The United Arab Emirates are issuing a number of visa types for multiple purpose. Here complete description for UAE 6 visa types
01 United Arab Emirates Residence visa
UAE Residence Visa, also known as a work visa is used by expatriates who are taking up jobs in the UAE. It is valid for 3 years for companies located in free zones and 2 years for LLCs. The employer must apply for the residence visa. Medical examination is required to obtain this visa.
In 2019, the UAE introduced a new long-term residency visa system. The new system allows foreigners to work, study and live in the UAE with no need for a sponsor. They can also own their businesses on the UAE mainland 100%. These residence visas are valid for 5 or 10 year periods and will automatically renew.
02 Tourist Visa / Visit Visa
Who is eligible for a tourist visa? UAE Tourist visas are for people who cannot enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa or with a visa on arrival. Tourist visas are available to all eligible tourists. Women under the age of 18, unless traveling with parents, are not eligible for this type visa.
The UAE tourist visa can be issued with a duration of 30 days, 90 days, or for multiple entries.
Who is eligible to apply for a Tourist Visa?
The UAE embassies don’t issue tourist visas. You can get a tourist’s visa by contacting a UAE-based airline, a UAE-based tour agency or an UAE-based hotel. These agencies will then apply on your behalf for the visa with the UAE authorities.
If you book your flight through a licensed travel agent or hotel in the UAE, they can arrange for a tourist visa.
Check the authenticity and legitimacy of the travel agent before you pay or send copies of your official documentation. The UAE embassy can be contacted for verification.
There are certain conditions each airline sets. You must meet these conditions in order to get your Visa Co arranged. The condition is that you must fly with them. You can check with the following UAE-based airline for updated information and details about visa types, terms and condition.
Renewing or Extending UAE Tourist Visa
All types of tourist and visit visas may be renewed twice for an additional 30 days, without having to leave the country. Visitors and tourists may renew the visa before it expires by paying AED 600 for each renewal.
The new rule does not apply to the following categories
*Visitors and tourists from GCC countries
* Residents accompanying GCC citizens
* Only those with a special entry permit
* Special missionaries with a 96 hour permit
03 Transit Visa
Transit visas come in two different types: a 48-hour free one and a 96 hour version for 50 AED. Transit visas may only be issued by UAE-based carriers and must be approved and processed before entry into the UAE. The transit visas for both types are non-extendable.
Transit Visa Requirements in UAE
For a United Arab Emirates Transit Visa, you need to have,
- A passport or other travel document valid for at least three months
- A picture of yourself against a background of white
- Booking a ticket to another destination than your current one.
04 Job Seeking visa in UAE
By the end of 2022 the UAE is expected to introduce new visa rules, a major change in the country’s immigration policies.
One of the changes included the introduction of a new visa for jobseekers, designed to attract young talent as well as skilled professionals who are interested in exploring job opportunities within the country.
The Cabinet approved the new rules in April 2022. They came into force on October 3, 2020. The new visa was expected to lead to a large influx of jobseekers, according to experts at the time.
Experts stated that the changes will allow people to easily enter the UAE in order to find employment, and mark a move towards a flexible and modern immigration system.
Who can apply for job seeker visa?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has classified the visa as open to people with the first or second skill level and also to recent graduates of top 500 universities.
This does not require either a sponsoring or hosting organization.
The minimum education level should be at least a Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent.
How long can you get a job seeker visa?
The visa has a validity of 60 days and is multi-entry.
A 60-day Visa costs AED 1495. A 90-day Visa costs AED 1655. A 120-day Visa costs AED 1815
05 UAE Student Visa
UAE student visas are renewable for 1 year and can be used by university or college students in the UAE. The visa can be issued to foreign students, either those who are sponsored by parents or other relatives or who are expatriate students residing in the UAE.
Long-term visa for outstanding students
On November 24, 2018, the UAE Government approved a policy to grant 5-year visas to outstanding students.
Students who are eligible for a visa valid for 5 years must meet the following conditions.
- Public or private secondary school students must achieve a grade point average of at least 95 percent.
- Students from within or outside the country must graduate with an impressive GPA (grade point average) of at least 3,75.
- Visa benefits are also available to the families of outstanding student.
Student Visa Requirements
In order to obtain a UAE Student Visa, the applicant needs an official Admission Letter from the University he’s studying at. For older students, you will need to provide a certificate proving that your studies have continued.
Included in the list are,
A sponsor of a visa, such as the university or a parent/relative
Approval of General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs.
Universities and colleges accredited in the UAE are able to secure visas for students who reside in the UAE or international students. For more information on the admissions and visa requirements, students should consult each institution’s terms and conditions.
UAE laws forbid UAE resident expatriates from continuing to sponsor their male children after the age 18. Male students who pursue their higher education in the UAE or overseas are given an exception. As a result, male students above the age of 18 may remain on their parents’ sponsorship visa if they can provide proof that they have attended a higher-educational institute for at minimum a year. Parents living abroad can continue sponsoring their female children to study regardless of their age.
06 UAE Golden Visa
If you hold an UAE golden visa you can reside in the UAE between five and ten years. This residency doesn’t require you to renew every two to three year. Result.
UAE golden Visas are a way for expats living, working and studying in the UAE to do so without requiring a national sponsor.
In light of the recent changes made to UAE Entry and Residence Scheme more people are now eligible to apply for golden residence visas
You can apply if you fall into one of the following categories: investors, entrepreneurs. exceptional talents. scientists and professionals. outstanding students and graduates. humanitarian pioneers.
Here is more information on each category.
For Investors
Do you own a home in the UAE? Real estate investors are eligible for the UAE Golden Visa if they buy a property that is worth at least AED 2,000,000. In an update, as of January 24th, the equity in the home is no more a factor.
Property investment can qualify you for the golden visa regardless of whether your property is off-plan (completed), completed or mortgaged. No minimum deposit is required for a visa application to be approved.
For Entrepreneurs
Once one or more of these three conditions is met, it’s possible to obtain and apply for an UAE golden visa.
- The applicant should be a co-owner or partner of a newly formed small and medium business (SME) registered within the UAE. The company has to generate revenues that are at least AED 1,000,000 per year.
- The entrepreneur’s entrepreneurial project must have sold for more than AED 7,000,000..
- The applicant’s start-up has been approved by a government-approved business incubator.
For Exceptional talents
People with exceptional talents can apply and receive a UAE golden Visa, regardless of the educational qualification they hold, their employment status, their monthly income or level.
Visas require a recommendation from the federal government or a local government.
For Scientists
Scientists or researchers with high achievements in their field and influence may apply for a gold visa upon receiving a recommendation by the Emirates Scientists Council.
Potential golden visa applicants in this category must have a PhD degree or a master’s in engineering, technologies, life sciences and the natural sciences.
For Professionals
A golden visa can be obtained by professionals and highly-skilled workers, with high qualifications in education or experience. This category includes many disciplines such as law, medicine, technology, education, social sciences, business administration, and science.
The application will be considered only if the applicant holds a UAE contract of employment and has been classified as a first or second level occupation according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The applicant’s salary should be Dhs30,000 per month or higher.
For Congratulations to outstanding students and graduates
The UAE Secondary School System, as well the UAE Universities, will be accepting applications from outstanding students and graduates. High achievers of the top 100 universities from around the world are also eligible to apply.
There are several stipulations including; academic performance/cumulative grade average, year of graduation and the university classification.
Students who have a GPA above 3.8 at top universities are eligible to apply. Public or private high school students with an average of 95 percent on their high school certificates are also eligible. Visas will also include the family members of these students.
