UAE Residence Visa

The UAE is a popular destination for families, students, professionals, and business people from all over the world. Yet, obtaining a dependent visa, family visa, or spouse visa can often be challenging. To help you out, we’ve broken down the UAE residence visa requirements for Dubai in a simple and easy-to-understand way!

How do I apply for a UAE residence visa?

Applying for a UAE residence visa involves several steps and requirements, which may vary depending on your specific circumstances, such as your nationality, purpose of stay, and the type of visa you are applying for. Here’s a general overview of the process:

1. Entry Permit: First, you need an entry permit to enter the UAE. This can be a tourist visa, transit visa, or visit visa, depending on your purpose and duration of stay.
2. Sponsorship: For a residence visa, you need a sponsor. This could be an employer (for an employment visa), a family member who is a resident or citizen of the UAE (for a family visa), or a university (for a student visa).
3. Medical Examination: Once in the UAE, you must undergo a medical examination, which includes a blood test and chest X-ray to screen for infectious diseases.
4. Health Insurance: Obtaining health insurance is mandatory for residents in some emirates, like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
5. Emirates ID Application: You need to apply for an Emirates ID, which involves biometric scanning and fingerprinting.
6. Visa Stamping: After passing the medical tests and obtaining health insurance, your sponsor must apply for your residence visa to be stamped in your passport.
7. Documents Required: The typical documents required include your passport, passport-size photographs, entry permit, medical test results, health insurance certificate, and your sponsor’s relevant documents.
8. Online Application: The process can be initiated online through various UAE government portals, such as the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA), depending on the emirate.
9. Fees: Be prepared to pay the applicable fees for visa processing, medical examination, Emirates ID, and other administrative costs.
10. Duration and Renewal: Residence visas can be issued for 1, 2, or 3 years and can be renewed.

It’s important to check the specific requirements and procedures for the type of residence visa you are applying for, as they can vary. Also, keep in mind that regulations and procedures may change, so it’s advisable to consult the latest information from the UAE government’s official portals or contact the UAE embassy or consulate in your country for the most current guidance.

What documents are required for the UAE residence visa?

The documents required for a UAE residence visa can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. However, there are common documents that are generally needed for most residence visa applications. These include:

1. Passport: A valid passport with at least six months’ validity.
2. Passport-Sized Photographs: Recent colour photographs with a white background.
3. Entry Visa: A copy of your entry visa, whether it’s a tourist, visit, or employment visa.
4. Emirates ID Application: Proof of application for an Emirates ID, which is mandatory for all UAE residents.
5. Medical Test Results: A medical fitness certificate obtained after undergoing the required medical tests in the UAE
6. Health Insurance: proof of health insurance coverage, which is mandatory in some emirates like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
7. Sponsor’s Documents: If you are being sponsored, documents from the sponsor are required. For employment visas, this includes a copy of the company’s trade licence and the employment contract. For family visas, the sponsor’s Emirates ID, visa, and proof of relationship (like marriage or birth certificates) are needed.
8. Proof of Residence: This could be a tenancy agreement or utility bill in your name or your sponsor’s name.
9. Educational Certificates: For certain job categories, attested educational certificates may be required.
10. Salary Certificate or Bank Statements: For family visa applications, the sponsor may need to provide a salary certificate or bank statements to prove financial capability.
11. No Objection Certificate (NOC): In some cases, a NOC from the sponsor or previous employer might be required.
12. Investors: Investors might need to provide documents related to their investment, such as a trade licence, partnership contract, or proof of investment.

It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required depending on your specific circumstances and the type of visa you are applying for. The requirements can also vary between different emirates in the UAE. Always check the latest guidelines from official UAE government sources or consult with a legal expert in UAE immigration law for the most accurate and up-to-date information.