We all know that we need a residency visa to legalize living in Dubai. Since the number of people interested in moving to the UAE and living in Dubai is increasing day by day, we tried to review the steps of obtaining an UAE residence visa from the beginning. So stay with us until the end of the article.
In order to obtain a UAE visa, you must include one of the following groups:
There are different types of residence visas in Dubai that are as follows:
You will need a lot of documents to apply for an UAE residency visa. These documents include:
You can apply for a residence permit when you have entered the country with your entry permit. You should also note that in most cases you cannot apply with this entry permit and need a sponsor for this action, such as your spouse, employer, etc.
You will need a sponsor to apply for this visa. On very few occasions, you can sponsor yourself. Below these sponsors are checked:
All of the above are the introduction and prerequisites for this part of the article. We hope you have carefully studied the above sections.
First of all, your sponsor will apply for your entry permit in one of the following ways:
When you are in the UAE, your sponsor must to apply for your residence visa at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs of the relevant emirate in that you will live.
When it’s time for your application, they would pay the UAE residence visa fee, as you know it is depending on validity of your visa.
When your application is accepted, the GDRFA will affix a residence visa on your passport and you would obtain an Emirates ID, valid for the same period as the visa.
The cost of an UAE residency visa varies based on how long it is issued. The UAE residence visa fee is about 100 dirham for 1 year. You may not know but you must to pay processing fee, it’s depending on where to apply. This cost could range from 70 dirham if you apply in-person and 40 dirham if you apply online.
Given that, you have additional cost too, like fees for medical exams and health insurance.
Foreigners wishing to work and live in the UAE need a residence visa. This visa has many benefits for its holder, which we will review below some of them.
The difference between the two can be understood from their names. Entry permit allows the holder to enter the country and is valid for a certain amount of time, usually 3 months.
Entry permits are issued based on your purpose of your trip. For example, the entry permit for tourists is the same as their tourist visa.
Your sponsor will apply for your entry permit before you enter the country. After you have entered the country with this entry permit, your sponsor can apply for your residence visa. He or she could apply for it from the relevant visa issuing authorities as mentioned above.
Also, some nationalities do not need permission to enter the UAE or receive it upon arrival in the country.
The duration of the residence visas varies according to your purpose of the trip and are issued for 1 to 3 years that can be extended.
However, retirement visas and investment visas are issued for 5 to 10 years and can be extended.
30 days before the expiration of your residency visa, your sponsor must apply for an extension. Your sponsor could also renew your visa after it expires when it is within the UAE residence visa expiry grace period. It should be noted that the renewal of a residence visa is quite similar to the first time you want to get a residency visa.
UAE authorities have provided 30 days as a grace period that starts right after your visa expires. This means that if your visa is finished, you can stay in the UAE for an extra 30 days. However, if you do not renew your visa within 30 days, you must leave the country and you have to receive entry permit to come back again.
If you have stayed in the country after the Grace period, you will be fined per day.
Fines are as follows:
In October 2018, a new law was introduced to make divorced or widowed women stay in the UAE. In this way, they can live in the country for one year after their divorce or the death of their spouse without a sponsor. The law applies to the woman’s children.
It should be noted that the woman and her children are on the father’s visa at the time of the death or at the time of divorce and their visas must be valid at that time. So they could apply at the GDRFA by submitting the following:
This type of visa can only renewal for one time.
Dubai is one of the cities of the Emirates. Getting a Dubai residency visa is like an UAE residency visa. It’s done as described above.
You have to have a sponsor in Dubai (or invest / buy a property). Then your sponsor has to apply for your entry permit. When you enter the country, your sponsor must applly for your residence visa at one of the licensed typing centers of the general Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affaires (GDRFA) in Dubai or an Amer center.
The UAE residence visa has a variety of types that are checked below:
Foreigners working in Dubai or the UAE must also apply for a residence visa. Your employer must apply for your entry permit into the country and your residence visa. It also needs to provide a business certificate. For more information, read the Dubai work visa and permit article in our website. If the residence is provided by the employer, foreigners who also support their family will need to earn about 3,000 dirhams per month. You can also read, major cost of living in Dubai, for more information on the cost of living in Dubai.
You can get a Dubai residence visa by buying a property in the UAE. It should be noted that the purchased property must be completed and worth at least 1 million dirhams. For more information, be sure to review this article get UAE residency visa by buying property in Dubai.
You can obtain Dubai residency by registering a company in the UAE. This residence visa allows you, as a foreigner, to become a shareholder in local companies and hire employees in the UAE.
The good news is that you can apply for UAE residency without a sponsor after the new news announced by the Emirati authorities. In this announcement, various types of new permits were announced that UAE has become a great destination for living and working and, of course, investing.
In this announcement, different types of green residence permits were announced for investors, skilled employees, self-employed individuals and their family members.
What is a green residence permit and who is granted? Everything you need to know about this is explained to you below:
According to the news, some professions can get a 5-year green residence visa without a sponsor or employer. These groups are as follows:
The applicant must apply at Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for a freelance or sef-employment work permit.
Minimum educational level should be bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma. Here is a guide of how you can get a freelance visa in Dubai if you need more information.
The applicant must have a valid employment contract. They must be classified first, second or third occupational level as per MOHRE.
Minimum educational level must be a bachelor’s degree.
