Types of Visas for Dubai:

There are in total seven types of visas for Dubai are available in the UAE, that includes passing of a medical test, security check and approval of GDRFA in relevant emirate.

Types of visas are:

1. Residence visa
2. Tourist visa or visit visa
3. Student visa
4. Transit visa
5. e-visa for GCC residents
6. Retirement visa for residents of UAE
7. Patient visa

Residence visa:

Who are eligible for a visa:

• If you work in the UAE, under a governmental office or in a private company.
• If you study in a UAE educational institution
• If you are the dependent of a UAE citizen or foreign resident (child, parent, maid, or a close relative)
• If you have made an investment in the UAE
• If you have purchased property in the UAE
• If you will retire in the UAE

Types of residence visa:

• UAE Work Visa, that is issued to foreigners who have found employment in the UAE and obtained a Work Permit.
• UAE Student Visa, that is issued for foreign nationals who have been accepted into a UAE educational institution.
• UAE Family Visa, issued to the close family members of UAE citizens or foreign residents.
• UAE Investment Visa (long-term residence), issued to foreign nationals who make a substantial investment in the UAE. This type of visa is issued for a longer duration than other types of residence visas (up to ten years).
• UAE Retirement Visa, issued to elderly foreigners who want to retire in the UAE and have the necessary financial means to do so.
• Work Remotely from Dubai program, issued to foreign freelancers who want to work in Dubai remotely.

Requirements:

• The UAE Visa Application Form, obtained online or through the relevant typing center
• Your original passport
• Two passport-size pictures, in line with UAE visa photo requirements
• Your entry visa
• Proof of your sponsor’s legal residency / UAE citizenship
• Proof you have passed a medical fitness test
• Proof of UAE health insurance plan
• For family visas, include proof of family ties, such as birth/marriage certificates
• For a work visa, your sponsor must include the work contract and copies of the company’s valid trade licence and valid firm card.

Residence Visa fees:

For one year, the Residence Visa fee is AED 100.

Note: you will also have to pay a processing fee which changes depending on where you apply, it can range from AED 70 if applying in person or AED 40 if applying online.

The duration of visas could be 1,2 and 3 years and could be renewed.

Tourist visa or Visit visa:

Tourist visa is basically for those who are not eligible for visa free entry or visa on arrival. Tourists around the world could obtain it. However, women below the age of 18 are not eligible for this visa until and unless they are travelling with parents.

Note: cabinet passed a resolution in July 2018, that children under 18 travelling with adults could attain free tourist visa from 15th July to 15th September every year.

In order to get tourist visa to UAE, you need to get in touch with touring agencies, UAE based airlines or hotels in UAE so they could apply visa on your behalf to official visa issuing authorities.

Tourist visa types and fees:

• Tourist/ Business visa costs $195 and its validity is maximum 14 days (single entry).
• Tourist visa costs $225 and its validity is maximum 30 days (single entry).
• Tourist/ Cruise purpose visa costs $195 and it is valid for maximum 14 days (single entry).
• Tourist/ Cruise multi entry visa costs $365 and it is valid for maximum 30 days (multiple entry).

All sort of visit and tourist visas can be extended for 30 days twice. Tourist can apply for renewal before the expiry of the first one. Every time AED 600 is to be paid for renewal.

However, visa extension does not apply on following categories:

Visitors and tourists that are residents in GCC countries.

Residents accompanying GCC nationals.

Those who are on special entry permits.

Those who are on 96 hour permit for special missions.

Transit visa:

It is required by those who are not eligible for visa free entry or visa on arrival.

Two types of transit visas exists that are:

For 48 hours and it is free of cost.

Other one is for 96 hours and it costs about AED 50.

*Note: These both visas and non-extendable. Transit visas can only be sponsored by the UAE based airlines.

Requirements for transit visa:

• Passport or travel document that is at least valid for three months.
• A photograph of yours with a white background.
• Booking of onward 3rd destination, other than you are coming from.

Student Visa:

It is the 1 year renewable visa for a university or college student studying in the UAE. It is issued to those students who are residing in UAE under the sponsorship of their parents or relatives or to international students who came from abroad or their studies.

In 2018, UAE government approved the decision of granting 5 years visa to outstanding students. For this 5 year visa, eligibility criteria is:

School students must graduate with the 95% grade from the secondary school (private or public).

University students must graduate with a GPA of at least 3.75 from the universities within or outside the country.

*The benefits include families of outstanding students as well.

Requirements for student visa:

• Passing medical fitness test.
• Visa sponsor either from family or relative, or from university itself.
• Approval of the General directorate of residency and Foreign affairs.

According to UAE laws, expatriates can not sponsor their male children above the age of 18 until and unless they are studying in the higher educational institute in UAE whereas there is no such law for female children.

Also the international students who complete their 18 years of education there would receive a one year residence visa since their graduating date, and it could be renewed for one another year. For renewal, it will cost AED 100.

For availing this service, parents must attest the graduation certificates from the universities or schools whether from abroad or UAE.

e-Visa for GCC residents:

The residents of GCC or the companions that are GCC citizens are required to apply online for the visa and should obtain before arriving UAE.

