Site icon

14 Types of Visas in UAE – All You Need to Know

types of visa | emiratesdiary.com

How many types of visas are there in UAE?

There are several types of visas and entry permits offered by the UAE Government for different purposes.

If you are planning for a holiday or looking for a job in UAE  or want to set up a business in UAE  here are some visa options. Some countries can obtain visa on arrival. However, you must check if you require a visa before you plan on travelling to the UAE.

You can check if you are eligible for a visa on arrival here.

There are different types of visas are available in UAE. If you are not eligible for visa on arrival you can choose any of the below options:

  1. Transit Visa-for 48 or 96 hours
  2. Tourist visa-30 day or 90 days
  3. Five Year Multiple Entry Visa
  4. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residents e-visa
  5. Job seeker visa
  6. Company-sponsored visa
  7. Sponsored by family
  8. Golden Visa
  9. Green Visa
  10. Student Visa
  11. Retirement Visa
  12. Company Shareholder Visa
  13. Golden Visa for Real Estate Investors
  14. Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs

Transit visa-for 48 or 96 hours

There are two kinds of transit visas available to travellers staying less than 48 or 96 hours in the UAE. You can apply for one at an UAE-based airline or a travel agency. You can also get one upon arrival if you’re flying with an airline headquartered in the UAE.

However, it’s important to note that transit visas are not extendable or renewable, and you must depart the country within 48 or 96 hours of arrival.


Tourist visa – 30-day or 90-day

The UAE tourist visa is available for a minimum of 30 days or 90 days and allows you to enter the country multiple times. It can be obtained from the following places:

To get a tourist visa, click here.


Five-Year Multiple Entry Visa

Five Year Multiple entry visas are a simple way to visit the UAE without needing to apply for new entry permits every time you visit. If you regularly visit the UAE or have family and friends here, a long-term multiple entry visa is the perfect choice.

The tourist visa can be applied for via the ICP website. To visit the UAE for up to 90 days in a six-month period, you will need to provide a bank statement showing a balance of at least $4,000 ( Dh14,700) or its equivalent in foreign currencies.


Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Residents e-visa

You may apply for the GCC e-visa online through the ICP or GDRFA website if you are a citizen of a GCC country or the family member of one. You must ensure that your GCC residency visa and passport are valid for at least three months after arrival if you are applying for the visa.

The entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and you are permitted to stay for 30 days after entering the country.


Job Seeker Visa

Beginning on October 3, 2022, the new job seeker visa will come into effect, allowing individuals to work, invest, and establish businesses in the UAE without a host or sponsor. To obtain the visa, you must fulfil the following requirements:


Company-Sponsored Visa

Ensure that you have an UAE work offer letter if you want to work in the UAE. Once you’ve accepted and signed the offer letter, the company will first issue an entry permit to allow you to visit the UAE.

Once you’ve arrived in the UAE, your employer will begin the visa application procedure. You will have to undergo a medical fitness test, give your fingerprints to the Emirates ID system, get a visa stamped onto your passport, and then receive your Emirates ID card.

For a step-by-step process on the UAE residence visa procedure, click here. It is also important to keep in mind that according to the UAE Labour Law, the employer must cover all of the visa and hiring costs.


Sponsored by Family

You may sponsor your family’s, spouse’s, or children’s residence visa if you are employed in the UAE, an investor or business owner in the UAE, or a property owner in the UAE.


Golden Visa

In April 2022, the UAE government expanded the categories for long-term residency visas. The UAE Golden Visa gives eligible residents the chance to stay for 10 years, and sponsor family members including spouses, children, and support staff.

Here are the categories:

Exceptional talents in the fields of:

Scientists and professionals

Outstanding students and graduates

Humanitarian pioneers

Frontline heroes

If you do fall under the eligible categories and are interested in applying for the Golden Visa, read our guide here, which will give you a breakdown on the entire process.


Green Visa

The Green Visa, awarded to those living or working in the UAE for at least five years without the need for a sponsor, provides a permanent residency permit without a sponsorship.

After visa cancellation or expiry, a six-month grace period is provided for the sponsoring of first degree relatives. These individuals are eligible to apply:

Freelancers (self-employment)

Skilled employees

Investors and partners


Student Visa

Higher education has become very popular in the UAE over the past few years due to the large number of international universities, a diverse student body, and a safe environment for students.

The student visa in the UAE is sponsored by the university but is administered and issued by the national General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) on each Emirate.

Students may stay on UAE visas for one year. They must provide official proof of their academic programme’s continuation in order to renew their visas.


Retirement Visa

The retirement visa is issued by Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), which means it’s only available in Dubai. Other Emirates haven’t introduced a retirement visa yet.

The retiree must be at least 55 years old to apply for this visa. It lasts for five years and can be renewed.


Company Shareholder Visa

If you want to establish a business or are listed as a shareholder, you may apply for a regular investor visa. A company shareholder visa is valid for three years.


Golden Visa for Real Estate Investors

Individuals who invest in real estate in the UAE and later obtain a Golden Visa can also qualify, but they must satisfy one of the following requirements:


Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs

To apply for a Golden visa, an entrepreneur must meet one of the following requirements:


 

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Exit mobile version