Getting A Residence Visa In Dubai: Your Pathway To Calling The Emirate Home

Dubai’s educational landscape reflects and caters to its diverse community. Over 200 nationalities work and live together in this city. That is having access to world-class educational institutions with diverse programs and curricula. Individuals wishing to relocate to and legally reside in Dubai will find flexible and diverse residency visa policies. That includes multi-year residency visas for investors, students, employees, remote workers and retirees.

Dubai residence visa holders can also sponsor immediate family members. A valid residency visa is necessary to apply for an Emirates ID card, open a bank account and a UAE driver’s license, subscribe to Etisalat and du phone and home packages, and get other services.

Employee Visa

When starting work for a company in Dubai, the employing company must sponsor the expatriate who joined it. It must apply for entry, and work permits for the new employee and sponsor his residence. The duration of the residence visa is one or two years, according to the employment contract terms.

Employees and their companies can also sponsor their immediate family members, subject to a minimum wage of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 with the cost of housing.

Real Estate Investor Visa

Buying a property in Dubai entitles the buyer to obtain a residence visa. According to the UAE’s real estate investment visa law, the property must be ready upon purchase with a value of not less than 1 million dirhams. Those who obtain residency by purchasing the property can care for their sponsored persons. 

Dubai Investor Visa

A foreign investor wishing to establish a business in Dubai or invest in Dubai or any of its free zones can obtain a residence visa.

The investor visa in a company is granted to someone who owns shares with a value of not less than 72,000 AED or seeks to establish a company with a capital of the same value.

The investor visa falls within the golden visa program. That grants the investor a long-term visa for himself and those under his sponsorship, subject to some conditions according to the value of the investment and the capital.

Remote Work Visa

Employees outside the country wishing to move to Dubai are entitled to a virtual work visa. This visa lasts a full year, subject to renewal, within the virtual work visa system. According to several criteria and conditions, that is intended for owners of emerging projects and entrepreneurs.

If you are an employee, you must provide the following requirements:

• Proof of employment through an annual contract from your current employer
• A minimum monthly salary of $5,000
• Submit a salary certificate for the last month and a bank statement for the previous 3 months

If you are the employer, you must submit:

• A proof of ownership of the company for one year or more
• A monthly income of at least $5,000
• Submit a bank statement for the company’s account for the last 3 months 

Student Visa

An expatriate under 18 who wishes to enroll in a college or university in Dubai can obtain a student visa sponsored by a parent (for male students only) or sponsored by one of the accredited colleges and universities in Dubai.

This visa is usually for one year, renewable for the same period upon presentation of official proof of continuing education issued by the relevant higher educational institution.

A 5-year golden residence visa is granted to university students inside or outside the country. That has a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.75 upon graduation.

Cultural Visa and Talent Visa

A 10-year cultural visa is granted to creative talents in literature and culture, such as arts, heritage, history, knowledge study, and creative industries.

Currently, only current country residents can apply for this visa if they meet at least 5 of the mandatory requirements set by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority in cooperation with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai.

A 10-year residency is also granted to talents and researchers in scientific and knowledge fields, such as doctors, specialists, scientists, and inventors.

Retirement Visa

Retired expatriates over 55 can apply for a 5-year residence visa if the requirements are met.

For a retiree to qualify for a five-year residency visa, these requirements must be met: an investment in real estate of AED 2 million, financial savings of at least AED 1 million, or a fixed income of at least AED 20,000 per month.