Residency Visas in the UAE

A residence visa based on employment grants the right to legally live and work in the UAE for a specified period, with the option for renewal.

1. Standard Employment Visa

A foreign national may obtain a work visa if they:

• Has received a job offer in the private sector (Mainland company or Free Zone).
• Has received a job offer in the public sector.

The standard validity period for a work visa is 2 years. Upon receiving a job offer, the sponsoring company (employer) must submit an application for the standard residence visa.

The employment contract between the employer and the employee outlines the terms of employment, including salary, weekly working hours, and any additional conditions. This contract helps protect the rights of both parties in case of disputes.

Key requirements for obtaining a work visa include having a valid job offer, a signed employment contract, completion of a medical examination, submission of biometric data, and, for certain positions, a legalized document confirming the educational qualifications. The employer acts as the sponsor and is responsible for submitting the visa application to the relevant authorities.

An approximate list of documents required to obtain an investor work visa in the UAE (this list may be extended depending on specific circumstances):

• Employment Offer
• Colored copy of the passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Photograph with a white background
• Legalized copy of educational certificate (required for certain positions)

2. Green Work Visa

The UAE Green Visa is a 5-year residence permit that does not require sponsorship.

Who is eligible to apply for the Green Visa?

1. Freelancers and/or self-employed persons holding a permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, a bachelor’s degree certificate, proof of annual self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 for the past two years, or proof of financial solvency throughout their stay in the UAE.
2. Skilled Employees qualified employees classified under the first, second, or third professional level according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s list, holding a valid employment contract, a bachelor’s degree, and earning a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000.

If you have purchased property in the UAE, you are eligible to obtain a 2-year investor visa or a long-term 10-year Gold visa.

The visa duration depends on the value of the property purchased: if the property is worth over AED 750,000, you can apply for a 2-year investor visa. If the property value exceeds AED 2,000,000, you may qualify for the 10-year Gold visa.

In cases of joint ownership, the same conditions apply. However, the spouses’ ownership shares must be equal to qualify for the visa. If the shares are unequal, the owner of the larger share can apply as the primary visa holder and sponsor the other spouse.

Another requirement is that the property must be ready — if it is still under construction, the completion level should be at least 50%. If you own multiple properties, their combined value can be considered when applying for the visa.

For joint ownership, each applicant’s share must be at least AED 750,000 or AED 2,000,000 for the investor and Gold visas, respectively. The 10-year Gold visa also grants you the right to sponsor 10-year visas for your immediate family members.

The UAE Talent Gold Visa is a long-term residence permit that allows foreign talents to live, work, or study in the UAE. Distinguished specialized talents include:

• Doctors
• Scientists
• Creative Professionals in Culture and Arts
• Inventors
• Specialists in Scientific Fields
• Athletes
• Doctorate Degree Holders
• Experts in Engineering and Science

For each specialty, a qualification confirmation letter is required from the relevant government department, such as the Ministry of Health, Department of Culture and Arts, Ministry of Education, and others.

1. Investor/Partner Visa

The most suitable type of visa for entrepreneurs and investors who wish to establish their own business or invest in an existing business in the UAE. Typically, the investor visa process includes company formation and completion of the standard visa procedures.

The investor visa grants the holder the right to reside in the UAE and freely enter and exit the country throughout the visa validity period. An investor visa holder in Dubai can also become a UAE tax resident, open a bank account, obtain a driver’s license, and more. This visa also allows the holder to sponsor their spouse, children, and parents for entry into the UAE.

An approximate list of documents required to obtain an investor visa related to company formation in the UAE (the list may be extended depending on specific circumstances):

• Colored copy of passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Photograph on a white background
• Copy of the Memorandum of Association (MOA)
• Copy of the Company Trade License

1. Entrepreneur Gold Visa

This visa is available to entrepreneurs with economic projects of a technical or future-oriented nature, based on risk and innovation.
Additionally, you need confirmation letters from the following parties:
A UAE auditor confirming that the project’s value is at least AED 500,000
The relevant Emirate authorities confirming that the project is technical or future-oriented
An accredited business incubator in the UAE confirming the organization and management of the project

1. Student Visa

Students planning to study in the UAE can apply for a student visa. To do so, they must receive an acceptance letter from a recognized educational institution in the UAE. The institution will provide the necessary documents, and the student or their guardian must submit the application to the relevant immigration authorities.

2. Student Gold Visa

This type of visa is issued to university students and high school pupils.
High school students are eligible for a 5-year Gold Visa if they are national-level top achievers (with a minimum score of 95% in a public or private secondary school), have a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education, and meet other established criteria.

Outstanding university students may obtain a 10-year Gold Visa provided that:
The university is rated A or B according to the Ministry of Education ranking.
A recommendation letter from the university and an academic transcript confirming a high GPA are submitted.
Other conditions are met.

Exceptional students from foreign universities may be granted a 10-year Gold Visa provided that:
The university is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide according to a ranking system recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education.
The student has a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.
Other conditions are met.

If you invest in a local investment fund, you may be eligible for a 10-year Gold Visa, subject to the following conditions:

Submission of a letter from a UAE-accredited investment fund confirming that the investor holds a deposit of at least AED 2 million; or submission of a valid commercial or industrial license and memorandum of association confirming that the investor’s capital is at least AED 2 million.
Submission of a letter from the Federal Tax Authority confirming that the investor pays a minimum of AED 250,000 annually to the government.
Additionally, you must:

• Fully own the invested capital; it must not be financed through a loan.
• Provide proof of valid medical insurance for yourself and your family (if applicable).

If a family member already holds a long-term residence permit in the UAE, they can act as your visa sponsor.

If you hold a 2-, 5-, or 10-year visa yourself, you can sponsor visas of the corresponding duration for your children, spouse, and parents. To be eligible as a sponsor, you must also meet certain criteria, such as minimum salary requirements.

Obtaining a freelancer visa in the UAE allows you to legally provide your professional services to clients.

To apply for a freelancer visa, you need to select the field in which you offer your expert services. This can include consulting, event management, education, film production, new media and entertainment, as well as professions such as artist, singer, photographer, and more. You will also need to obtain a freelancer license from the relevant Free Zone authority, with fees varying depending on the chosen field of work.

Issued to individuals employed by foreign companies or owning businesses outside the UAE who wish to reside permanently in the UAE.