Visas in the United Arab Emirates

Recently, a great deal of information and many updates concerning visa types have made headlines in the local press. Our team has taken action and prepared a summary of all residence visa options in Dubai and the Emirates. Recently, the government of the United Arab Emirates launched a series of measures and new programs concerning residence visas. The obvious aim of these programs is to attract and retain talent in the country. The UAE aims to become the number one country in the world for living and working. For the United Arab Emirates, the priority is to offer a range of solutions for every resident and future resident. Dubai aims to become a central hub that offers professionals and talent from around the world a place to thrive and develop while helping showcase the country to the world. On 16/11/2021, a brand-new type of visa was announced: a five-year multiple-entry visa for employees of multinational companies. This visa is intended to facilitate their travel to the Emirates for business visits such as conferences, events, and more. This visa is valid for 90 days, with the possibility of renewing it once for an additional 90 days. Here is a brief summary of the main residence visas introduced by the UAE at the federal level.

Golden Visa

Revealed in 2019, Golden Visas are part of a 5- or 10-year residence program granted to a specific segment of the population: investors, entrepreneurs, individuals with exceptional talents, researchers, and top students.

Golden Visa benefits

The greatest advantage of this type of visa is the possibility of being your own sponsor while owning 100% of a company in the UAE.

Who can apply for a Golden Visa?

Access to these residence visas was restricted, but over the past two years, Golden Visas have been extended to other professional categories such as doctors, PhD holders, scientists, innovators, researchers, humanitarian workers, investors, entrepreneurs, managers, CEOs, and specialists in the fields of science, engineering, electronics, coding, electricity, healthcare, education, business management, and technology. But that is not all: students who have achieved a GPA of 3.8 or higher at an accredited university based in the United Arab Emirates may also qualify for a Golden Visa.

Green Visa

The Green Visa was recently revealed in September 2021 as part of the Projects of the 50 announced by the government. More information about the Projects of the 50 HERE. This visa aims to offer "self-sponsorship" to highly skilled individuals in their field.

Green Visa benefits

This visa makes it possible to self-sponsor without needing a sponsor to sponsor you. It also makes it possible to sponsor family members, including parents and children. Previously, sons could only be sponsored until the age of 18; with this Green Visa, they can now be sponsored until the age of 25.

Who can apply for a Green Visa?

Those eligible for a Green Visa include investors, entrepreneurs, business owners, students, and high-achieving graduates.

Freelancer Visa

This brand-new type of visa allows freelancers and self-employed individuals based in the United Arab Emirates and abroad to sponsor themselves.

Freelancer Visa benefit

This visa makes it possible to self-sponsor without needing a sponsor to sponsor you. In addition, it allows you to hold different jobs at the same time in the country.

Who can apply for a Freelancer Visa?

This type of visa is intended only for certain fields, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital currencies.

Multiple-entry tourist visa

This visa was announced in March 2021. The United Arab Emirates introduced this visa for tourists, allowing them multiple entries over a period of five years. Tourists can stay in the country for 90 days, and these 90 days can be extended by an additional 90 days.

Remote work visa

Also announced in March 2021, the Emirates introduced this new remote work visa, more commonly known as the "remote work visa." It allows employees of companies not based in Dubai or the United Arab Emirates to come and live and work remotely from the Emirates. This visa is valid for 1 year.

Remote work visa benefit

With this visa, you will not need a sponsor to sponsor you. This visa also offers great flexibility and access to a dynamic business environment and endless networking opportunities.

Who can apply for a remote work visa?

Start-ups, entrepreneurs, and those with proof of employment are therefore eligible for this type of new visa.

Retirement visa

In September 2018, the Emirates approved and introduced a new residence visa scheme. This 5-year visa is intended for retirees over the age of 55, with the possibility of renewal, subject to certain conditions. More recently, in November 2021, new measures concerning retirees in the United Arab Emirates were introduced. Changes were made to facilitate the conditions for expatriates wishing to remain in the country after retirement.

Retirement visa benefit

With this visa, you will not need a sponsor to sponsor you. You will be your own sponsor. It also allows you to retain assets acquired in the United Arab Emirates and offers the opportunity to live and thrive in a stable, sustainable environment.

Who can apply for a retirement visa?

The eligibility conditions for this type of visa are highly regulated. Eligible individuals are retirees who meet one of the following conditions:

• own one or more properties worth Dh 1 million (valuation to be carried out by the relevant entity in each Emirate);
• have a bank deposit of at least AED 1 million;
• or have an active income of at least AED 180,000 per year.

Temporary work permit

This type of visa was also announced in September as part of the Projects of the 50 announced by the government. This type of permit allows teenagers to obtain part-time employment in order to put their knowledge into practice and develop their skills. Valid for 1 year, this visa aims to prepare young people for the job market while they continue their studies.

Another major change: United Arab Emirates citizenship

At the beginning of 2021, major changes concerning the Emirates' citizenship law were unveiled. Residents and their families can now, subject to certain conditions, obtain an Emirati passport while retaining their original nationality.

Benefits of Emirati citizenship

One of the main benefits is the possibility of becoming a full member of the United Arab Emirates community.

Who can apply for Emirati citizenship?

Not all categories are eligible for Emirati citizenship. Only doctors, scientists, engineers, artists, authors, inventors, investors, and their families. More information at this link. All these residence programs demonstrate the Emirates' genuine desire to attract and retain talent from around the world. There are now solutions for every profile, from tourists to professionals. In addition to all these options, you can obtain residence in the United Arab Emirates by setting up a company in a Dubai free zone, on the mainland, or by establishing a holding company in Dubai. Our firm handles all the administrative procedures for setting up a company and obtaining residence in Dubai. Contact us: support@merritt.group