Another group that can include a green residence visa and do not require sponsorship are investors and partners. Among the required documents are investment approval and proof.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Oman are among the most popular destinations for migration and residency in the Middle East. Dubai, as one of the most advanced cities in the world, attracts many due to its modern infrastructure, booming economy, and luxurious lifestyle. In this article, we will compare residency in Dubai, Qatar and Oman, highlighting differences in benefits, costs, and residency regulations.
| Category | Dubai (UAE) | Qatar | Oman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residency Options | Employment, Investment, Education, Property Purchase, Business Registration | Employment, Investment, Education, Business Registration | Employment, Investment, Education, Property Purchase |
| Permanent Residency | No (except in special cases) | No | Yes (under specific conditions) |
| Cost of Living | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Income Tax | None | None | Yes (10% for foreigners) |
| Housing Rent Costs | Very high (especially in luxury areas) | High but lower than Dubai | More affordable than Dubai and Qatar |
| Inflation Rate | Low | Moderate | High (in recent years) |
| Possibility of Citizenship | Extremely difficult | Extremely difficult | Possible under special conditions |
| Quality of Life | Very high (modern facilities, excellent transportation, high-level public services) | High, but with some social restrictions | Medium to high, suitable for family life |
| Business Environment | Highly favorable (one of the world’s business hubs) | Favorable, but less than Dubai | More limited compared to Dubai and Qatar |
| Unemployment Rate | Low | Low | Moderate |
| Education System | International, top global schools | Good, but fewer options than Dubai | Medium quality, fewer international options |
| Healthcare System | Best hospitals in the Middle East | High quality | Good quality but lower than Dubai and Qatar |
Residency renewal in Dubai depends on the visa type and applicant’s status. Typically, employment, investment, student and family visas must be renewed before expiration. Required documents include: A valid passport, Medical fitness, certificate, Health insurance and …
Key Points for Residency Renewal:
Obtaining residency in Dubai comes with legal and financial challenges that applicants need to be aware of. One of the most significant restrictions is related to foreign ownership laws; non-UAE nationals can only purchase property in designated Freehold areas, and even then, property ownership does not lead to permanent residency.
Additionally, hidden costs and financial obligations can impact the overall cost of living. While Dubai does not impose personal income tax, expenses such as high rental costs, mandatory health insurance, visa renewal fees, and banking charges can create financial pressure. Other additional costs include high processing fees for residency applications, financial guarantees for family visas, and document authentication fees, which are common challenges for applicants.
Dubai offers a variety of neighborhoods suitable for professionals and families, each with different amenities, costs, and lifestyle options. Below are five top areas for property investment in Dubai:
Jumeirah is one of the best areas for families, known for its beautiful beaches, international schools, and shopping centers like City Walk. The neighborhood offers luxurious villas and modern apartments, making it a preferred choice for affluent families due to its tranquility and premium amenities.
Downtown Dubai is the business and entertainment hub of the city, home to Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Fountain. This area is ideal for executives, professionals, and investors seeking modern living, high-end apartments, and easy access to public transport.
Dubai Marina is one of the most vibrant areas, featuring luxury towers, cafes, restaurants, and scenic waterfront walkways. Due to its proximity to Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and public transport, it is a popular choice among young professionals and singles.
Al Barsha is a great budget-friendly option for families and employees, offering easy access to Mall of the Emirates, international schools, and reasonably priced rentals. This area also has good public transport connectivity, making it a balanced choice between cost and quality of life.
Dubai Silicon Oasis is a calm and affordable neighborhood, popular among engineers and tech professionals due to its proximity to technology firms and startups. The cost of living is lower than in central Dubai, making it a great option for young families as well.
The processing and approval time for Dubai residency applications depends on the visa type, applicant’s conditions, and administrative requirements. Typically, an employment residency visa takes around 2 to 4 weeks, while investment and Golden Visas may require 4 to 8 weeks. Freelance and Startup Visas are usually processed within 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the chosen free zone. Factors that influence the processing time include proper documentation, type of sponsor, medical examinations, and security clearances. In some cases, security checks or incomplete applications can cause delays in the approval process.
Thank you for accompanying us until the end of the article. As you may wish to stay in Dubai and the UAE. Many people are looking to get an UAE residency visa, which in this article we examined the types of resident visas of the UAE and the ways to get it and the required documents.
The cheapest way for Iranians to obtain residency in Dubai is through company registration and a freelance visa.
All Iranian documents, such as passports and visas, must be valid for at least 6 months to be approved for residency in the UAE.
The cost of Dubai residency varies depending on the chosen method. A work visa typically costs between 3,000 to 7,000 AED, while a Golden Visa and investment visas may have higher costs.
The validity of a UAE visa varies depending on the type, ranging from 1 to 10 years.
Residency in Dubai can be obtained through employment, investment, property purchase, education, freelance visas, and the Golden Visa.
No, obtaining residency in Dubai does not automatically lead to UAE citizenship. However, in special cases such as major investments, exceptional talents, and outstanding contributions to the country, citizenship may be granted.
Yes, by purchasing a property worth 1 million AED or more, one can obtain a residency visa valid for 2 to 10 years.
Yes, most residency visas can be renewed before expiration. To renew, you must provide necessary documents such as a valid passport, medical certificate, and health insurance.
Depending on the type of visa, processing usually takes between 2 to 8 weeks. Work and freelance visas are issued faster, while investment and Golden Visas may take longer.
Yes, residency visa holders can sponsor their spouse and children to live in Dubai, but they must meet a minimum income requirement.
