UAE has several visa options with the aim to attract global and retain talents and experts from all over the world

The United Arab Emirates has significantly expanded its visa policy in order to itself a top choice for employment, investment, entrepreneurship, education, and leisure. The UAE's expat population, which presently numbers over 9.06 million, is expected to continue expanding quickly. 

The United Arab Emirates introduced a number of immigration alternatives in an effort to draw and keep professionals and talent from across the globe. With the growth of visa programmes, foreign nationals may now live comfortably abroad without needing a work visa.

In the UAE, retirees may live comfortably and safely under the non-work visa programme. As long as the applicants continue to satisfy the conditions, all non-work visa categories are renewable. The categories of visas that don't need a work contact are listed below.

 

• Jobseeker visit visa

For a single visit, foreign nationals are allowed to look for work without the need for a host or sponsor in the nation. A job-seeker visa with a 60-, 90-, or 120-day validity period is available for application.

Eligibility for a jobseeker visa:

The applicant has to meet the following requirements: To get a visit visa for the purpose of exploring job opportunities,

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) professional job levels, he or she must be in the first, second, or third skill level.

They must be a recent graduate from one of the top 500 universities in the world as determined by the Ministry of Education's approved classification. 

He/she must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent

He/she must fulfil the prescribed financial guarantee.

Required documents:

A copy of the applicant’s passport

A coloured photo

Qualification certificate (attested)

 

 

• Student Visa

Students who excel academically and who are high achievers overall may be eligible for student visas. The five-year study visa is granted to students who graduate from public or private secondary schools with a final grade of 95% or higher, or who are students at universities with a distinguishing GPA of at least 3.75 provided by UAE or foreign universities.

If you are deemed an excellent student, you may be qualified for a 10-year resident visa.

Submitting a visa application:

International students must apply for a Student Residency Visa. GCC citizens can enter the country without a visa, and exceptional students can apply for a five-year visa.

Universities' Student Affairs offices will help students with the visa application procedure. A medical fitness test, an official admission letter from the university, a sponsor (the university or a resident relative), and approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai are all necessary for the processing of a visa.

 

• Green Visa

With the Green Visa, holders can self-sponsor their residency for a period of five years, doing away with the requirement that an employer or UAE national sponsor their visas. Its goal is to draw top talent, investors, entrepreneurs, and highly qualified professionals to the nation.

The opportunity to sponsor boys up to the age of 25 and unmarried daughters, regardless of age, is one benefit of this long-term residence.

The visa enables extended, flexible grace periods, up to six months, to stay in the nation after the residence permit is revoked or expires, in order to assist family members' residency, in addition to streamlining and simplifying the criteria of all resident kinds.

 

• Golden Visa

One of the many benefits that come with having a 10-year visa is that it allows you to give residence permits to family members, such as spouses and kids. The age limitation for sponsored children has been raised from 18 to 25 years old, but unmarried daughters are exempt from this rule. Children who demonstrate resolve, regardless of age, are awarded residence permits. The greatest amount of time that can be spent outside of the United Arab Emirates is unrestricted by the Golden Residence.

Professionals earning Dh30,000 or more per month in the media, IT, healthcare, and other sectors are eligible for the Golden Visa.

This renewable golden residency programme is only available to a select group of people, including investors who have invested at least Dh2 million, entrepreneurs, first-degree relatives, outstanding students and graduates, front-line workers, scientists, Covid-19 heroes, and exceptionally talented students. 

 

• Remote Work visa

The 'virtual working programme', another name for a remote work visa, enables its bearer to move to the United Arab Emirates and work remotely for their present company. Foreigners will therefore be permitted to independently enter the UAE and work in compliance with their visa conditions.

Visa duration: 1 years

Eligibility:

Applicants will need the following:

• Passport with a minimum of 6 months validity.
• Health insurance with UAE coverage validity.

For employees:

• Proof of employment from a current employer with a one-year contract validity, a minimum of $3,500 per month salary, last month's payslip and 3 preceding months’ bank statements.

For business owners:

• Proof of ownership of the company for one year or more, subject to extension, with an average monthly income of $3,500 per month or its equivalent in foreign currencies and 3 preceding months’ bank statements.
• Proof of work/employment outside the United Arab Emirates and that the work is conducted remotely.

If applying for permits for family members, applicants are required to submit their valid health insurance and passport along with fee payment for each member.

How to apply:

If you wish to apply online:

• Log onto the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai (GDRFAD) portal.
• Create a username and password.
• Choose the service required labelled 'Golden Visa'.
• Submit documents required and pay subsequent fees.
• Non-work visa applications can be submitted as per the rules and regulations of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security on their website: https://icp.gov.ae.

 

• Retirement visa

Foreign retirees are eligible to apply for a five-year extended visa. In order for an individual to qualify for a retirement visa in Dubai, they need to:

• Either have worked for not less than 15 years inside or outside the UAE, or be 55 years old or more at the time of retirement and
• Own a property/properties of no less than Dh1 million or
• Have financial savings of no less than Dh1 million or
• Have a monthly income of Dh20,000 (15,000 a month for Dubai).
• The visa is valid for 5 years with the possibility of renewing it if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Requirements:

To apply for the retirement residence visa in Abu Dhabi, you will need to provide:

For fixed deposits:

A statement issued by a bank licensed to operate in or out of the UAE showing a deposit of at least Dh1,000,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies and that the deposit will remain for a period of not less than two (2) years.

For real estate:

A real estate unit value certificate issued by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) or any other competent authority in charge of real estate registration in the UAE.

A search certificate issued by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) or any other competent authority in charge of real estate registration in the UAE proving that the property is not subject to seizure by any judicial authority and has a value of at least Dh1,000,000.

For annual income:

A bank statement proving an annual income of no less than Dh240,000 or its equivalent in other currencies.

How to apply:

Non-work visa applications can be submitted as per the rules and regulations of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security on their website: https://icp.gov.ae

Through GDRFA or thought DLD (Dubai Land Department)