As the world keeps on developing, people are more and more tend to search for their own place in different countries all across the globe. Based on the climate, business opportunities, real estate market and many other factors, we carefully choose an alternative place to call home.

The UAE is an impressive and modern country with one of the most iconic buildings, malls and hotels known worldwide. All these make the UAE highly popular among tourists. Besides the beautiful scenery, everyone can find something for themselves in this country.

The UAE plays a key role in global trade processes, thus providing incredible business and career opportunities in various spheres. Its life quality is among the highest in the world, making it one of the best places to live and work.

If you have decided that the UAE is your next destination, your first step is to get a visa. In this article, we will provide you with a list of residency visas, along with the requirements and documents you need to get each type of visa.

Benefits of Acquiring a UAE Residence Visa

Besides having 24/7 access to one of the most magnificent skyscrapers and most delicious cuisine in the world, there are some other benefits you can acquire by getting a long-term residence visa in the UAE. These benefits include:

• Getting a driver’s licence in the UAE;
• Access to schools (including private) for your children;
• Access to health benefits like insurance and government services;
• Entering some foreign countries without a visa;
• Applying for various types of bank loans;
• Opening a bank account.

Of course, to access these benefits, firstly, you need to get a visa. For this, you have to be eligible for one of the criteria required by the UAE.

Am I qualified for a UAE Residence Visa?

Each long-term residence visa has its own requirements based on individual specifics. Each category will be thoroughly described later for each visa type.

However, here are the general categories to put into perspective whether to proceed with applying for the UAE visa at this moment. You can apply for a long-term residence visa in case you:

• Have an investment in the UAE;
• Acquired property in the UAE
• Have plans to retire in the UAE;
• Have connections to the UAE’s citizens or residents;
• Obtained a job in the UAE, whether it’s for a government or private company;
• Became a student in the UAE.

Residency Visa Type in the UAE

Below, we provide you with a detailed list of the UAE residency visa types. This will help you learn what visa you are qualified for as well as decide which one you may want to apply for in the future.

1. Green Visa

To draw more talented and highly skilled people into the country, the UAE recently introduced a new visa type — the Green Visa. It is also eligible for investors and employees in the UAE.

This visa type has several benefits that are not provided with other visas. Such advantages include:

• Option to choose whether to work for the UAE company or be a business owner;
• Long validity period;
• Access to government services like health care and education;
• Family members’ sponsorship.

The requirements for the visa vary based on your work occupation and area of expertise.

For UAE company’s partners or investors:

• Investment of AED 1 million with confirmation or authorisation (in case the person has more than 1 licence, the total amount will be evaluated);
• Authorisation from the regional administrations;

For the employees and experts:

• Salary starting at AED 15,000;
• Education level – BA degree and higher;
• Accurate employment contract;
• Being categorised as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd occupational level (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation ranking).

For the freelancers:

• Annual income for the past 2 years starting from AED 360,000;
• Submitted permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in UAE;
• Education level – BA degree and higher.

Here’s the list of documents you need to prepare before applying for the Green visa:

• Passport (it must be valid for at least 6 more months);
• Photo (passport-sized);
• Application form
• Valid entry permit
• Qualification proof;
• Medical statements from trustworthy local authorities;
• Health insurance;
• Proof of employment / freelancing permit from MOHRE.

This UAE visa type is valid for the duration of 5 years. The same time period applies to the sponsored parties, like family members.

2. UAE 10-Year Golden Visa

The UAE 10-Year Golden Visa is also called a Long-Term Investor Visa. To acquire this specific visa type, the applicant has to meet some specific requirements.

To be eligible for the 10-year Golden Visa, a person must meet several conditions in relation to public investments in the UAE. Here is the list of requirements to fill out to apply for this visa type:

• Invest. You must have an investment in the UAE starting at AED 10 M.
• Own. One of the requirements includes being the owner of a company with capital starting at AED 10 M.
• Being a partner. The possibility of getting this visa type opens up if you are a partner in a UAE company. Keep in mind that your share value must start at AED 10 M.
• Combined investment. You can also invest in all 3 points mentioned above. This includes investment, company ownership and being a partner in another company. To apply for the visa, the total amount of revenue and investment of all points must not be less than AED 10 M. This requirement applies only if 60% of all investments are connected to sectors other than real estate.

If you are credible for all or one of the requirements mentioned above, there are still some procedures to follow. Please check if you are eligible for these guidelines:

• Loan prohibition. You cannot loan money for the investment.
• Investment retention. Before applying for a visa, the investment must be retained for 3 years.
• Financial assets. The total amount of the financial holdings of the applicant must start at AED 10 M.
• Including your business partners. In case you, as an investor, want your partners to be part of the investment, every one of them has to invest no less than AED 10 M.

The UAE Long-Term Investor Visa is one of the most desirable visa types. The main benefit is, of course, the duration of the visa – 10 years. The visa will be automatically renewed.

3. UAE 5-Year Golden Visa

If you are working in the real estate sphere and interested in properties all over the world, this visa type might be for you. The UAE 5-Year Golden Visa, which is also called the Property Investor Visa, provides an opportunity to apply for a residency visa via, as you already guessed from the second name, investing in property in the UAE.

