The United Arab Emirates has become a global hub for business, tourism, and living. With its modern cities, strong economy, and high quality of life, many people dream of calling the UAE their home. A residence visa is your key to living in this dynamic country, allowing you to work, study, and build a life in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Here’s how you can obtain your UAE Residency Visa and make your move to the UAE a reality:
Real Estate Investment Path
One popular way to get a UAE residence visa is through buying property. If you buy a property worth at least 750,000 AED (about $204,000), you can qualify for a residence visa. This can be either a home to live in or a commercial property. The good news is that you don’t need to pay the full amount upfront – you can get a mortgage with a 50% down payment.
The value of your property determines how long your visa will last. If you spend 750,000 AED, you get a 2-year visa. But if you invest 2 million AED (about $544,500), you can get a 10-year visa. This option is great for families because your spouse and children can get visas too. For a 2-year visa, children must be under 18. For a 10-year visa, unmarried sons under 25 and unmarried daughters of any age can be included.
For this visa, you’ll need to prepare these documents:
- Your property ownership certificate
- A letter from the Dubai Land Department showing your property’s value
- Bank documents if you have a mortgage
- The property purchase agreement
- Your marriage certificate (if applying for family)
- Proof that children over 18 are unmarried
- A clean criminal record certificate
- Passport copy
- Medical insurance
- Current valid visa copy
- Recent photo (3×4 cm, white background)
Working in the UAE
Getting a job in the UAE is another common way to get a residence visa. When a UAE company hires you, they handle most of the visa process and costs. Your work visa usually matches your contract length, which is typically one year. You’ll need health insurance, which costs at least 500 AED ($136), and you’ll need to get your education certificates verified.
For men working in the UAE, getting a Dubai family residence visa is straightforward if you earn at least 4,000 AED ($1,090) per month. This lets you bring your spouse and children. If you make more than 20,000 AED monthly, you can even bring your parents. For women workers, the rules are a bit different. They need to earn at least 10,000 AED monthly and work in specific fields like healthcare or education to get a Dubai family residence visa.
To apply for a work visa, you’ll need:
- Your signed work contract
- A recent photo (3×4 cm, white background)
- Passport copy
- Your diploma or degree certificate (notarized)
- Your resume or CV
Starting a Business
Entrepreneurs can get residence visas by investing in or starting a business. With an investment of 500,000 AED ($136,000), you can get a 5-year visa. For a longer 10-year visa, you have several options: invest 2 million AED in a business, start an approved innovative company, or own a company that makes at least 1 million AED yearly.
This option is great for families too. Business owners can get visas for their spouse and children – including sons under 25 and unmarried daughters of any age.
For an entrepreneur visa, you’ll need to provide:
- Your business registration certificate
- Company trade license copy
- Establishment Card (company immigration card)
- Bank letter confirming your investment
- Passport copy
- Recent photo (3×4 cm, white background)
- Medical insurance
- Medical examination certificate
Special Skills and Talents
The UAE welcomes talented professionals like scientists, doctors, teachers, inventors, artists, and athletes. These experts can get 10-year visas. Each profession has its own requirements. For example, scientists need approval from the Emirates Scientists Council, and artists need recognition from the Department of Culture and Tourism.
Required documents vary by profession, but generally include:
- Proof of professional accreditation (like scientific council approval)
- Evidence of achievements in your field
- Patents or recognition certificates
- Relevant authority approvals
Enrolling in a University
If you want to study in the UAE, you can get a one-year student visa through your university. You don’t need to know Arabic, but you do need to prove you can speak English well. Students with excellent grades can even get 5-10 year visas.
For a student visa, you’ll need:
- Completed application form
- High school diploma (notarized and translated to Arabic)
- Passport copy
- Birth certificate copy
- UAE Ministry of Education equivalency letter
- Recent photo (3×4 cm, white background)
- English language certificate (like IELTS or TOEFL)
Freelancers and Remote Workers
Working for yourself? The UAE has special visas for freelancers and remote workers. You’ll need to get a license from a free zone that matches your work. For example, IT professionals might choose Dubai Internet City, while creative professionals might pick Dubai Media City. License fees start around 6,000 AED ($1,630) per year, with discounts for younger applicants.
Documents needed for freelancer visas include:
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- UAE-valid medical insurance
- Employment proof or company ownership documents
- Last three months’ bank statements
- Freelance license copy
- Current valid visa copy
- Your CV
- Recent photo (3×4 cm, white background)
Retiring in the UAE
The UAE also welcomes retirees aged 55 and above. To get a 5-year retirement visa, you need to meet one of these conditions:
- Receive a monthly pension of at least 15,000 AED ($4,100)
- Have 1 million AED in savings for at least three years
- Own property worth at least 1 million AED
For a retirement visa, you’ll need:
- Passport copy
- Retirement certificate
- Three months of bank statements
- Proof of pension amount
- Investment proof (bank deposit certificate or property sale contract)
Family Sponsorship
If you have family members who are UAE citizens or residents, they might be able to sponsor your Dubai family residence visa. Citizens can sponsor their spouse, parents, and children. Even widowed or divorced mothers of UAE citizen children can be sponsored by their oldest child. These visas usually last 1-5 years, depending on the sponsor’s status.
Family visa applications require:
- Passport copies for all family members
- Recent photos
- Medical fitness certificates (for those over 18)
- Marriage certificate (for spouses)
- Proof of relationship documents (for children)
Costs to Consider
Getting a residence visa involves several costs:
- Entry permit fees: 100-1,150 AED
- Medical examination: 250-700 AED
- Emirates ID: 100-200 AED per year
- Visa stamping: 500-2,000 AED
- Health insurance: 500-5,000 AED yearly
Remember, these costs vary depending on the type of visa and which emirate you’re applying in.
Important Things to Remember
Before starting your visa application, make sure you have all the basic documents ready. These usually include your passport, photos, and medical certificates. Some visas need extra documents like marriage certificates or proof of income.
Also, it’s important to know that an entry permit is different from a residence visa. An entry permit lets you enter the UAE and stay for up to 90 days. A residence visa is what you need for long-term staying, working, or studying in the UAE.
The UAE’s visa system offers many paths to residency, making it possible for people with different backgrounds and goals to make this country their home. Whether you’re an investor, worker, student, or retiree, there’s likely a visa option that fits your situation. Just make sure to prepare all necessary documents before starting your application to make the process as smooth as possible.
Ready to start your UAE journey? Contact Abatera PRO Services for expert assistance with your visa application!
