UAE RESIDENCY OPTIONS- 2022

Over the past decade the UAE has become one of the most popular jurisdictions worldwide for the relocation of individuals. With no taxes applied on individuals, straight forward administrative requirements and low processing costs, coupled with excellent accessibility, high-quality of life, political stability and sunny weather year-round, the UAE is indeed a very attractive proposal as a residency jurisdiction.

This section provides information on how you can apply for a UAE residence visa. Find out about the eligibility and the requirements to work, invest, study and live in the UAE.

VISA OPTIONS

1. Residence Visa (mainland & Free zone)
   • 2 year visa for employees & 3 year Visa for Investors in Mainland
   • 3 year visa for employees & 3 year Visa for Investors in Free Zone

2. Real estate investment Visa
   • 3 year property visa ( property value above 750,000AED)
   • 5 year property visa ( Property value above 2 million )

3. Golden Visa ( Public investment)
   • Public Investment of AED 2 million – 10 year residency visa
   • AED 500,000+ project – 5 year Residency visa
   • Accredited UAE business incubator- 5 year Residency visa

4. Retirees Visa- 55 years of age and above
   • Financial Savings of AED 1 million - 5 year Residency visa
   • Income of AED 15,000 per month - 5 year Residency visa
   • Real estate investment in the UAE of AED 1 million - 5 year Residency visa

5. Specialist Visa - 10 year residency visa

6. Green Visa – 5 year Self Residency visa

7. Freelancer Visa – Work Permit
   1. Individuals can apply for freelancer work permit and visa. Permit valid for 3 years and visa renewable every year.

What’s new in 2022?

The UAE has overhauled its UAE’s immigration framework once again, with the formal introduction of a Green card visa system (Validity: 5 & 10 years) and a Permanent Residency for investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents and researchers.

The new measures have been introduced to enhance the competitiveness and flexibility of the UAE labor market, facilitate sector growth, spur knowledge transfer and skills development, and create greater stability and security for residents.

The UAE Government also announced it would allow people who have lost their jobs to remain in the country for up to 180 days from the earlier 30 days. UAE also launched a 5 year five-year multi-entry tourist visas. The five-year multi-entry visas allow visitors to enter the UAE several times over a calendar year or stay for 90 days at a time with the ability to extend the visa for an additional 90 days.

What are the other specific regulatory changes related to visas?

• Extension of business trip permits from three months to six months
• Sponsorship of parents under the visa of direct family members
• One-year residency extension for humanitarian cases
• Extension of children’s age limit on parents’ residency from 18 to 25 years
• Extension of grace period upon job loss or retirement to 90 to 180 days

The UAE’s Green visa is a type of residence visa, that allows its holder to sponsor himself/herself for 5 years, eliminating the need of a UAE national or employer to sponsor his/her visa.

Benefits of Green visa

• The Green visa provides more benefits to family members, compared to the regular residence visa. Benefits include:
• Getting residence permits easily for family members, including spouse, children and first-degree relatives

the ability to sponsor their male children up to 25 years (previously 18 years), with no age limit for unmarried daughters.

• Children of determination (those with special needs) are granted a residence permit, regardless of their age.
• Longer flexible grace periods that reach up to 6 months to stay in the UAE after the residence permit is cancelled or has expired.
• The residency of family members will be the same as that of the original residence visa holder.

Who can apply for a Green visa?

The following categories can apply for a Green visa:

1- Freelancers/self-employed people

Freelancers and/or self-employed people who wish to apply for a Green visa need to submit:

• A freelance/self-employment permit from Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
• Proof of a bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma
• Evidence of annual income from self-employment for the previous two years for an amount not less than AED 360,000, or prove financial solvency throughout their stay in the UAE.

2- Skilled employees

To apply for a Green visa, skilled employees must:

• Have a valid employment contract
• Be classified in the first, second or third occupational level as per Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
• Hold a minimum of bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Have a salary of not less than AED 15,000.

3- Investors or partners

The Green visa for investors is given to investors establishing or participating in commercial activities. It replaces the previous residence visa that was valid for 2 years only. Requirements include:

• Approval of the investment and proof of investment (If the investor/partner has more than one license, the total invested capital will be calculated.)
• Approval of the competent local authorities.

What is a business visa?

A business visa is part of the Golden Visa system under which foreigners can obtain a long-term visa for themselves and their dependents. It aims to create an attractive environment for businesses and the UAE’s economic growth.

Eligibility criteria

Professionals from any country with entrepreneurial experience are eligible to apply for the business visa. An eligible entrepreneur is anyone who has set up a business of his own at some point in his career, and wishes to do so again in the UAE.

To obtain the business applicants, you must:

• Be able to substantiate your experience as an entrepreneur
• Have been a majority shareholder of a start-up or a member of its senior leadership
• Be willing to relocate to the UAE and legally establish a business in one of the seven emirates
• Have a business idea or a business plan that you wish to bring to life in the UAE.

In addition, applicants must successfully pass the requirements of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, and Customs & Ports Security, including a background check and health assessment.

Qualifying for the business visa does not guarantee that the applicant will receive the visa. Specialized committees review the application and the attached documents, and grant an approval accordingly. Once approved, the applicant will be required to follow the requirements of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, and Customs & Ports Security in order to be issued the visa.

Visa rules for UAE residence visa holders travelling abroad

If people who hold a UAE residence visa live outside the UAE for more than six months continuously, their residence visa will be automatically nullified. However, there are some exceptions to the rule. These are explained on this page.

The general rule is that if expatriate residents, that is, people who hold a UAE residence visa, live outside UAE for more than six months continuously, their residency visa will be automatically nullified. If this happens, they will have to apply for a new entry permit to enter the UAE again.

However, there are some exceptions to the rule, which allow the resident expatriate to stay outside the UAE for more than six months and at the same time maintain the validity of his residence visa. They include:

• Foreigner wife of an Emirati citizen who is on the sponsorship of her husband
• Expatriate government employees sent abroad for treatment, provided they submit a medical report approved by Ministry of Health and Prevention or other medical authorities in the UAE.
• Domestic helpers accompanying Emiratis for studies or medical treatment
• Domestic helpers accompanying members of diplomatic and consular missions representing the UAE abroad and employees of such missions holding residence visas in the UAE
• Expatriate residents working for the public sector sent by their employers to attend training or specialist courses, or those working in their employers' offices abroad and their families who are holders of valid residence visas in the UAE
• Expatriate students studying in universities or institutes abroad (as per Dubai rules). Check with the GDRFA if this applies to your emirate of residence.