Visa policy of the United Arab Emirates

The visa policy of UAE allows citizens of certain countries to enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa. Citizens of certain other countries must obtain a visa from one of the UAE diplomatic missions. Visa grant holders’ official permissions to enter, leave or stay in the country for a specified time.

Type of Visa in UAE

1. Tourist Visa:

Tourist visa is for those who are not eligible for visa on arrival or a visa free entry to the UAE. Tourist visa can be obtained for eligible individual tourists from around the world. Females below the age of 18 are not eligible to apply for this type of visa unless they are travelling with their parents. According to a cabinet resolution passed in July 2018, children under the age of 18 years who are accompanying adults, can get a free visa from 15^th July to 15 September each year.

UAE embassies do not issue tourist visa, in order to get a tourist visa to the UAE, you need to get in touch with one of the UAE based airlines, agency or a hotel in the UAE who will apply for visa on your behalf to the official visa issuing authorities in the UAE. The foreigner is granted an entry visa for a single visit for the purpose of tourism for a period of 30 or 60 days. A passport or travel document, valid for no less than 6 months. Valid health insurance. A natural identity card in the case of certain nationalities. A travel showing onward journey, and in case of transit visas, this should be with in 96 hours of arriving in UAE.

2. Transit Visa

UAE transit is a type of visa that allows other country nationals to leave the airport and stay in the UAE during a layover when travelling on emirates or other airlines. This visa is necessary if your layover extends beyond the airport or if you wish to explore UAE or the surrounding areas during your transit. Transit visa is issued either for 48 hours or for 96 hours. Please note that once a 48-hour visa is issued, it cannot be extended to 96 hours.

Transit visas for 48 hours are issued free of charge to passengers transiting through the UAE's airport. This visa is not extendable, nor renewal. Transit visas for 96 hours are issued for a certain amount to passengers transiting through the UAE airport. This visa is also not extendable or renewable.

3. Residence Visa

[A] Golden Visa:

The UAE Golden visa is a long-term residence visa which enables foreign talents to live, work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits which include:

• An entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance
• A long term, renewal residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years.
• The privilege of not needing a sponsor.
• The ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months in order to keep their residence visa valid.
• The ability to sponsor their family members, including spouses and children regardless of their ages.
• The ability to sponsor unlimited number of domestic helpers
• The permit for family members to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration, if the primary holder of the golden visa passes away.
• Requirements for the Golden Visa : Golden visa requirements depend on the type of residence, whether investor, talent, entrepreneur, etc.
• Investors in public investments : If you invest in an investment fund, you may be granted a Golden visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor, subject to the:
  1. Submission of a letter from an investment fund accredited in the UAE stating that the investor has a deposit of AED 2 million or
  2. Submission of a valid commercial license or industrial license and a memorandum of association stating that the investor capital is not less than AED 2 million.
  3. Submission of a letter from federal tax authority stating that the investor pays the government no less than AED 250000 annually.
  4. Own the invested capital completely, It must not be a loan.
  5. Provide proof of medical insurance for himself and his family.
• Real estate investors: If you own a property or a group of properties, you may be granted a golden visa for a period of 10 years, renewable on the same conditions and without a sponsor subject to the:
  1. Provision of a letter from the land department of the respective emirate stating that he or she owns one or more property whose value is not less than 2 million dirhams.
  2. Purchase of a property with a loan from specific local banks approved by the competent local entity.
• Entrepreneurs : If you are an entrepreneur, you may get a Golden visa for a period of 5 years, if you own an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk and innovation. In addition, you must have a letter of approval from each of the following:
  1. An auditor in the UAE stating that the project value is not less than AED 500000 dirhams.
  2. The authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature.
  3. An accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country.
• Outstanding specialized talents : Outstanding specialized talent include:
  • Doctors
  • Scientists
  • Creative people of culture and art
  • Investors
  • Specialist in scientific fields
  • Athletes
  • Doctoral degree holders
  • High school student
  • University students

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[B] Residence visa for working in the UAE

The green visa is for skilled employees on self-sponsorship. The standard work visa is for employees of government and private sectors. Domestic helpers live and work in the UAE on the domestic worker’s visa. Green visa can be applied by free lancers, self employed and skilled employees. A foreigner can get a normal employment visa, usually for two years, if he or she is employed in the private sector or employed in the government sector or in free zone.

[C] Residence visa for working outside the UAE

Foreigners employed outside the UAE are permitted to live here legitimately with a virtual work visa. The one-year visa allows foreigners to enter the UAE under self-sponsorship and work in line with the terms and conditions issued with the visa.

[D] Blue Visa

The blue visa is a 10 year residence visa designed for individuals who have made an exceptional contribution towards the environment’s protection and sustainability, both inside and outside the UAE.

[E] Residence visa for the retired

Retired foreigners can apply for a long term visa of 5 years. For a retiree to be eligible for the retirement visa, he or she must:

• Either have worked for not less than 15 years inside or outside the UAE, or be 55 years old or more at the time of retirement
• Own a property of no less than AED 1 million or have financial savings of no less than AED 1 million or have a monthly income of AED 20000.

[F] Residence visa for doing business in UAE

The green visa for investors is given to investors establishing or participating in commercial activities in the UAE. It replaces the previous residence visa that was valid for 2 years.

[G] Residence visa for studying in the UAE

A student visa is given for a duration of one year, at a time, renewable for a similar period upon proof of contribution of a study issued by the educational institute where the student is studying.

[H] Residence visa for family members

Employers and employees with valid UAE residence visas can sponsor residence visas for their families. Unlike before, employees can sponsor their families regardless of their job titles if they earn a minimum salary of AED 4000 or AED 3000 plus accommodation. Clearing medical fitness examination applies to all those who have completed the age of 18.

Benefits of having a UAE residence visa

1. Open a bank account
2. Access financial facilities
3. Apply for a driving license
4. Access government health services and health insurance
5. Register his or her children in government and private schools
6. Work and invest in UAE
7. Travel visa free to certain destination.

Visa free countries for UAE residents

As a UAE resident, you can enjoy a visa free stay in 24 countries. Some of the visa free countries are as follows:

1. Georgia
2. Indonesia
3. Malaysia
4. Maldives
5. Armenia
6. Azerbaijan
7. Sri Lanka
8. Seychelles
9. Thailand
10. Japan
11. Mauritius
12. Singapore
13. Brunei
14. Jordan
15. Kazakhstan
16. Kuwait
17. Nepal
18. Serbia
19. Albania
20. Bahrain
21. Kyrgyzstan
22. Montenegro
23. Oman
24. Qatar

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