Notes & conditions:

• e-visa will be sent on the e-mail that you have registered once the application has been approved.
• application for visa is not approved until sponsor is travelling along them.
• The entry permit for GCC residents is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and are allowed to stay for 30 days since the date of entry and the visa is extendable for 30 days but only once.
• The entry permit for companions travelling with GCC residents is valid for 60 days from the date of issue and are allowed to stay for 60 days since the date of entry and the visa is extendable for 60 days but only once.
• If the GCC resident’s visa on arrival is found to be expired or cancelled, entry will not be granted to that person.
• If the GCC resident profession is found to be changed after the issuance of the the entry permit, he will not be granted entry.
• The GCC residency must be valid for 3 months at least from the date of arrival.
• GCC resident passport is valid for 3 months since the arrival date.

Retirement visa:

UAE cabinet approved a law in September 2018, of proving long term visa for a period of 5 years to retired residents over the age of 55 with a possibility of renewal if all criteria met.

A retiree to be eligible for 5 year renewable retirement visa, he must fulfil at least one of the criteria mentioned below:

• Invest in property worth AED 2 million.
• have financial savings not less than AED 1 million.
• having an active income of at least AED 20,000/ month.

Patient entry permit:

Foreign patients can enter UAE for treatment purpose under the sponsorship of government, medical establishment and private hospital. Sponsor takes on the responsibility for processing entry permits and treatment on the request of patient. Sponsor must have the license of hospital and registered in the UAE.

Documents required for entry permit:

• Patients copy of passport.
• letter from registered hospital, giving a reason of visit
• patient health insurance.
• financial security.

Other special visas Dubai offers:

The Dubai has strongly cemented its place as one of the world’s premier business and destination for travel and a large part of this popularity is due to the liberal visa policy it offers. Besides the general visit or residency visa, Dubai offers special visas that cater to a wide range of needs, even as listed above and those mentioned below:

UAE GOLDEN VISA:

The Golden Visa is the long term residence visa in the UAE which enables people from all over the world to live, work and study in the country. UAE Golden Visas are granted for five or ten years and are extended automatically.

holders of this golden visas includes:

• Investors
• Real Estate Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• PhD holders in the UAE
• Graduates with a 3.75 GPA from UAE accredited universities
• Doctors and physicians passed out from UAE institutions
• UAE based engineers of computer science, biotechnology, programming, electronics and electricity
• Experts in Epidemiology and Viruses, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Engineering.
• Top graduates from UAE’s high schools and their families

REAL ESTATE INVESTOR VISA:

This special Dubai visa is designed to encourage real estate investment in the country is the UAE real estate investor visas. It has two types:

For 10 year investor visa, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Establish a new company with a capital investment equal to AED 10 M or more
• Establishing a partnership in an existing company with an investment of AED 10 M or more
• Have depositsof at least AED 10 M in any of the UAE emirate.
• Ensurethat within the total investment of AED 10 M, 60% of that amount or AED 6 M of the total investment is made in sectors other than the real estate market.

The other type is a 5 year property investor visa. The requirements for which are:

• An investment in the property of AED 5 M or more
• The amount cannot be loaned.
• Property must be retained for at least three years.

DUBAI BUSINESS VISA:

The UAE Business Visa is an important and necessary part of the Gold Card Visa UAE system. Foreign entrepreneurs who have set up their businesses could apply for this permit. The eligibility criteria for a UAE Business Visa include:

• Substantiation of your entrepreneurial experience
• Shareholder of a start-up or a senior role in a company
• Intent to relocate to the UAE
• Having a tangible business idea or plan.

UAE REMOTE WORKING VISA:

The pandemic has changed the working patterns in many industries of the world and many people now prefer to work remotely or from home. This means whether you are employed with a company or a freelancer, you can work from anywhere in the world. For such individuals, the UAE government had announced a one-year residence visa.

Conditions for the visa are:

• A valid passport for at least 6 months
• Health insurance
• Proof of employment/ownership
• Employment contract with at least is valid for one year
• Previous payslip
• 3 month preceding bank statements
• Monthly salary or income of at least USD 5,000 

EVENT VISAS IN DUBAI:

Those who wish to attend exhibitions, conferences or other events can apply for an Event Visa in Dubai. It is quite similar to a Dubai tourist visa and can’t renew.

To apply for an Event Visa, submit:

• A copy of a passport that is valid for 3 months 
• A copy of visa page of sponsor

ONE-YEAR RESIDENCY PERMIT FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY WAR OR DISASTERS:

According to the resolution issued by the UAE Cabinet in 2018, citizens of countries affected by wars or disasters can also apply for residency in Dubai. The term of residency in Dubai is for one year. Also, widows, divorced women, and children can renew their visas once without a sponsor.

SPONSORING PARENTS AS A UAE BASED STUDENT:

Recently the UAE government announced a special visa to facilitate international students studying in the UAE. With this special Dubai visa, students would be able to sponsor their parents or other on whom they are dependant financially, including housing. More details regarding student-sponsored visas for families will be announced soon.