The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is certainly one of the most popular destinations in the world, with various opportunities in terms of tourism, education, technology, and more. If you are planning to visit UAE or are currently residing in UAE and want to apply for a UAE visa, however, you would be required to keep a few things in mind.
This article will provide you with just that and much more, with all the necessary information about UAE visas being covered here. We will go through all the different types of visas and entry permits, the associated fees, eligibility, terms and conditions, and more.
Difference Between Entry Permits and UAE Residence Visas
Entry permits and residence visas are different – while the former allows foreigners to enter and stay in UAE for a short span, a residence visa is issued for a foreigner already residing there. Before moving on to the details of the visas, let’s first understand how entry permits/visas differ from UAE residence visas.
Parameters
Entry Permits / UAE Visas
UAE Visas for Residents
Meaning
It is a documented proof of official permission to enter and stay in the UAE
It allows individuals to stay in the UAE for a long term
Issued To
Foreigners who are willing to visit UAE (a sponsor would be required for an entry permit)
Foreigners who are already staying in UAE with valid entry permits (sponsors meeting GDRFA's requirements can apply for the same)
Document
Physical or an electronic form
General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) will paste a residence visa on the passport
Issued By
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security or General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai
Types
For employment, family visit, medical treatment, mission, attending conferences, or tourism/transit
Green visa, golden visa, residence visa for retired, student visa, virtual work residence visa, UAE visa for family members, and so on
Validity
Mentioned in the document
Generally, the validity period is two months from the issue date. However, for GCC residents, the validity period is 30 days.
Depends on the type of residence visa and the sponsor
Generally, the validity period could be one, two, or three years
Keep in mind that if you live in the UAE under a residence permit and leave the country for more than 6 months, the UAE visa becomes invalid
Extension of Validity Period
Can be extended for 30 days twice, without the need to leave UAE
However, this rule does not apply to the following categories –
Tourists and visitors who are residents of GCC countries
Foreigners on special entry permits
Individuals on 96-hour permits for special missions
Residents accompanying GCC nationals
The sponsor can renew the UAE visa of a residence permit within 30 days before it expires. However, there is also an option to renew the same within the grace period, extending up to 6 months.
Duration of Stay
Depends on the type of entry permit
For instance, an entry permit for transit may allow staying for four days, while an entry permit for employment would allow a stay of 2 months
Depending on the type of UAE residence visa. For instance, a green visa is valid for 2 years, while a UAE visa for retired individuals would be valid for 5 years
Requirements
Visitors must have a valid passport of at least 6 months
A medical test and a security check are compulsory
Advantages of Having UAE Visas for Residents in UAE
If you obtain a UAE residence visa, you can enjoy the following benefits –
Access financial facilities like obtaining a car loan, personal loan and protection of insolvent natural persons
Easy process of opening a bank account with a valid UAE visa
Simple application process for driving licence
Travel visa-free to select destinations
Work and invest with a UAE visa conveniently
Enrol your children in government or private schools with a valid UAE visa
Different Types of Inbound UAE Visas for Residents in UAE
In this section, we will discuss the major types of UAE residence visas. It is to be noted that individuals working outside the UAE can also apply for UAE residence visas.
Let's go through each type of UAE visa for residents in detail –
UAE Visa for Residents Working in the UAE
Residents working in the UAE can apply for three types of visas – Standard Work Visa, Green Visa for Work, and Domestic Worker Visa based on the kind of work.
