The United Arab Emirates has always been a desirable place to live and work. You may be considering migrating to the UAE and becoming a resident, given the UAE government’s recent announcements offering new forms of entrance and residency licenses.
If that’s the case, here’s all you need to know about who can live in the UAE.
Who can become a UAE resident?
According to u.ae, the official website of the UAE government, foreigners can live in the UAE as residents if they are:
- if you are employed in the UAE, your employer will apply for and sponsor your residence visa while you are there.
- if you work for the government, the government body will apply for and sponsor your visa while you are in the UAE.
- investors in a UAE business – in this scenario, the investor will process and apply for his own visa using his company’s registered name as a sponsor.
- Purchase a property in the UAE; in this scenario, the owner’s residence visa will be sponsored by the property.
- dependents that are sponsored by:
– someone who works in the United Arab Emirates
– a UAE investor or business owner
– a property owner in the UAE.
Dependents include children, parents, maids, and close relatives.
- university students in the UAE who are sponsored by their universities – in this situation, the university will apply for and sponsor your visa in its name.
- retired residents – specific rules apply in this scenario.
Conditions for getting a residence visa
A resident visa requires candidates who are 18 years or older to take a medical exam to establish that they are medically healthy, according to u.ae. They must also pass a security check and submit an application to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security for an Emirates ID card (ICP).
How is a residence visa issued?
When a foreigner enters the UAE via an entry permit, short or long-term tourist or visit visa, or a residency visa, he or she is already within the country.
After you’ve obtained an entry permit, you’ll need to begin the visa application process. It’s vital to remember that the sponsor is responsible for all visa processing charges (including medical fitness tests and Emirates ID fees). If your employer is your sponsor, the corporation is legally obligated to cover the cost of your visa application. You must fund all charges if you are sponsoring your family or a domestic worker.
Validity of a residence visa
The number of days a person can stay on a residence visa depends on the type of visa and the sponsor. It can be for a year, two years, three years, five years, or ten years.
Investors, talented professionals, great students, and extraordinary talents in the UAE can now apply for a Green Visa (five years) or a Golden Visa (10 years) under the UAE’s new long-term residency visa programs.