To legally stay in the United Arab Emirates, foreign nationals need a visa, and its type varies depending on the purpose of their visit. Below, we describe the types of visas currently available to foreigners.
Tourist visa in the UAE
The tourist visa is the most common type of entry permit for the UAE. It’s perfect for travelers coming to relax, explore the country, and visit its landmarks.
The minimum duration for a tourist visa is 30 days, and it can be issued as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Citizens from over 70 countries don’t have to apply for a UAE visa in advance: they can obtain a free visa on arrival at any airport in the country.
The visa can also be extended twice, each time by 30 days, without leaving the UAE.
Required documents for a tourist visa in Dubai:
- Passport and its copy
- Photograph
For family travel, documents have to be provided separately for each family member.
Work visa in the UAE
The work visa is for foreigners who plan to enter the UAE for employment. Employment is only permitted with the company that issued the invitation. If someone in the UAE on another visa type wishes to work, he or she has to cancel his/ her existing visa and then apply for a work visa.
How to obtain a UAE work visa
To secure a work permit, documents must confirm an employment contract or job offer from a company based in the UAE. Work visas are issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs of your emirate. The employer submits the visa application on behalf of the employee.
The work visa is valid for 2 to 3 years. Documents required for a work visa:
- Color passport copy
- Passport-size photo
- Entry permit visa with entry stamp
- Medical exam results (blood test + X-ray)
- Emirates ID application stamped by the Identification and Citizenship Authority
- Employment agreement
- Certified degree copy (usually not required for managerial, sales, or marketing positions)
The employer covers the full cost of the work visa in the UAE.
Investor visa in the UAE
The UAE investor visa is available to applicants ready to invest in the country’s economy. It is issued for 3, 5, or 10 years, allowing the holder to become a full UAE resident, open bank accounts, access healthcare, and receive dividends from assets in the Emirates. The investor must meet specific criteria.
Investment options include:
- UAE investment funds
- Establishment of a company in the Emirates with a minimum capital of 10 million AED
- Partnership in a company with shares worth at least 10 million AED
- Purchase of property worth at least 750,000 AED
The visa duration depends on the investment amount. To obtain a 10-year Golden Visa, at least 10 million AED has to be invested in a fund or business. These funds cannot be borrowed and about 60% of the total investment must not be in real estate.
An investor visa in Dubai also makes close relatives and dependents eligible for visas while the resident acts as their sponsor.
Document requirements and final visa costs depend on the company’s activity type, the free zone regulations where it’s registered, and other factors. For visa renewal, the resident must continue to meet the investor program’s criteria.
Freelancer visa in the UAE
The UAE freelancer visa suits foreigners who want to legally work as freelancers within the Emirates. It’s available to those in fields such as design, IT, education, media, and more. The application is submitted to the regulatory authority in the emirate where the applicant plans to work.
Freelancer visa costs vary by emirate or free zone where the application is submitted. Visa processing costs include:
- Work permit fee
- Medical examination
- Visa issuance fee
- Emirates ID issuance fee
The visa is issued for 3 years and can be renewed. Documents required for a freelancer visa:
- Applicant’s resume
- Photograph
- Passport and visa copy
- Recommendation letter from a bank
If the applicant already works in the UAE, a No Objection Certificate from their current employer is needed to permit freelance activities. Depending on the work scope, the applicant may also have to provide a portfolio and proof of qualifications. The freelancer visa holder can sponsor visas for close relatives.
Student visa in the UAE
The UAE student visa is issued to students over 18 years old for a 1-year period and is renewed annually as long as the applicant maintains student status. To apply, a letter of admission from an accredited university or college is required. The applicant, parents, or the educational institution can act as the sponsor. With high academic performance, a UAE student visa may be extended for 5 years.
Five-year visas are available to:
- High school graduates from public or private schools with a grade of at least 95%.
- University students with a GPA of at least 3.75.
Required documents for a student visa:
- Passport
- Photograph
- Admission letter from the educational institution
- Sponsorship letter (from either the university or a UAE-resident family member)
- University-issued registration certificate
- Proof of tuition payment for the current academic year
- Visa fee receipt
- Educational diploma and certificate of enrollment in school/university
- Medical certificate
Retiree visa in the UAE
The UAE offers a visa program for foreign nationals aged 55 and older, allowing them to reside in the Emirates post-retirement. The retiree visa is granted if the following conditions are met:
- Investment in property valued at 2 million AED minimum.
- Financial savings of at least 1 million AED on a three-year fixed-term deposit.
- Permanent monthly income of no less than 15,000 AED.
- A combination of annual income and savings totaling 1 million AED plus real estate valued at a minimum of 500,000 AED.
The retiree visa in Dubai is valid for 5 years and can be renewed if the program’s requirements are still met. Spouses and dependents of the resident are also eligible for the visa. The retiree visa grants work rights as well.
Required documents for a retiree visa:
- Passport copies of the resident, family members, and dependents
- Marriage certificate copy (for a spouse’s visa)
- Documents proving eligibility for the visa
If the applicant is already a UAE resident, they must provide copies of their current visa and Emirates ID for themselves, their family members, and dependents.
The cost of a retiree visa is approximately 3,800 AED.
You can read more about resident visas in the UAE if you follow the link. Generally speaking, the UAE authorities make it rather easy for foreigners to obtain legal residence in the country. There are many paths to residency in the UAE even though citizenship of the country is granted to foreigners only in exceptional cases.
