How To Get Residence Visa For Dubai
With the fast-growing economy, more and more people start to move to the city. If you are planning a vacation or starting up a business in Dubai, you should find out how to get residence visa for Dubai. This article will give you some useful tips and help you acquire your residence visa with relative ease.
Are you a student thinking of moving to Dubai? Or are you looking for a job there? It’s certainly an attractive country, with great weather, beaches and shopping. It’s important to know whether you can get UAE residence visa if you’re just going for a holiday or on business.
Are you looking for a job in Dubai? Are you thinking of applying for the residence visa? Do you know where to find jobs and how do you check if you can apply for residence visa?
If you do not have a residence visa, the government may deport you from Dubai. The first thing that a person needs to realize is that he or she can either get a visa on arrival or get it prior to reaching Dubai. However, the latter option is always preferable. There are several types of visas in UAE and you must ensure that you are in possession of the right kind of visa. When you apply for Dubai visa as a tourist, you will be issued an entry permit.
How To Get Residence Visa For Dubai
Foreigners who want to live and work in the United Arab Emirates long-term need a UAE Residence Visa. A residence visa for the UAE offers the holder a lot of benefits, including:
- You can open a bank account
- You can get a bank loan (personal or car loan)
- You have visa-free access to several countries
- Your children can attend government or private schools
- You can get a driver’s license
- You have access to government health services and health insurance
However, to be able to get a Residence Visa for the UAE, you must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as finding a job or investing in one of the emirates.
Who is eligible for a UAE Residence Visa?
To qualify for a UAE Residence Visa, you have to fall under one of the following categories:
- You will work in the UAE, under a governmental office or in a private company.
- You will study in a UAE educational institution
- You are the dependent of a UAE citizen or foreign resident (child, parent, maid, or a close relative)
- You have made an investment in the UAE
- You have purchased property in the UAE
- You will retire in the UAE
Types of UAE Residence Visas
The types of UAE Residence Visas are divided depending on the purpose of your travel. As such, there is the:
- UAE Work Visa, which is issued to foreigners who have found employment in the UAE and obtained a Work Permit.
- UAE Student Visa, which is issued for foreign nationals who have been accepted into a UAE educational institution
- UAE Family Visa, which is issued to the close family members of UAE citizens or foreign residents
- UAE Investment Visa (long-term residence), which is issued to foreign nationals who make a substantial investment in the UAE. This type of visa is issued for a longer duration than other types of residence visas (up to ten years)
- UAE Retirement Visa, which is issued to elderly foreigners who want to retire in the UAE and have the necessary financial means to do so.
What are the requirements for a UAE Residence Visa?
When applying for a UAE Residence Visa, you must have several supporting documents, such as:
- The UAE Visa Application Form, obtained online or through the relevant typing center
- Your original passport
- Two passport-size pictures, in line with UAE visa photo requirements
- Your entry visa
- Proof of your sponsor’s legal residency / UAE citizenship
- Proof you have passed a medical fitness test*
- Proof of UAE health insurance plan
- For family visas, include proof of family ties, such as birth/marriage certificates
- For a work visa, your sponsor must include the work contract and copies of the company’s valid trade licence and valid firm card
- Any additional documents related to your purpose of travel. For more, see:
- UAE Work Visa
- UAE Family Visa
- UAE Student Visa
- UAE Investment Visa
- UAE Retirement Visa
*All foreign nationals who want to live in the UAE on a Residence Visa have to pass a medical exam proving their fitness.
UAE Residence Visa application
You have to apply for a Residence Visa once you’re already in the UAE, meaning you have to enter with an entry permit first. Additionally, just as with the entry permit, in most cases, you cannot apply for your own residence visa: you need a sponsor to apply on your behalf, such as your employer, spouse, etc.
Who can apply for my UAE Residence Visa?
You can only apply for a Residence Visa through a sponsor. However, in certain cases, you may be your own sponsor.
- For a UAE Work Visa, your employer is your sponsor
- For a UAE Student Visa, your school is your sponsor
- For a UAE Family Visa, your family member is your sponsor
- If you are an investor or buy property in the UAE, you can apply yourself and your company/property serves as sponsorship
Having a residence visa in Dubai is a dream come true. Whether you are a family that wants to migrate here or an enterprising professional relocating for the sake of better career, having the right papers and documents means everything.
Figuring out the visa requirements and process for the United Arab Emirates isn’t always easy. However, with the right help, and some general guidelines, your chances of getting approved are greater than you at first thought. Of course, there is no guarantee that your visa application will be granted — but it’s worth a try in order to live, work, and study in one of the wealthiest places in the world. If you are interested in one or more of these benefits then a UAE residence visa could benefit you in more ways than one.