If you would love to travel, study or work abroad, there is no doubt that the United Arab Emirates would be one of your most suitable destinations. The UAE offers attractive incentives and a variety of residency options which makes the experience of living in the UAE unparalleled.
Whether for the purpose of living and working, studying, or scientific and academic development, expatriates from various different countries and nationalities may apply for a residence visa in the UAE if they fall into one of the following categories:
Applicants for residency visas, whether applying for the first time or for the renewal of an existing visa, must undergo a medical fitness assessment if they are aged 18 and over, and must also pass a security check test in order to be eligible for an Emirates ID Card.
This ID Card is a form of identification provided by the UAE Government to its lawful residents.
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Depending on the type of visa, the duration of stay varies from one to three years.
In accordance with Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2018, there are now additional categories available where applicants who comply with certain requirements can obtain a long-term residence visa for a period of ten (10) years or five (5) years for those expatriate residents choosing to retire in the UAE.
As mentioned previously, the UAE recently implemented a system for the granting of long-term residency visas for periods of 5 and 10 years to investors, entrepreneurs and professional talents. These are the so-called, “Golden Visas”.
In order to qualify for the new long-term stay visa, applicants must meet certain criteria as discussed below. Once granted, these long-term residency visa will also extend to the families of eligible applicants and will be automatically renewed should the applicant continue to meet the required criteria.
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has prescribed the following categories of applicants who may be eligible for a 10-year residency visa:
Applicants who have made public investments in the UAE with a value of not less than AED 10 million, provided that any non-real estate investments are more than 60% of the total of such investments. Furthermore, the investment amount may not be the subject of a loan and must be retained for at least 3 years.
The UAE welcomes persons with specialized talents and researchers in the fields of science, technology and knowledge, including scientists, doctors, specialists, inventors and creative individuals in the fields of art and culture.
The granting of such visas is subject to the following requirements:
Entrepreneurs may be granted a renewable five-year residency visa for families and up to three employees, provided that the entrepreneur or investor has an existing project in an approved economic field with a minimum startup capital value of AED 500,000 or where an entrepreneur or investor has the endorsement of an approved business incubator within the UAE.
Such students include:
Note that the scope of the 5-year residency will extend to include students’ families as well.
“Golden visas (and all other visas) for the UAE are issued by the relevant authorities of the United Arab Emirates, our service is limited to advising you, assisting you with completing requirements, and if applicable representing you before the relevant authorities.”