and calculation of the total cost of obtaining residence visas, please contact a GSL consultant.

Cancellation of a residence visa

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.

Important: A visa will automatically become invalid if the visa holder is away from the country for more than 6 months. However, it is recommended to apply for visa cancellation anyway to avoid being denied a UAE visa in the future.

Fees*

Services
Fees (USD)
Obtaining a residence visa at the company registration
(cost of one visa – investor visa*), including:
· payment of all government fees (Entry Permit, Medical Fitness Report & Emirates ID, Visa Stamping on the Passport);
· preparing, executing and agreeing the necessary documentation with the migration authorities;
· accompanying the applicant to a medical clinic for medical examination;
· accompanying the applicant to the Federal Migration Service for fingerprints scan and biometrics;
· submitting documents to the migration authority for issuing and stamping a visa;
· filing an application for and obtaining a resident’s card;
· selecting an insurance company for getting health insurance (if necessary);
· transport expenses
4 200
Obtaining a residence visa for the investor’s family member, including:
· payment of all government fees related to the visa and ID card;
· preparing, executing and agreeing the necessary documentation with the authorities;
· accompanying the applicant to a medical clinic for medical examination;
· accompanying the applicant to the Federal Migration Service for biometrics;
· submitting documents to the migration authority for issuing a visa;
· filing an application for and obtaining a resident’s card;
· selecting an insurance company for getting health insurance.
Note: the following expenses are payable by the applicant additionally:
· cost of health insurance;
· translation and consular legalization of documents that prove the relationship
2 900
Renewal of a residence visa
(cost of one visa – investor visa**)
Renewal of a residence visa (investor visa is issued for 2 years) requires taking the same actions and paying the same fees as upon initial application
4 200
Renewal of a residence visa for the investor’s family member
(cost of one visa**)
2 900
Obtaining an investor residence visa by investment in real estate worth more than AED 750 000, including:
· payment of all government fees related to the visa and ID card;
· preparing, executing and agreeing the necessary documentation with the authorities;
· accompanying the applicant to the Police Department and the Dubai Land Department for submitting an application;
· accompanying the applicant to a medical clinic for medical examination;
· accompanying the applicant to the Federal Migration Service for biometrics;
· submitting documents for processing;
· filing an application for and obtaining a resident’s card;
· selecting an insurance company for getting health insurance.
Note: the cost of health insurance is payable by the applicant additionally
5 400
Obtaining a residence visa for the investor’s family member (except a residence visa for a parent), including:
· payment of all government fees related to the visa and ID card;
· preparing, executing and agreeing the necessary documentation with the authorities;
· accompanying the applicant to a medical clinic for medical examination;
· accompanying the applicant to the Federal Migration Service for biometrics;
· submitting documents to the migration authority for issuing a visa;
· filing an application for and obtaining a resident’s card;
· selecting an insurance company for getting health insurance.
Note: the following expenses are payable by the applicant additionally:
· cost of health insurance;
· translation and consular legalization of documents that prove the relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificates), Non-Objection Certificates
4 500
Obtaining a residence visa for the investor’s parent, including:
· payment of all government fees related to the visa and ID card;
· preparing, executing and agreeing the necessary documentation with the authorities;
· accompanying the applicant to a medical clinic for medical examination;
· accompanying the applicant to the Federal Migration Service for biometrics;
· submitting documents to the migration authority for issuing a visa;
· filing an application for and obtaining a resident’s card;
· selecting an insurance company for getting health insurance.
Note: the following expenses are payable by the applicant additionally:
· cost of health insurance;
· translation and consular legalization of documents that prove the relationship
4 800
Obtaining an investor golden residence visa
(a visa by investment in real estate), including:
· payment of all government fees related to the visa and ID card;
· preparing, executing and agreeing the necessary documentation with the authorities;
· accompanying the applicant to the Dubai Land Department for submitting an application;
· accompanying the applicant to a medical clinic for medical examination;
· accompanying the applicant to the Federal Migration Service for biometrics;
· submitting documents for issuing and stamping a visa;
· filing an application for and obtaining a resident’s card;
· selecting an insurance company for getting health insurance.
Note: the cost of health insurance is payable by the applicant additionally
5 900
Obtaining a residence visa for the investor’s family member (except a residence visa for a parent), including:
· payment of all government fees related to the visa and ID card;
· preparing, executing and agreeing the necessary documentation with the authorities;
· accompanying the applicant to a medical clinic for medical examination;
· accompanying the applicant to the Federal Migration Service for biometrics;
· submitting documents to the migration authority for issuing and stamping a visa;
· filing an application for and obtaining a resident’s card;
· selecting an insurance company for getting health insurance.
Note: the following expenses are payable by the applicant additionally:
· cost of health insurance;
· translation and consular legalization of documents that prove the relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificates), Non-Objection Certificates
3 600
Obtaining a residence visa for the investor’s parent, including:
· payment of all government fees related to the visa and ID card;
· preparing, executing and agreeing the necessary documentation with the authorities;
· accompanying the applicant to a medical clinic for medical examination;
· accompanying the applicant to the Federal Migration Service for biometrics;
· submitting documents to the migration authority for issuing and stamping a visa;
· filing an application for and obtaining a resident’s card;
· selecting an insurance company for getting health insurance.
Note: the following expenses are payable by the applicant additionally:
· cost of health insurance;
· translation and consular legalization of documents that prove the relationship
4 500
Cancellation of a residence visa
The visa cancellation cost depends on the visa category and location of the applicant (in or outside the UAE).
Please ask a GSL consultant for a fee quote

* 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 December 2023. Invoices will include 5% VAT on the services rendered.

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