UAE VISA REQUIREMENTS – SHORT GUIDE
WHAT IS A UAE RESIDENCE VISA?
The UAE residence visa is a permit that allows foreign people to live in the country for a long period of time. The visa can be valid for two to three or even 10 years and may be renewed as many times as a person needs. Many international families have lived in the Emirates for generations, just by continuing to regularly renew their visas.
UAE permanent residency does not exist as such. Being a UAE permanent resident simply means having a visa stamp in your passport and constantly living in the country.
HOW DOES ONE GET UAE RESIDENCY?
- setting up a business in the UAE
- being employed
- obtaining a freelance permit in Dubai or other Emirates
- enrolling in a college or university in Dubai or other Emirates
- purchasing a property with a value of over AED 1 million in Dubai or other Emirates
Opening a business is one of the fastest ways of getting a visa. Business setup in UAE free zones is one of the more preferred options due to 100% ownership, affordable fees and the transparent process.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF GETTING UAE RESIDENCY?
The following is the process of getting UAE residency as a business owner:
- registration of a company
- getting an establishment card (a company immigration document that allows the initiating of visa applications)
- obtaining an entry permit (a prerequisite of getting a resident visa, which is done at its initial stage)
- completing an Emirates ID application and passing medical tests
- stamping the visa into the passport
Normally, it is not mandatory for applicants to be inside the UAE during the company incorporation, establishment card and issuing of the entry visa.
The personal presence of the applicant within the UAE is required at the stage of the medical check, completing the Emirates ID application and visa stamping. The applicant’s passport will be taken to the immigration office for visa stamping, and the applicant will not be able to leave the UAE until the process is completed.
Overall, visa stamping, including medicals and ID, takes five working days.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The cost of a UAE residence visa differs depending on the place of business registration. As for the Dubai residence visa cost, it will be higher due to the increased prices for business registration and other fees whereas obtaining a visa from the northern emirates (Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah) may seem more cost efficient.
HOW DOES ONE MAINTAIN THE VISA?
If you are a person maintaining UAE permanent residency, you won’t have any issues with keeping your visa valid.
If you are a frequent traveller or do not live in the UAE, you must make sure that you enter the UAE one time every six months in order to maintain the visa. In you fail to do this, the visa will be cancelled automatically, and you will have to go through the process of getting a new one from the start.
For any assistance or guidance you may need related to Immigration please contact us at info@in-business.com
