For legal stay in the United Arab Emirates, foreign citizens need to obtain a visa. The type of visa depends on the purpose of the visit. Currently, the following types of visas are available
to foreigners:
Tourist visa
UAE tourist visa is the most common type of entry permit. It is suitable for travellers who intend to relax, explore the country, and visit its attractions. The minimum duration of a tourist visa in the UAE is 30 days. It can be single-entry or multiple entry. Citizens of over 70 countries do not need to pre-apply for a UAE visa. Upon arrival at any airport in the country, they can receive a visa on arrival free of charge.
There is an option to extend the visa. It can be extended twice for 30 days each time without leaving the country.
To apply for a tourist visa in Dubai, you will need:
- Passport and its copy.
- Passport-sized photos.
For family travel, separate documents must be provided for each family member.
UAE work visa
A work visa in the UAE is issued to foreigners who want to enter the country for employment purposes. They are allowed to work only for the company that provided the invitation. If a foreign citizen wants to work in the UAE while holding any other type of visa, they must cancel the previous visa and then apply for a work visa.
How to obtain a work visa in the UAE:
To obtain a work permit, documents confirming the existence of a contract, or a job offer from a company located in the Emirates are required. Work visas are issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in your emirate. The visa application is submitted by the employer on behalf of the employee.
The duration of such a visa is 2 years. To apply for a work visa in the UAE, you will need:
- A coloured copy of your passport.
- Passport-sized photos.
- Entry Permit Visa with an entry stamp.
- Medical examination results (blood test + X-ray).
- Application for an Emirates ID with a stamp from the Identity and Citizenship Authority.
Employment contract.
- Certified copy of the diploma (required for some positions).
- When obtaining a work visa in the UAE, the cost of processing is fully covered by the employer.
UAE investor visa
UAE investor visa can be obtained by applicants who are willing to invest capital in the country's economy. It is issued for 2, 5, or 10 years. This visa allows becoming a full-fledged resident of the country, opening bank accounts, using medical services, and receiving dividends from assets located in the Emirates. An applicant for an investor visa must meet several requirements.
Various investment options are available:
- Investment funds in the UAE.
- Establishing a company in the Emirates with a minimum capital of AED 10 million.
- Partnership in a company with shares worth at least AED 10 million.
- Purchasing real estate with a minimum value of AED 750,000.
The validity of the investor visa depends on the amount of funds invested. To obtain a 10-year Golden Visa, funds of not less than AED 10 million must be presented in the form of an investment fund or company. These funds should not be borrowed, and approximately 60% of the total investment should not be allocated to real estate. Dubai's investor visa grants the right for close relatives and dependents of the applicant to also receive a visa. In this case, the resident serves as the sponsor.
The requirements for the provided documents and the final cost of the visa depend on the type of business activity, free zones, and other factors. For visa renewal, the resident must meet the conditions stipulated by the investor program.
Digital Nomad Visa
A remote work visa in the UAE is suitable for foreigners who want to engage in legal freelance activities within the Emirates. This visa can be obtained by individuals working in the fields of design, information technology, education, and media. The application is submitted to the governing authority of the emirate in which the applicant plans to work.
The cost of a freelancer visa depends on the emirate or free zone where the application is
submitted. The expenses for obtaining the visa include:
- Work permit issuance.
- Medical examination.
- Visa stamping.
- Emirates ID issuance
The remote employee visa for the UAE is issued for one year and can be renewed upon
application. To obtain it, you will need:
- Applicants resume.
- Photographs.
- Copies of the passport and visa.
- A recommendation letter from a bank
If the applicant is already working in the UAE, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) may be required from the current employer, indicating that they do not object to the applicants freelance activities. Depending on the nature of the work, the applicant may be asked to provide a portfolio and documents to prove their qualifications. Holders of a remote work visa can act as sponsors for close relatives when applying for visas.
Student visa in the UAE
A student visa in the UAE is issued to students above 18 years old for a duration of 1 year and can be annually renewed if the applicant remains a student. To obtain this visa, you need to provide a proof of enrolment from an accredited university or college. The applicant can be the student themselves, their parents, or a sponsor in the form of an educational institution. In the case of exceptional academic performance, the UAE may grant a 5-year student visa. The 5-year visa is issued to:
- High school graduates with a score of at least 95% from public or private schools.