To be eligible for this visa type, you have to meet the next requirements:

• Property retention. The property you invested in should be retained for 3 years.
• Loan prohibition. The money you use for the investment can not be loaned.
• Value. The starting value of the invested property must be AED 5 m.

Before applying for this visa, you have to collect a specific list of documents. The mentioned list includes:

• Your passport;
• The set of your photos (visa type);
• A separate scan of your previous visas;
• Financial statement from the bank;
• Good Conduct Certificate ;
• The title deed of your investment property;
• Health insurance;
• Utility bill.

This visa type is perfect if you are planning to make some property investments and have the UAE in mind as a residency country in the future. The visa is valid for 5 years and is automatically renewed.

4. UAE Retirement Visa

If you are planning to spend some of your days in the UAE after finishing your work arrangements, this visa type is for you. To apply for the UAE Retirement Visa, the UAE resident has to be over 55 years old.

However, there are some other requirements that need to be met. If you are planning to retire in the UAE, the next regulation should be followed:

• Savings. Your savings amount must start at AED 1 m.
• Income. The beneficial occasion for the applicant might be to still have monthly income. The revenue must start at AED 20,000.
• Property investment. The applicant should have a real estate investment starting at AED 2 M. In this case, you are eligible for the Long-Term Investor Visa.
• Combined revenue. The income from your savings, as well as property ownership, must come to ED 2 M.

Based on what requirement you are eligible for to get this type of visa, you have to collect a specific set of documents. The papers you have to collect include:

• Savings – proof letter of savings (in the UAE) and retirement;
• Income – financial bank statement (6-month duration) as well as proof letter of income and retirement;
• For property investment – Title dead (copy);
• Combined revenue – Title dead (copy) and proof letter of savings.

No matter the requirement you base your visa application on, you still have to present the next documents:

• your passport;
• Current UAE visa;
• the UAE ID;
• Marriage documentation (eligible when you apply as spouses).

If you already have a UAE residency and are making your retirement plans, the UAE can be the ideal place. The UAE retirement visa lasts for the duration of 5 years and can be renewed if you want to spend more days there.

5. UAE Student Visa

When entering a university or any other academic establishment in the UAE, you are eligible for the UAE Student Visa.

To apply for this type of visa, you require the following documents:

• Photo (passport-size)
• Copy of the passport (the passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months);
• Copy of the visa, if there is one;
• Receipt for the visa and tuition fees;
• Copy of admission letter.

The UAE Student Visa is valid for one year and must be renewed by the student before the study year is over. However, for unique achievements, students can apply for a five-year visa. The requirements for this visa type include:

• for the secondary school – 95% grade;
• for the universities – GPA minimum of 3.75.

6. UAE Employment Visa

After the foreigner is hired by the UAE company to move and work within the country, the person has to apply for a specific visa type to proceed. The UAE Employment Visa allows the employee to work and live in the UAE lawfully.

The hiring company can act as a sponsor and cover all expenses as well as provide the necessary documents for the individual to receive the visa. Depending on the company ownership type, the applicant must provide specific documents. The employment company may be a:

• Government-owned;
• Mainland company;
• Freezone company.

If the hiring company is a freezone company or a government-owned company, you need to provide copies of the documents listed below.

The company should provide:

• Company Immigration Card;
• Its Trade License;
• The Office Lease Agreement;
• Visa application that was filled out online.

The individual should provide:

• The passport;
• Photo (special visa type);
• Company letter (offer letter or an appointment letter);
• Certificate of education;
• Previous UAE residency visa, if there is one;
• Previous Emirates ID, if there is one;
• Tourist Visa, if there is one;
• Personal health insurance.

If the hiring company is a mainland company, you need to provide copies of the documents listed below.

The company should provide:

• Its Trade License;
• Company Labour Card;
• Company Immigration Card.

The individual should provide:

• The passport;
• Photo (special visa type);
• Certificate of education;
• Previous UAE residency visa, if there is one;
• Previous Emirates ID, if there is one;
• Tourist Visa, if there is one;
• Personal health insurance.

Depending on the type of company that hires a foreign employee, visa duration can vary. If the hiring company is a freezone company or a government-owned company, the employment visa is valid for 3 years. If the hiring company is a mainland company, the employee visa is valid for 2 years.

7. UAE Company Investor Visa

The UAE Company Investor Visa is obtained by the residents from other countries, who are shareholders of the UAE company or actually own the UAE company. At the same time, this visa can be acquired by the applicant who is only planning to open an enterprise in the country.

This type of residency visa provides the applicant with a legal right to work and live in the country for its duration. Based on what type of company you invest in, you will be required to present various sets of documents.

If you invest in a freezone company or a government-owned company, you need to provide copies of the documents listed below.

The company should provide:

• Company Immigration Card;
• Its Trade License;
• Share Certificate
• Company’s Memorandum of Association
• Certificate of Incorporation

The Investor should provide:

• The passport;
• Photo (special visa type);
• Previous UAE visa, if there is one;
• Previous Emirates ID, if there is one;
• Financial bank statement.