Standard Work Visa
Expatriates employed in the private sector, governmental organisation, or a free zone are eligible for a standard work visa
Concerned employers can apply for the visa on behalf of their employees
Generally, the standard work visa is issued for 2 years
Employers can apply for this type of UAE visa via any of the following channels –
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs official (GDRFA)Website
eChannels portal
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) application
Dubai Now application (available on the Google Play Store and the App Store)
Any of the typing centres registered with GDRFA or ICP
Green Work Visa
A green work visa allows individuals to sponsor themselves for 5 years without requiring sponsorship from UAE nationals or employers
For freelancers and self-employed individuals, their annual income should be at least AED 360,000 to apply for a green visa
Skilled employees' monthly income should not be less than AED 15,000 to apply for the UAE visa
Freelancers and self-employed individuals can apply for green visas with the following documents –
Proof of a bachelor’s degree or a specialised diploma
Proof of income for the last two years
Proof of financial solvency throughout their stay
A permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (for freelance or self-employed individuals)
The following documents should be submitted by the skilled employees to apply for the UAE visa (Green Visa) –
Employment contract
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
The applicant’s employment should be classified as first, second, or third occupational level as per the concerned authorities
Visa holders are required to follow the same process for the renewal of a green work visa
Golden visas enable individuals to live, work, or study in the UAE while enjoying the following benefits –
Long-term renewable visa with a validity period of 5 or 10 years
No need for sponsorship from employer or a UAE national
Even if the visa holder stays outside the UAE for more than 6 months, the UAE visa remains valid
Golden visa holders can sponsor their family members irrespective of their age as well as an unlimited number of domestic helpers
If the primary holder of the golden visa passes away, their family can reside in UAE until the end of the permit duration
The visa holder gets the entry visa for six months with multiple entries available
Real estate investors, public investment investors, entrepreneurs, doctors, scientists, executive directors, athletes, specialists in engineering and service, outstanding students, pioneers of humanitarian work, and frontlines workers can apply for the golden visa, provided they pass the eligibility criteria
Depending on the applicant’s occupation, the tenure of a UAE visa varies. The following table provides general information related to the validity period of a golden visa –
Categories Applying for Golden Visa
Validity Period of Golden Visa (Years)
Investors in public investments
10
Real estate investors
5
Entrepreneurs
5
Outstanding specialised talented individuals
10
University students
10
Pioneers of humanitarian work
10
Domestic Worker’s Visa
The Federal Law for domestic workers defines 18 occupations that fall under the employment category of document workers – workers under these categories can apply for a domestic worker's visa
Housemaids, sailors, guards, household shepherds, cooks, housekeepers, babysitters, gardeners, personal trainers, family drivers, and personal assistants are eligible for the UAE visa or domestic worker’s visa
UAE Visa for Residents Working Outside the UAE
Foreigners who are employed outside the UAE can apply for a UAE visa, namely a virtual work residence visa
UAE visa for residents working outside the UAE is valid for 1 year under self-employed terms and per the terms stated by the authorities
UAE Visa for Students Studying in the UAE
Students residing in the UAE can apply for a UAE visa
It should be noted that students can apply for this visa under the sponsorship of their parents or the accredited university where they are studying
Expatriate residents can sponsor their male children for up to 25 years. With respect to female children, the residents can sponsor their stay until they are married (irrespective of age).
Male students over 25 can also apply for this UAE visa, provided they submit evidence of attending a higher educational institute
Family members of the students can also stay in the UAE until they can afford accommodation expenses
The following documents are required to apply for a UAE visa for students studying in the UAE –
Certificate issued by the university stating the duration of the stay
Other general requirements specified by the authorities
UAE Visa for Family Members of Residents
Anyone staying in UAE can apply for a UAE residence visa for their families, provided they have a salary of at least AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation
Family members who are 18 years old or above are required to pass the medical examination test
Medically unfit people wouldn’t be granted the UAE visa
Sponsors can apply for the UAE visa for family members within 60 days after they enter the UAE under an entry permit
Regardless of the profession, each employee and employer can apply for this UAE visa
UAE Visa for Retired Residents of UAE
Retired residents above the age of 55 years can apply for a UAE visa under this category
The UAE visa for retired residents of UAE is valid for up to 5 years
You can renew this UAE visa if you meet the eligibility criteria
Here is the eligibility criteria to apply for the UAE visa for retired residents in the UAE –
The applicant must have worked outside the UAE for 15 years or less or should be 55 years old or more
They should qualify one of the following criteria given below –
Properties worth 1 million or more
Financial savings of not less than AED 1 million
Monthly income of AED 20,000 or AED 15,000 for Dubai
Bank statement for the last six months
UAE Visa for Residents Doing Business in the UAE
Investors participating in commercial activities in the UAE can apply for a green visa
The requirements for this visa include the following –
As per the investors' rating system, approval of the ICP on the investment would be required
Evidence of the investment
Approval of local authorities
Different Types of Outbound UAE Visas
After going through the features and terms of different types of inbound UAE visas, let’s quickly go through the outbound UAE visas and their specifications –
Entry Permits for Patients and Their Companion
Foreigners can enter the UAE to avail of medical treatment under the sponsorship of the treating facility where they would seek the treatment. It must be noted that the entry permit of the patient's companion can be extended only if the patient’s medical certificate specifies that they need to continue the treatment and that their companion’s stay would be required.
