Anyone wishing to emigrate to Dubai requires a Residence Visa. But what's the best way to get one, what are the requirements, and how much does it cost? All your questions answered in this comprehensive guide.
Was ist das Residence Visa?
The residency visa is quite simply translated as the residence visa for Dubai or the UAE. This is because as an EU citizen, one is only allowed to spend 90 days at a time in the UAE. After that, one would have to leave. The tourist visa can be issued upon arrival at the airport. Anyone who wishes to stay in the UAE long-term or after Moving to Dubai wants, who requires a Residency VISA.
Prerequisites
Fundamentally, there are various ways to obtain a residence visa, as there are different types of visas as described. The requirements also vary accordingly. Below, however, is an overview of the most important and popular categories.
- Job Anyone employed by a company receives what is known as an employment visa. The company you are employed by provides this. For many, a job is therefore the key to a residence visa.
- Company All those who are self-employed can, through Setting up a company in Dubaiyou can hire yourself and thus also obtain a visa via employment. The company doesn't have to be actively used. Setting up a Freezone company is best for this, as it is the cheapest option.
- Investment Property investments (e.g. Kin an apartment in Dubai) or in an investment product with the bank amounting to AED 2,000,000 or more, enable you to obtain a residency visa. In that case, it is a special form, the so-called Golden Visa in Dubai. The difference here is the validity. This visa must be renewed every 10 years, in contrast to the usual 2 years for an Employment Visa.
- Family Someone emigrating as a father of a family who already has a visa and an Emirates ID can “sponsor” both his wife and children relatively easily. The birth and marriage certificates must be attested at the UAE embassy in the home country and then again at the MOFA in Abu Dhabi.
Process
The process for obtaining a VISA naturally varies greatly depending on which VISA you opt for. Anyone starting a company must naturally do so first, or anyone going the route of investment for the Golden VISA must naturally make and prove this first.
Aside from fulfilling individual requirements, however, there is an essential part that is the same for everyone. This can be divided into the following 3 steps.
Medical Examination
The medical check-up is a brief test that must be completed in Dubai. This involves a chest X-ray and a blood test. The primary purpose is to rule out highly infectious sexually transmitted diseases or polio. For most Europeans, this is not a problem.
There are numerous facilities for this in Dubai and we always accompany our clients personally.
The test itself, including waiting time, takes a maximum of 30 minutes, and you will receive the result within a maximum of 3 hours afterwards.
Emirates ID Application
With a positive “FIT” result, you can subsequently apply for your Emirates ID at a Typing Centre. The Emirates ID a key document in the UAE, which is linked to the VISA. It is a credit card-sized identification card and enables all business activities to be carried out in Dubai. This includes, for example, opening accounts, renting apartments, or re-registering the Driving licence in Dubai.
Biometrics
Once the form is filled out, you proceed to a so-called Typing Centre to have your biometrics taken. Your biometric data (fingerprints) will be collected here, which are linked to the Emirates ID. This serves as a digital signature and ensures that the Emirates ID can only be used by one person.
Upon completion, the Emirates ID will be printed and delivered accordingly to the applicant.
Costs
The costs for the entire process depend heavily on whether you hire an agency or handle the entire process, including all official channels, yourself. In the latter case, you can generally expect costs of around €500 - €750 depending on the desired processing time. Booking the VIP option will result in faster processing.
Summary
The Residence Visa, or Aufenthaltsvisum, permits permanent residency in the UAE. However, there are a variety of ways or types to obtain it. Most people choose employment through a company (either their own or a third party's) or by purchasing property. Depending on the type of visa, you are then permitted to live in the UAE for 2 years, with the possibility of extension, provided you continue to meet the requirements.
On-site, one may need to undergo a medical test, apply for an Emirates ID, and have biometrics taken (a one-time process).
