Thinking of living in the UAE for a longer period be it for work, pleasure or studies, then this article is a complete guide to UAE residence visa in 2021.
About the UAE Residence visa
The UAE residence visa is a visa or permit that is placed in the passport of a foreign national, to stay in the United Arab Emirates for a longer period. The validity period of this UAE residence visa is usually a period more than 6 months, 2 years, 3 years and as many as 10 years. Within the validity period of the visa, the holder of the residence visa is entitled to a multiple entry into the UAE. Renewals can also be done for as many times the visa holder wish till the duration of the purpose of their stay in the UAE.
Benefits of the UAE Residence Visa
- Bank account opening
Foreign nationals with UAE residence visa can open a bank account in the UAE for all transactions.
- Access to loans such as car loans or personal loan
Foreigners in UAE with valid residence visa are entitled to loan applications and pay at an agreed period of time.
- Access to visa free countries for the UAE
Residing in the UAE with a valid residence visa, the foreigner can travel to all visa free countries that have visa waiver agreement with the UAE.
- Your ward can enroll in government or private schools in the UAE
Children whose parents are living in the UAE legally with a residence visa or permit can enroll in all educational institution in the UAE.
- Access to driver’s license
Foreigners can also apply for driver’s license to drive in the United Arab Emirates.
- Access to health care service and insurance
Health care services and insurance can be accessed by the foreign nationals residing in the UAE with valid residence visa.
TYPES OF UAE Residency Visa
- UAE Work Visa:
This is a type of UAE residence visa that is issued to a foreigner employed in the UAE with a work permit.
- UAE Student Visa:
This type of residence visa allows a foreigner to live in the UAE upon accepting an admission to study in a UAE educational institution.
- UAE Family Visa:
This is a residence visa issued to foreigners to live with their relatives in the legally living in the UAE.
- UAE Investment Visa:
This category of UAE residence visa allows a foreigner to live in the UAE for a long period of time after establishing business or acquiring a property in the UAE.
- UAE Retirement Visa:
This is also a residence visa issued to a foreign national who has retired from work and have the financial capacity of living in the UAE.
How Can One Obtain A UAE Residence Visa
UAE residence visa can obtain by foreign nationals who find themselves in the following category:
- Employed foreign nationals working in UAE:
Foreign nationals who are employed by a UAE company or employer, government agency etc. are eligible to apply for a UAE residence visa upon accepting an employment offer in the UAE. Their residence visa is issued based on the duration of the agreed tenure of contract signed between the employer and the employee and should be renewed by the employer.
- Foreign student enrolled in a UAE college or university:
Foreign national who have accepted an admission to study in a University, College or institution in the UAE is eligible to apply for a UAE residence visa. The student is entitled to a multiple entry visa issued till the end of their study in the UAE. They can also travel in and out of the UAE within the validity period of their residence permit.
- A dependent on a foreign national residing in the UAE:
Children or aged persons who depend on foreign nationals living in the UAE can apply for a UAE residence visa by virtue of the residency status of their relative in the United Arab Emirates. Till the validity period of residency visa of their relatives in the UAE, they are also permitted to travel within and outside the UAE.
- Owner of a property in the UAE
Foreign nationals who own a property in the UAE are permitted to live in the UAE for a long period of time by applying for residency in the United Arab Emirates. The value of the property in the United Arab Emirates should cost more 1 million dirham (AED 1,000,000), the property should be fully furnished that is ready to accommodate the foreigner and also the foreign national should be the full owner of the property. The foreigner is eligible to apply for multiple entries residency visas to enable them live in the UAE for a long period of time.
- Investors setting up businesses in the UAE:
This is the fastest and easiest way of obtaining a residence visa in the UAE. In this category, the investor applying for the residency visa should have a business in the UAE registered in their name under the business registration authorities in the United Arab Emirates. Meeting these requirements, the investor can be issued a visa to live in the UAE for a long period of time.
Required Documents To Apply For UAE Residence Visa
To apply for the UAE residence visa, there are some supporting documents that is required to be attached to the visa application form, such as:
- The visa application: This form can be obtained from the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
- Valid passport
The mandatory requirement is the passport which should be valid for 6 months and have some blank pages in the book.
- Two passport size pictures which meet the UAE photo specifications. The required photo size of the UAE is 4*6 with 600 resolutions. The applicant is to attach 2 passport size photo taken recently to the application form.
- Entry visa
The applicant will have to attach scan photocopy of the tourist visa that was used to enter the UAE.
- Proof of your sponsor’s legal residency or UAE citizenship.
Unlike investors who will have to apply for their residence visa by themselves, all other applicants will have to apply through their sponsor in the UAE. Applicants applying to work in the UAE, the employer will have to attach the contract letter, business license and all relevant certificates. Applicants who are also joining their close relatives must attach a social prove of their relationship with the sponsor in the UAE.
- Meet the UAE medical fitness test. The UAE have their medical requirement that foreigners intending to live in the UAE for a longer period must meet. The medical test conducted comprises of HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis, etc. The test is mostly conducted by government hospitals.
- Proof of UAE health insurance plan.
The health insurance plan should have an annual claim limit of AED 150,000 covering emergency situations, medications, injuries, maternal delivery for pregnant patients etc while in the UAE.
How To Apply For The UAE Residence Visa
- The sponsor will apply for an entry permit for the applicant through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) portal to enter UAE as a tourist.
- While in the UAE, the sponsor will once again apply for your residence visa by providing the above documents.https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services?id=71ea8dd6-56c3-11ea-0320-0050569629e8
- They will pay for the visa fee which is mostly charged depending on the duration of the visa. Residence visa fee for a year is AED 100. There is also a processing fee that is paid depending on the location where the applicant is applying from.
- Residence visa is approved and affixed in the applicant’s passport.
Conclusion
The applicant is to ensure they abide by the conditions on the approved residence visa and all the laws of the UAE to avoid their visa from being terminated. Also foreigners in the UAE are to leave the UAE as stated on the visa, as overstaying may result in fines and imprisonment.
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