- University students with a GPA of at least 3.75.
To apply for the visa, you will need:
- Passport.
- Photographs.
- Proof of enrolment in an educational institution.
- Sponsorship letter (the sponsor can be the university or a relative residing in the country).
- Certificate of registration issued by the university.
- Copy of the tuition fee payment receipt for the current academic year.
- Copy of the visa fee payment receipt.
- Educational diploma, university enrollment certificate, or school certificate.
- Medical certificate.
Retiree Resident Visa in the UAE
The UAE offers a program for foreign citizens aged 55 and above, allowing them to reside in the Emirates after retiring. The retiree resident visa in the UAE is granted under the following conditions:
- Investments in real estate are valued at a minimum of AED 2 million.
- Financial savings of at least AED 1 million in a three-year fixed deposit account
- A steady monthly income of not less than AED 15,000.
- A combination of an annual income and savings totaling AED 1 million and real estate valued at no less than AED 500,000
The retiree visa in Dubai is initially issued for 5 years, with the possibility of extension provided the program's criteria are met. Spouses and dependents of the retiree are also eligible to apply for this visa, and it grants the right to work.
Documents required for the retiree resident visa application:
- Copies of the resident's passport, family members, and other dependents.
- Marriage certificate copies for visa applications for spouses
- Documents confirming compliance with one of the visa eligibility conditions
If the applicant is already a UAE resident, they will need to provide copies of their current visa and Emirates ID for themselves, their family members, and dependents. The cost of the retiree resident visa is approximately AED 3,800.
Dependent Resident Visa in the UAE
Close family members of UAE residents, including children, parents, spouses, and domestic staff, have the right to obtain a dependent visa in the UAE. The application for a dependent visa, also known as a sponsored visa, is submitted by the sponsor.
The sponsor can be:
- An expatriate who is officially employed in the UAE
- An investor or business owner.
- A property owner in the Emirates.
The cost of the dependent visa and the required documentation may vary depending on the type of visa the sponsor holds. The duration of the dependent visa typically corresponds to the validity of the sponsor's visa. At the end of the visa's validity, the sponsor has 30 days to apply for an extension.
Visa for a patient planning treatment in the UAE and for their accompanying individuals
Foreign citizens have the right to enter the UAE for the purpose of medical treatment, provided that the medical institution sponsors the patient. In this case, a UAE patient visa (entry permit for patients) is issued. Such permits come in two types:
- Single-entry: Allows entry into the country within 60 days from the date of issuance and permits a stay of up to 90 days from the date of entry. The permit allows for a single entry, but it can be extended if necessary.
- Multiple entry: Permits entry into the Emirates within 60 days from the date of issuance and grants the right to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days from the date of entry. The permit allows for multiple entries, and it can be extended if needed.
Documents required for obtaining the UAE medical visa (UAE Patient Entry Permit):
- Copy of the patient's passport.
- Letter from the medical institution explaining the purpose of the visit.
- Medical insurance.
- Bank proof of financial support.
A private or government medical institution that holds a special license and is registered in the United Arab Emirates can act as the sponsor.
Guest visa in the UAE
A guest visa in the UAE is issued to applicants who plan to visit relatives residing in the Emirates. It is issued upon an invitation from a UAE resident and is initially valid for 30 days, with the option of extension. The extension application must be submitted by the sponsor.
Eligible sponsors can be:
- UAE residents.
- Companies registered in the UAE
- Licensed hotels with the authority to sponsor guests.
Documents required for obtaining a guest visa:
- Passport and its copy.
- Photographs.
If an individual is the sponsor, the following additional documents are required:
- Copy of the sponsor's passport
- A document proving the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor
- Medical insurance in the name of the applicant.
- Sponsor's bank statement, a salary certificate of the applicant, or a copy of the employment contract
If a legal entity is the sponsor, the following additional documents are needed:
- Copy of the owner's passport
- Copy of the company registration certificate in the UAE
- Medical insurance in the name of the applicant.
- Immigration card.
The sponsor must provide a refundable deposit of AED 2,000 for each guest.
