15 Important Things You Should Know about Residence Visa UAE

15 Essential Things You Need to Know About Residence Visas UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a popular destination for people from around the world seeking employment, education, or simply a change of scenery. If you are planning to move to the UAE to live, work or invest obtaining a residence visa UAE is a crucial step in the process and it is important to understand the requirements, restrictions, and costs involved. 

I have compiled a list of important things that anyone considering a UAE residence visa should know. From the types of visas available to the renewal process, job restrictions, and eligibility for citizenship, this article will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about obtaining a residence visa in the UAE.

1. Types of Residence Visa UAE:

The UAE offers different types of residence visas such as employment visas, investor visas, family visas,  Golden Visa, Retirement Visa and student visas. Each type has specific requirements and documentation that must be submitted.

2. Sponsorship for Residence Visa UAE:

In order to obtain a residence visa in the UAE, you need a sponsor, who can be an employer, a family member or a company. The sponsor is responsible for applying for. However, there are certain visas it does not require sponsorship Golden visa, Green Visa, Remote work visa, Retirement residence, Real Estate Owner’s Residence.

3. Required documents for Residence Visa UAE:

You also need to submit certain documents, when you are applying for a residence visa depending on your position as an applicant – whether you are a parent, sponsoring your child, or a student, planning to live in the UAE to study at a university here.

Below is a list of documents that you may need to provide:

• A recent coloured personal photo with a white background for the dependent
• A copy of the passport of the dependent
• Emirates ID application receipt
• Housing lease contract (certified) or proof of owning a residence
• A copy of the sponsor’s passport with a valid residence permit
• Job contract of the sponsor
• A medical fitness certificate (for dependents above 18 years)
• Entry permit
• Attested birth certificate of the dependent (children)
• Mother’s residence photo (for the newborn)
• Medical insurance or health card
• Divorce or death certificate (for divorced women and widows)
• Proof of housing (for divorced women and widows)
• A proof of the woman’s ability to earn a living (for divorced women and widows)
• A certificate issued by the university or institute specifying the duration of the study (for students). 

4. Validity of a Residence Visa UAE:

Residence visas in UAE can be issued for one, two or three years, if your visa is being sponsored by someone else. However, the UAE has also recently introduced self-sponsored visas, which have a duration of five or 10 years. The five-year visa may be a Green Visa  or even a  retirement visa. The 10-year Golden Visa, on the other hand, is issued to certain categories of professionals, investors and individuals who have contributed to the UAE society. For dependent’s visa is being sponsored by a family member and your visa validity cannot exceed that of your sponsor’s, according to UAE, the official website of the UAE government.

5. Medical test Residence Visa UAE:

A residence visa requires applicants who are 18 years and above to undergo a medical test to prove that they are medically fit. They must also pass a security check and apply for an Emirates ID from ICP.

6. Health Insurance:

All residents of the UAE are required to have health insurance. Your sponsor may provide this for you, or you may need to purchase it on your own.

7. Extension of the Residence Visa UAE for divorced women and widows:

If a woman in the UAE is living under her husband’s visa and he either passes away or they get divorced, the UAE government allows her to stay in the country for an additional year on her current visa. This extension also applies to her children if they were on their father’s visa at the time of his death or the divorce. The visa can be renewed once, and she does not need a new sponsor. It’s important to note that their visas must have been valid at the time of the husband’s death or the divorce, and the duration of the children’s visa cannot be longer than the mother’s.

8. Resident’s stay outside the UAE:

The general rule is that if an expatriate resident lives outside the UAE for more than 180 days continuously, his or her residence visa will be nullified automatically. However, recently, ICP announcement a new entry permit which allows UAE residents who may have stayed outside the UAE for more than six months to re-enter the country. Once you apply for this permit, you can re-enter the UAE on your existing residence visa, if your application is approved. If your application is rejected, you would be required to apply for a new residence visa. Also, there are some exceptions which allow an expatriate resident to stay outside the UAE for more than six months and at the same time maintain the validity of his or her residence visa. The exceptions are:

• Foreigner wife who is sponsored by her Emirati husband.
• Employees for a government body who are sent abroad for treatment provided they have a valid medical report approved by the Ministry of Health and Prevention or other approved health authorities in UAE.
• Servants accompanying UAE nationals delegated to study abroad.
• Domestic workers accompanying members of diplomatic and consular missions who represent the UAE abroad, employees of these missions who have a residence visa in the UAE,
• Public sector employees sent by their employer to attend training or specialised courses, employees at employers’ offices abroad and their families provided they have a valid residence visas in the UAE
• Expatriate students studying in universities or institutes abroad.

9. Benefits of having a Residence Visa UAE:

There are also several benefits of being a legitimate resident in the UAE, like easily opening a bank account, applying for a UAE driving licence and getting access to go government health services, Register your children in government schools and in private schools, work and invest, Travel visa–free to certain destinations, Access financial facilities and health insurance.

10. Renewing your Residence Visa UAE:

It is also important to note that before your visa expires, it has to be renewed by you (in case of a self-sponsored visa) or your sponsor. A renewed visa will let you continue living legally in the UAE without incurring fines or facing legal consequences for the same.

However, UAE residence visas also offer a grace period after the visa expires, which can be for a month, and extend  up to six month for certain types of visas.

The ICP has standardised the overstaying fines in UAE . According to the new rules, visit, tourist and residence visa overstaying fees have standardised at Dh50 per day.

11. Cancelling your Residence Visa UAE

If you are a UAE resident planning to relocate, you must ensure that you cancel your residence visa. This can be done by your visa sponsor, which could be your employer or your family member, or by yourself, in case you are on a self-sponsored visa. In case your visa is sponsored by a company, before your work permit and residence visa can be cancelled, your company must confirm that all of your end-of-service entitlements have been paid. Once you have confirmed receipt of these dues in writing, your employer can proceed with cancellation through the appropriate authorities, such as the MOHRE or GDRFA, depending on where your visa was issued.

12. Restrictions:

The UAE has strict laws and regulations that must be followed by all residents. Violations of these laws can result in fines, imprisonment, and deportation.

13. Eligibility for citizenship:

Just obtaining a residence visa in the UAE doesn’t make someone eligible for citizenship. Specific requirements must be met to become a citizen, including being born in the UAE or being married to a UAE national.

14. Job restrictions:

Some residence visas are tied to specific jobs, meaning that you are only allowed to work in the profession for which your visa was issued. If you want to switch jobs, you will need to obtain a new visa.

15. Cost of Residence Visa UAE:

Obtaining a residence visa in the UAE can be expensive, with costs varying depending on the type of visa and other factors. It is important to budget for these expenses before making the move.

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In conclusion, obtaining a UAE residence visa is an important step for anyone planning to live and work in the country. By understanding the types of visas available, the requirements and restrictions that come with them, and the costs involved, you can ensure a smoother transition to life in the UAE.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Residence Visa UAE: