Having a UAE residence visa allows you to work and live in UAE and comes with numerous benefits. There are various ways to obtain a Dubai residency visa.

1.Employment visa

The most obvious way of getting a Dubai residence visa is by being employed by a company. The company sponsors the visa, labour card and work permit which allows you to work and live in UAE. The validity of the visa depends on the type of company. A visa sponsored by an onshore / mainland company is valid for 2 years and if done through a Free Zone company, it is valid for 3 years. These are both renewable. If employed by the government sector, the government entity will apply and sponsor the visa.

2. Registering a company or being a partner in a company

Another way of getting a residency visa UAE is by registering a company, holding shares in an entity or establishing your own business. The residency visa through this means allows you to work and live in UAE, hire employees, and sponsor your family. Various types of companies can be registered. An onshore company needs a sponsorship from a local and the visa is valid for two years. A Free Zone company allows full ownership and the visa is valid for three years.

3.Property Investment visa

Buying property in UAE makes you eligible to apply for a resident visa without needing a sponsor. There are three types of visas depending on the amount invested:

2 Year Visa

Investing AED 1,000,000 or more in a property allows you to apply for a 2 year visa. This amount needs to be the purchase value and not the current market value.

5 Year Visa

Investing in property with a gross value of AED 5 million, allows you to apply for a 5 year visa. The properties have to be bought without a mortgage or any type of financing, and the investment must be retained for at least three years.10 Year VisaFor persons who invest a minimum of AED 10 million with 40% or more in real estate, a 10 year visa is available. Again, the amount cannot be loaned and has to be retained for at least three years.

The property visas do not permit you to work but do give you residency, an Emirates ID card, and makes you eligible for a UAE driving license and family sponsorship. Additionally, the 10 year visa allows you to sponsor an executive director and advisor.

4. Long term Investor Visa 

A long term resident visa of 10 years is available by investing a minimum of AED 10 million in an investment fund, establishing a company with a capital of at least AED 10 million or being a partner in a company with a share value of AED 10 million or more. The holder of this type of visa will have the capacity to sponsor the visas of their family members for 10 years as well.

5.Retirement Visa

The retirement visa was introduced in 2019 for retired residents that are over the age of 55. It is valid for 5 years and is renewable. The conditions for this UAE residence visa are that the retired person needs to either have an active income of AED 20,000/month, have financial saving of at least AED 1 million or have invested AED 2 million in property.

6. Dependents or family sponsorship

UAE residents can apply to sponsor their family. This includes their spouse, children and parents. The requirements to sponsor their children and spouse is that the resident has a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3000 plus accommodation. To sponsor parents, the minimum monthly salary needs to be AED 20,000. Also, a deposit of AED 3000 is required for each family member.

7. University Students

University students can get a Dubai resident visa by being sponsored by their universities. It is valid for 12 months and can be renewed every year until the duration of their program

8. Visa for Specialized talents

People with special talents are able to get a 10 year UAE residency visa. Special talent individuals can be doctors, scientists, inventors and creatives in culture and art. It also includes executives of leading companies and students with outstanding grades. Certain criteria do need to be met however. This UAE residency visa is extended to families.

9. Entrepreneur visa

A 5 year Dubai residence visa for entrepreneurs has been implemented to enhance the ease of conducting business in UAE.  The requirement for this visa is that the person needs to have a running business with a minimum capital of AED 500,000. Visas can be extended to a partner and three executives, as well as their spouse and children. This visa can be upgraded to an investors visa.