Dubai is a magnet for tourists, entrepreneurs, expats, workers, investors, and professionals. This city’s vibrant culture, expat-friendly environment, incredible tax concessions, world-class infrastructure, and endless business and work opportunities make it a global hub.
If you want to move to Dubai or secure residency for your employees, a Dubai residence visa is needed. This visa allows you to obtain a driving license, access financial and government health services and insurance, open a bank account, invest, and legally work in Dubai.
If you want to learn how to get a Dubai residency visa for yourself and your employees, read on! This article explains the different visa types available for employers and employees, visa requirements, and steps to obtain them.
How to Get a Dubai Residency Visa
Follow the steps given below to obtain a visa for residency in Dubai.
1. Choose the Right Visa Type
Select the right UAE residency visa from the following, depending on your requirements.
Investor visa
This is available to those who have invested in the UAE.
- To obtain an investor visa for five years, a minimum investment of AED 2 million is needed.
- For an investor visa of up to ten years, a minimum investment of AED 10 million is needed.
Green visa
This five-year renewable visa is available to entrepreneurs, professionals, and skilled freelancers.
Golden visa
It is available to high-net-worth individuals, specialists and experts, investors, and entrepreneurs. The UAE golden visa is valid for 5-10 years depending on the investment amount.
Business visa
This visa is also a valid residency permit, allowing foreign investors to work, live, and run their businesses in the UAE.
2. Secure a Sponsor
Depending on the visa type, you need a sponsor who is an authorized and legal resident of the UAE to apply for your Dubai residency visa.
3. Seek an Entry Permit
Seek an entry permit from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDFRA). An entry permit is needed to enter the UAE to secure a residency visa legally.
4. Submit the Needed Documents
Certain documents must be submitted to the GDFRA online or through their authorized typing centers. The documents and fees payable vary depending on the visa you are applying for. Please make sure the following documents are valid and current before applying for a residency visa.
- A passport with at least six months of validity.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- A sponsorship letter from your sponsor and the sponsor’s proof of residency and citizenship.
- Health and medical certificates of fitness from authorised healthcare facilities in Dubai.
- A certificate of good conduct from your home country.
- A copy of the Emirates ID application.
- The cost of a residence visa in Dubai depends on the duration and purpose of the stay, insurance requirements, and location of the application. For instance, a 2-year residence visa in Dubai costs around AED 3,500 to AED 4,200.
5. Obtain an Emirates ID
Once the concerned authorities verify your application, you will receive a valid entry permit and residence visa. Upon receiving this, apply for an Emirates ID that allows you to work and legally reside in the UAE.
After obtaining your Dubai residence visa, you can sponsor your families, domestic workers, and employees.
How to Get Dubai Residency Visa for Your Employees
A work visa is needed to hire or relocate your employees to the UAE. As an employer, you must be a resident of Dubai and will act as the sponsor for your employees. The two requirements all employers must fulfill are:
- Have a valid trade licence
- Meet the minimum salary requirement for visa sponsorship
The work visas and the process of obtaining them are listed below.
Standard Work Visa
This visa is typically issued for two years. The employer or company will sponsor their employees and, therefore, is responsible for their visa application, renewal, or cancellation. A standard work visa permits employees to work in the mainland, free zones, or the government sectors.
The employees must fulfill the following conditions to qualify for an UAE employment visa.
- The employee must be 18 years or older.
- The employer or company must have a valid license.
- The employee’s job profile must fit the company or employer’s business profile.
Green Visa
Employees hired for leadership or managerial roles, skilled professionals, and qualified experts are eligible for this five-year residency visa. This visa can be obtained without a sponsor, provided the employee fulfils the following conditions.
- A valid employment contract stating the job profile
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent educational qualification
- A minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000.
How employers can apply for a work visa for their employees?
Employers must initiate the work visa application process for their employees by doing the following.
- Submit an entry visa approval application to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and await its approval.
- Submit a job contract to the MoHRE in Arabic, English, and the employee’s native language (if different).
- After the MoHRE runs the required background checks and verifies the company status, it issues a work permit.
- An approved work permit is valid for up to two months, during which time the employee must come to the UAE.
- Once in the UAE, employees must apply for an Emirates ID, obtain an official work visa from the MoHRE, and start working.
Conclusion
Having a Dubai residency visa is a must to legally work and settle yourself and your employees in the UAE. Not adhering to these requirements can result in legal hassles, severe penalties, and even deportation, so having a valid work visa is non-negotiable.
The process of applying for and obtaining a UAE residency visa requires several compliances. To reduce the time and effort involved in this process, reach out to our expert business consultants at Emirates Business Setup (EBS). EBS is one of Dubai’s leading consultancies, and our professionals are here to assist you every step of the way as you decide to legally settle in Dubai.