You can apply for a UAE visa depending on the Emirate you are living in. In Dubai, there are only two patient companion entry permits – single entry permits and multiple entry permits. In Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, on the other hand, these patients' companion entry permits are available – single entry visa, single entry visa for a family group, multiple entry visa, and multiple entry visa for a family group.
Transit Visas
The UAE Government issues two types of transit visas – the first one for 48 hours at no cost, and the other for 96 hours. You would be liable to pay the charges for the latter one.
Tourist Visas
As per the requirements of the visitor, tourist visas can be issued for 30 days or 90 days for single or multiple trip entries. Keep in mind that children under the age of 18 years, accompanied by adults, can apply for a free visa from 15 July to 15 September each year. Moreover, tourist visas cannot be obtained for female tourists below 18 years if they are not accompanied by their parents.
Discussed below are some of the general provisions related to inbound UAE visas that you must take note of –
Depending on the type of your residence visa, the validity would differ. Sponsored visas can be valid for 1, 2, or 3 years, while the ones allowing the option of self-sponsorship can be valid for 5 or 10 years.
Applicants above 18 years have to undergo a medical test to prove they are medically fit and pass a security check as well
If expatriate residents live outside the UAE for 180 days or more in one go, their visa would be cancelled automatically. However, this rule exempts some categories, including foreign wives of ex-pats, domestic helpers accompanying Emiratis who have the scholarship to study abroad, investors holding valid residence visas in UAE, and so on.
It is advisable to renew your residence visa before it expires, as you would be penalised if you continue to stay in the UAE with a cancelled or expired residence visa
Once your UAE visa expires, your Emirates ID would also expire
There are two modes through which UAE visas for residents can be cancelled –
Sponsors can visit any typing centres registered with the ICP to cancel their UAE visas. The cancellation form shall be filled out by the office employee on behalf of the sponsor and processed online.
The visa holder can also visit the official website of ICP or the ICP mobile application and follow the prompted instructions to cancel the UAE visa.
Required Documents to Apply for UAE Visas
Keep the following stack of documents handy while applying for UAE visas –
Emirates ID application receipt
Coloured personal photo of the dependant with a white background
Proof of owning a residence such as a house leasing contract
A valid copy of the sponsor's photograph with the residence permit stamp embossed on it
For dependants above the age of 18 years, a medical fitness certificate would be required
Entry permit
Sponsor’s job contract, if applicable
Please note that other documents, as per the type of UAE visa you are applying for, may be required. Similarly, you may be required to submit additional documents if requested by the concerned visa authorities.
Fees Schedule Associated with UAE Visas
Refer to the following tables to find out the general fees for different types of UAE visas –
Inbound UAE Visas Fees
Type of UAE Visa
Application Fees (AED)
Issuance Fees (AED)
eChannel Service Fees (AED)
Urgent Application Fees (AED)
Other Additional Fees (AED)
For a newborn
50
100 (per year)
50
100
Empost services – 35
For support workers
150
100
50
100
Domestic help recruitment charge – 5,000
Insurance – 2,000
For resident family members
100
100 (per year)
50
100
Empost service fee - 35
For work permits
100
100
50
NA
Empost service fee - 35
For other permits
50
100 (per year and per person)
50
NA
Empost service fee - 35
Note: The same fee schedule would be applicable for renewing UAE inbound visas
Fees for Cancellation of Residency Permit
Order Fee
AED 50
E-Service Fee
AED 10
Payment Method
Credit Card
UAE Entry Permit and Outbound Visa Fees
Type of Service
Fees Associated
Issuance of multiple-entry tourist visa
Application Fee – AED 100
Issuance Fee – AED 500
eChannel Service Fee – AED 50
Urgent Application Fee – AED 100
Amendment of entry permit
Request Fee – AED 50
E-Service Fee – AED 10
Issue exit permit
Request Fee – AED 100
Issuance Fee – AED 100
Electronic Services – AED 50
Extend entry permit
Request Fee – AED 100 for tourism and visit and AED 200 for residents of GCC countries
Issuance Fee – AED 500
E-Service Fee – AED 10
Cancellation of exit permit
Request Fee – AED 50
Issuance Fee – AED 50
Electronic Services Fee – AED 10
Extension of multiple-entry tourist visa
Application Fee – AED 100
Issuance Fee – AED 250
Electronic Services – AED 50
Departure fees for each passenger for a transit visa
AED 30
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