muhammad.faieez@vistaoutsourcing.com

Posted on November 6, 2024

Updated on November 4, 2024

How to Get a UAE Residence Visa | A Complete Guide

There are many shiny new prospects waiting for you at the other side when you have a UAE residence visa. There are all kinds of paths open for you to take. Expand your business ventures. Go on to provide a secure environment for your family to settle down.

Living and working in UAE for long term requires expats and investors to apply for it. In this article, we tell you everything there is to UAE residence visa.

Importance of a UAE Residence Visa for Expats and Investors

A UAE residence visa is a legal requirement for expats and investors. But it also comes with quite an attractive package of benefits. For investors, it simplifies business operations. This provides them with the right to:

open corporate bank accounts
sign commercial contracts
access other business services

For expats, it ensures their legal stay. They get access to services of healthcare and education. Other than these undeniable points, it’s a residence visa that you need for getting your Emirates ID. Which if you don’t know, acts as the official identification for the country’s residents.

UAE has many visa options designed. These are for catering to the needs of different individuals and businesses. This means the residents have the best resources available for living and working comfortably.

Eligibility Requirements of UAE Residence Visa

Being familiar with eligibility requirement is how you will ace the first step of UAE residence visa process. The criteria changes shape with your visa type. This is what you need to know. Also you should check out the UAE residence visa expiry rules.

Minimum Salary or Investment Thresholds

You want to qualify for a UAE residence visa. For that, applicants need to meet minimum salary requirements. Or investment requirements.

For employment visas, the salary threshold varies with your job category and the specific emirate’s regulations. Employers usually set a minimum salary. This helps them ensure candidates are financially capable of supporting themselves.

The amount you invest in a company or property is important for investor visas. The government sets these investment levels. It is for promoting financial stability and economic growth in UAE. Individuals investing in real estate have to meet a minimum property value threshold. That’s how they will be able to qualify for the visa.

Age and Health Requirements

You need to be of the required aged when applying for a residence visa in UAE. Another major requirement is being healthy.

For employment visas, you need to be of legal working age. Older dependents are allowed on family visas. That’s if there is sufficient proof of financial support.

Applicants need to get a medical exam. This verifies they do not carry any contagious diseases. UAE’s government emphasizes this. The idea behind this is protecting their public health and maintaining a safe living environment. And truthfully, none of us can begrudge that.

Security Clearance and Background Checks

UAE’s government conducts thorough security and background checks. This is for all residence visa applicants. You won’t be finding any exceptions.

This process verifies that individuals entering the country have no criminal history. It indicates there is no risk posing to national security. Investors and business owners have to go through additional checks. Their business background will be the focus. This is the country’s way of making sure they meet the integrity standards as per regulations.

These checks are important. Because they maintain the safety and stability of the UAE. They uphold it as a secure place for expats as well as locals.

Employer or Sponsor Obligations

In UAE residence visa process, a major role is held by employers and sponsors. Employers apply and cover the cost of their employees’ visas. They have to provide other necessary documents too. These encompass the following.

employment contracts
proof of salary
company licenses

if you are sponsoring your family on dependent visa, then you need to show some receipts. It’s going to take proof of adequate income and housing to support your dependents. Fulfilling these obligations means sponsors experience a smooth visa approval process.

Types of UAE Residence Visas

There are different reasons to why people make their way to UAE. Everyone’s stories are different behind their quest to make and call it their home. Since their purposes are not identical, nor are the visa types.

Considering the needs of different individuals, there are various residence visa types offered by UAE. We share the main categories.

Employment Residence Visa

This is a common one. Earning your bread and butter in UAE as an expat requires having an employment residence visa. Your employer is the one who will act as your sponsor. They will be the one initiating the visa application process. Employees have to provide a valid employment contract. And they need to meet the requirements set by government.

Investor Residence Visa

People who want to invest in the UAE economy need investor residence visa. It is issued to individuals who invest in properties, businesses and other ventures in the country.

This visa is ideal for business owners who are looking to expand their operations. In turn they get a tax friendly and business oriented environment.

Family Residence Visa

Expats living in UAE can sponsor their family members to join them. Spouses, children and even parents can apply for a family residence visa. Sponsors need to show proof of:

income
suitable accommodation
their ability to support dependents financially

Freelancer Residence Visa

UAE also offers a freelancer residence visa. It’s perfect for people who want to work independently. This visa is suitable for freelance professionals across different fields. This includes the sectors of IT, media and design.
If this is where your interests lie, you will have to share your freelance work experience. Getting a freelance permit issued by the UAE authorities might as well be in order too.

Student Residence Visa

Live your dream of pursuing further education. Student residence visa UAE is precisely designed for this. It’s sponsored by educational institutions. Applicants need to provide a letter of admission from their academic institution. This visa lets students stay in the country for duration of their studies.

Visa Application Fees and Costs

Your visa type and stay duration plays into the total UAE residence visa cost. The application fees consist of:

medical examination costs
Emirates ID issuance fees
other administrative charges

As an applicant, you should be aware of these costs. That way you will be prepared with your budget.
We illustrate the different expenses involved with your visa type.

We illustrate the different expenses involved with your visa type. These are governmental price. The final amount it costs you will be affected by service provider fee and any additional fee.

*Visa Type*	*Cost Estimate in AED*
Employment Residence Visa	2,500 – 5,000
Investor Residence Visa	4,000 – 8,000
Family Residence Visa	2,000 – 4,500
Student Residence Visa	2,500 – 3,500

Additional Fees (Medical, Legal, etc.)

Aside from standard visa application fees, you might encounter additional costs too. These include legal fees for notarizing documents and medical examination charges.

Applicants are required to complete a medical check-up at an approved UAE medical facility. This ensures they are fit to live in the country.

Legal fees may also apply. It’s for people requiring professional assistance in preparing their documents and processing their application. Accounting for these costs is important. Especially for people who much prefer an expert to manage their paperwork.

Key Documents Required for Residence Visa UAE

Gathering the required documents is the first stage. We share UAE residence visa process step-by step.

Passport Validity and Requirements

You need to double check if your passport has a minimum validity of six months. It’s counted from the date of visa application. There should be enough blank pages for visa stamps. Ensure passport validity to avoid delays in processing.

Employment or Investment Proof

Proof of employment or investment is compulsory. Employment visa applicants need to provide

an official employment contract
salary details
proof of their employer’s valid license

Investors need to present evidence of their investment. This means their property ownership papers and business licenses. These documents show your eligibility and financial capability. They assure authorities that the applicant can look after themselves during their stay.

Medical Examination Results

Visa applications call for medical examination. The tests check for contagious diseases. They pinpoint other health conditions that might be a risk to public safety. After clearing medical results, the visa application can proceed to the next stage.

Immigration and Visa Application Forms

All applicants complete their visa application forms. This includes personal details, visa type and purpose of stay. These forms are available online. There are forms for UAE residence visa renewal online. You need to submit them along with other required documents for processing.

How We Can Help You to Get Your UAE Residence Visa Smoothly

Working out the UAE residence visa process can be quite the challenge. Certainly when you go ahead without the right guidance. Our team provides customized support. It ensures that all documents are accurately prepared. they are submitted on time as well. We are here to assist you during each phase.

Our services include: