Since the beginning of its history, Dubai has been a strategic location for commercial activities. With the advancement of both technology and business globally, Dubai has successfully positioned itself as the pioneer city for doing business. Dubai’s rise as a business center has attracted domestic investors, but also foreign investors. The latter requires certain permits to form their businesses and stay in Dubai. Within these permits is the residence visa.
In this article, we will talk about the residence visa, its advantages, and limitations, the different steps to follow to obtain it, and all about visa residence services. Let us look at the content in more detail:
- What is a residence visa in the UAE?
- Who is qualified to apply for a UAE residence visa?
- What are the documents needed to apply for a residence visa?
- How can you apply for a residence visa in the UAE?
- What are the benefits of having a residence visa?
- How can your family obtain residency if you have a residence visa?
- How can this agency help you obtain your residence visa?
1. What is a residence visa in the UAE?
A residence visa is a permit granted by the UAE government with which you can stay in the country for a certain time. In general, this permit lasts 3 years, but you can renew it without limit as long as you meet the conditions to be a resident.
This visa can be obtained by foreign citizens who want to reside in the UAE for different reasons. You can get it as a first step to apply for an employment visa. You can also get it if you invest in a company in the UAE or if you start your own business.
2. Who is qualified to apply for a UAE residence visa?
There are certain requirements that must be met to obtain a residence visa in Dubai. Not all people are eligible for this type of visa. Contact a visa service provider, such as Connect Business Center, to find out if you are eligible for the visa based on your particular situation.
2.1 Workers employed in the UAE
If you get a job in any company within the UAE, whether private or public, you are eligible for a residence visa. This type of visa, also known as an employment visa, allows residence in the country for two to three years, with renewal opportunities.
The advantage of this visa is that the company you work for takes care of the application and renewal process.
2.2 Entrepreneurs that invest in a property
If you purchase and own a property you can apply for a residence visa with a duration of 2 years. The only limitation of this type of visa is that you cannot work in the UAE.
On the other hand, if you invest in a company within the UAE, you can apply for an investor visa. With the investor visa, you can reside in the UAE from 6 months to 10 years, depending on the amount of the investment.
2.3 Investors that register their own company in the UAE
If you intend to create a company and want to settle it in the UAE, you can apply for a golden visa. This is a type of residence visa for which foreign investors who want to establish a business are eligible.
2.4 Investors that will retire in the UAE
If you had a previous residence visa, you can apply for a retirement visa. You have to be over 55 years old and make an inversion of at least AED 2 million. You must also prove that you have enough income to support yourself as a retiree. The income should be at least AED 20,000 per month.
By following these requirements, you can obtain a 5-year renewable visa.
3. What are the documents needed to apply for a residence visa?
You must first consider that to apply for a residence visa in the UAE, you must be within the country. To do this, you first need to apply for an entry permit. With this permit, you can enter the country for a limited period of time while you apply for my visa.
Also consider that, in most cases, you do not apply directly for the visa. You must apply for the visa, and the entry permit, through a sponsorship. You can also apply through your boss if you are employed in the UAE.
To prepare for the visa process, the most important thing is that you understand all the requirements and that you have all the documents ready.
The first step to follow is to fill out the application for a residence visa in the UAE. You will need to present a copy of your passport and two passport-sized pictures. The pictures should be in color and your full face should be seen.
You will need your original entry permit and one copy of it. You must also present legal proof of your sponsor’s residence. Finally, take into account that a medical examination is also required to apply for the visa. Passing results of this exam must be submitted with the application.
If you are going to reside in the country with an employment visa, your sponsor must also present the work contract.
The entry permit only lasts for three months. You must ensure that you have all the documents and be clear about the steps to follow to complete the process in this time.
4. How can you apply for a residence visa in the UAE?
Next, we will present some of the steps that you must follow to obtain the residence visa in Dubai.
4.1 Obtain your entry permit
As we mentioned before, you need your sponsor to request an entry permit. In order to do this, your sponsor must apply on the portal of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. They can also apply in person at one of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs typing centers.
4.2 Submit your application for the residence visa
Your sponsor must fill out your application for the visa at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). You can also advise yourself with a residence visa service.
4.3 Pay the residence visa application cost
In order to complete the application, it is necessary to pay a fee. The amount you will have to pay will depend on the duration of the visa and the reasons why you will reside in the country. For example, an employee residency visa lasts two years, but an investor residency visa lasts three.
In this sense, the fee for an investor visa is higher than for an employment visa. Fees can vary from AED 4000 to AED 7000. You must present the payment certificate with the application for the visa. Take into account that if you want to renew the visa in the future, you will also have to pay a fee.
4.4 Emirates ID and visa stamping
Once the visa is approved by the GDRFA, they will take care of placing a stamp on your passport. This stamp indicates that you legally reside in the UAE. It is also important because it is the one that allows you to travel inside and outside the country without complications.
You will also receive an Emirates ID. This ID is your identification for any process and request that you must make within the UAE.
5. What are the benefits of having a residence visa?
A residence visa offers multiple benefits compared to other visas such as the tourist visa. Knowing these benefits will allow you to take full advantage of the visa.
With your Emirates ID, you can have your own bank account, and you can get a driving license. In addition, you can open a corporate o salary account. You can also own properties within the UAE and invest in them.
On the other hand, with the residence visa, you can travel outside the UAE for a maximum period of 6 months without affecting the validity of your visa. This is an advantage over other visas such as the tourist or the entry permit, with which you cannot leave the country.
With a residence visa in the UAE, you can also easily travel to countries close to the UAE, such as Saudi Arabia.
Other benefits include access to health insurance, and private or public schools for your children.
6. How can your family obtain residency if you have a residence visa?
Another great benefit of obtaining a residence visa is that you can apply for residence for your wife, your parents, or for your children if they are under 18 years of age. This type of permit is known as a family visa, and the request must be made by the person in the family who has obtained residency.
You can apply for the visa for your family as soon as you receive your visa. As for the residence visa, you must follow certain steps to obtain the residence for your family.
In order to apply for a visa for your family, you must be legally employed within the UAE. A requirement to apply for the visa is that you must prove to the government that you have enough income to support your family during the process.
You also have to show that you possess the accommodations in your home for your family to live in it.
In particular, your monthly salary must be at least AED 3000, for male foreign workers, to be eligible to apply for residency for your family. For female foreign workers, your monthly income must be at least AED 8000.
In the event that both the mother of the children and the father have legal residency, it is the father who must apply for residency for the children.
As for the residence visa, the family visa must be requested with the relatives inside the country. Once inside the country, you have a maximum of two months to apply for their residency. The family visa has a duration that can vary between 1 and 3 years, with the opportunity for renewal. Usually, you must present the same documents that you presented for your visa, including medical exams.
7. How can this agency help you obtain your residence visa?
A residence visa is a permit issued by the government of the UAE so that foreign investors, employees, and students can reside in the country and take advantage of all the opportunities that the UAE offers. The process can be long and there are several steps to follow, so it is best to work with a visa services provider.
We offer our services to help you obtain a residence visa easily and effortlessy. As part of them, we also provide you with our investor visa and family visa services. If you have more capital to invest and want to ejnoy the benefits the UAE market offers, we can also help you acquire a golden visa.
Would you like to know more about how to apply for your residence visa? Contact us if you want to know more about our services. Call us on +97143316688 or you can also email us at info@connectbusinesscenter.com if you have any questions about the application process.
If you are interested in finding a new job, you can visit thetalentpoint.com. You can also send your CV to contact@thetalentpoint.com for a change to work in our agency. Getting a job and living in the UAE does not have to be difficult if you do it with us.
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