If you invested in a mainland company, you must provide copies of the following documents.

The company should provide:

• Its Trade License;
• Local Service Agreement;
• Company Immigration Card;
• Partnership contract, if there is one;
• Memorandum of Association (LLC) ;
• Partners list (LLC).

The individual should provide:

• The passport;
• Photo (special visa type);
• Certificate of education;
• Previous UAE residency visa, if there is one;
• Previous Emirates ID, if there is one;
• Financial bank statement.

The UAE Company Investor Visa is valid for 3 years. If needed, you can apply for its renewal.

8. UAE Family Visa

For individuals who have already acquired any type of UAE residence visa, it is possible to become a sponsor to their family and help acquire a visa as well.

The UAE Family Visa can be made for the immediate family of the resident. The immediate family includes:

• Spouse;
• Children;
• Parents.

There is a list of requirements for the sponsor that need to be met to apply for this visa type. Such regulations vary based on the sponsor’s occupation and the family member the visa is for.

When the sponsor is an investor

If the sponsor has an investor residency visa type, for each family member he must pay AED 3,000 (the sum is refundable).

When the sponsor is an employee from a foreign country

If the sponsor has an employment residency visa type, the sponsor’s salary must start at AED 4,000, or the salary can start at AED 3,000 plus the monthly rent.

When the sponsor applies for visas for the parents

When a resident is a sponsor for the parents, the person’s salary must start at AED 20,0000. The sum is calculated for both parents as sponsees, and in case one of the parents is deceased, the sponsor has to provide the death certificate.

Before applying, please check the list of documents needed to receive the visa.

The documents ought to be provided by the sponsor:

• Passport copy;
• UAE residency visa copy;
• Original Emirates ID;
• Utility bill;
• Labour card and contract by Ministry of Labour copy;
• Ejari or Tawtheeq Certificate;
• Bank statement, if applicable;
• If the sponsor is employed by Freezone or a government-owned company – an Arabic salary certificate.

The documents ought to be provided by the sponsee:

• Passport (it must be valid for at least 6 more months);
• Personal photo (passport-sized);
• Marriage certificate (for when the sponsee is a spouse);
• Previous visa copy, if there is one;
• Birth certificate (for when the sponsee is a child);
• Health insurance.

The duration of the family depends highly on the sponsor’s visa type and status. Firstly, when the sponsor’s visa is cancelled for any reason, the spouse’s visa will also be cancelled. The cancellation period is 30 days.

Secondly, the usual validity time for a family visa is 1-3 years. However, the validity can be prolonged based on the sponsor’s visa type.

9. UAE Domestic Workers Visa

This is another visa type where the resident becomes a sponsor. However, on this occasion, you are acquiring a visa for a domestic employee. The list can include:

• private chefs;
• drivers;
• maids;
• butlers;
• etc.

To become a sponsor for the domestic workers visa, the resident must follow the following requirements:

• Residency and family status. The sponsor must have UAE residency as well as have their family living together in the UAE.
• Family relations. The sponcee can not be family-related to the sponsor.
• Salary. The sponsor’s salary should start at AED 25,000.
• Requirement for the drivers. If you are applying for a domestic worker’s visa for the driver, the sponsor must have at least 2 personal cars registered in the UAE under their name.

Please check the list of documents that ought to be provided to apply for the domestic worker’s visa.

Documents that must be provided by the sponsor:

• Copy of the passport;
• Copy of the residency visa;
• Visa application
• Photo (passport-size)
• Copy of the Labour contract;
• Blood relation absence (only when the sponsor and the sponsee are of the same nationality)
• Finansial bank statement;
• Copy of the health insurance;
• Tenancy contract (the property must have at least 2 bedrooms);
• Salary certificate

Documents that must be provided by the sponsee:

• Photo (passport-size)
• Copy of the passport;
• Copy of the visa;
• Medical fitness certificate.

The usual validity period for a domestic worker’s visa is 1 year. However, the sponsor can apply for the renewal or cancellation at any time.

10. UAE Specialist Resident Visa

You can apply for the UAE Specialist Resident Visa when having special merits in various science spheres. One of the obligatory requirements for this visa type is ongoing occupation.

The conditions of getting this visa are very specific, based on the applicant’s area of expertise and include:

• For the unique skills – publication in the worldwide-known journals or having a patent;
• For the investors – both approval of the Ministry of Economy and patent that provides outstanding significance to the UAE economy;
• For the Scientists – being a winner of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence or accreditation by the Emirates Scientist Council;
• For the directors – ownership of the globally recognised company;
• For the culture and arts – accreditation by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.

The requirements differ for the doctors and specialists. For people working in this sphere to apply for this visa type, they need to meet at least 2 of the conditions listed below:

• Being a member of an esteemed organisation (for their specific area of expertise);
• High contribution to the global research;
• PhD from the top 500 universities on the planet plus working experience of 10 years at least;
• Priority recognition of the speciality in the UAE;
• Having a special award or a diploma in the sphere;
• A published book or an article in a globally known establishment.

The UAE Specialist Resident Visa has a validity of 10 years and can also be prolonged when the applicant still meets the requirements.