The United Arab Emirates has a population of around 10 million people, out of which over 88% are immigrants and expats residing and working there. That is because UAE is economically prosperous and people from all around the globe particularly Asia come to UAE in search of work every year.
Even back when oil was the main export and source of income for UAE, having a large expat population was necessary for the running of its economy and now that the country is diversifying economically, it is even more crucial to have a large skilled and qualified population.
To achieve this goal, the UAE government has an extensive residency visa program for people to come to the country in search of work, education, and even retirement. If you are one of these people and looking for a guide on how to get your UAE residency Visa, this guide is for you.
What is a Residency Visa in UAE?
A residency visa is a legal document that allows foreigners to come and reside in the UAE for a long period of time, so they can legally work, open their own business, get an education, retire in the country, or even join their family members who are working and living in UAE.
Types of Residency Visa UAE
There are several different types of residency visas, depending on the context you are coming to UAE. Here are the main types of visas.
Employment Visa
This is the most common type of residency visa issued to foreigners in the UAE. To get the employment visa the person needs to apply for a job in UAE and get hired by a company or business there. The employer then acts as a sponsor and gets the person an employment visa, generally for 2 to 3-year validity.
Investor Visa
In order to get more foreign investment in the country, the UAE government issues investor visas to people who make a substantial investment, usually AED 1 million or more. This investment can be in the real estate sector or other ventures and this visa is issued for 3 to 5 years at a time.
Entrepreneur Visa
This visa is issued to entrepreneurs who want to start their businesses in the UAE. To get this visa you need to start a business in the UAE worth AED 500,000 or more and the visa issued is valid for 3 to 5 years with the option to renew it again, and you also require permission from the incubation authority etc.
Family Visa
The UAE government allows foreigners to bring their family with them when coming to UAE and while the person himself may have an employment or investor visa etc., his family is issued the family visa/
Education Visa
UAE is generally not famous for its education institutions but it is actively promoting them and trying to get smart and talented people to come study in UAE. So, this visa is issued to people who desire to study in UAE.
Golden Visa
The Golden Visa is a UAE Long-term Visa that is issued to people with exceptional talents or those who make substantial investments in the country. Unlike most other visas a Golden Visa is issued for 5 or 10 years at a time, after which it can be renewed and it also allows the holder to bring his family with him.
Green Visa
Green Visa is another initiative by the UAE government to attract more freelancers, entrepreneurs, and skilled people to the country. This is a 5-year visa and does not require a sponsor as it is issued mainly to freelancers etc.
Retirement Visa
Introduced in 2018, the UAE now offers a retirement visa to the elderly (55 years or older) who want to retire in the UAE. To get this visa they need to make an investment of AED 2 million in real estate, or have a savings account with AED 1 million, or have a monthly income or pension of AED 20,000.
What are the eligibility criteria for a UAE Residency Permit?
Considering that there are so many different types of residency visas, they all have some eligibility criteria that are common, and others are different. Here is a list of the main eligibility criteria that apply to most residency visas.
- Most of these visas require you to be 18 years of age or older.
- They all require a valid passport that does not expire for at least another six months.
- They all require strict medical screening to ensure good health.
- You should not have a criminal record and you will go through a background security check.
- Some of these visas require you to have a qualification of a Bachelor’s degree or a diploma.
- Some of these visas require significant financial investment.
- Some of these visas like the Golden Visa require exceptional talent or achievements.
How to Apply for Residency Visa UAE?
Again, considering that there are different types of residency visas, there are different ways to apply for them. However, they all follow a general pattern with minor changes and the pattern is as follows.
- Get a Sponsor: The first step in getting your residency visa is to get a sponsor in most cases, like an employer or a business partner when starting a business on the mainland.
- Get an Entry Permit: Next, you need to get an entry permit through your sponsor, so you can come to UAE and file your application.
- File Your Residency Visa Application: Then you need to file your application with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) for your residency visa, with the help of your sponsor.
- Go through Medical Screening: As a requirement and to complete your application process, you will need to go through medical screening to ensure you are in good health.
- Gather all the necessary documents: Next you need to gather all the necessary documents, like valid copies of passports, 2 passport-size photos, a job offer letter, financial statements, medical clearance, health insurance plan, business plan, etc.
- Pay the necessary Fees: Once you have filled out the application and submitted the necessary documents, you need to pay the necessary fees to complete the application process.
- Apply for Emirates ID: Once your visa is approved and you get it, you need to file for an Emirates ID, which you will use for the duration of your stay in the country.
