Visa Process
In UAE there are several types of visa, the most common is investor visa, alongside freelance visa and dependent visa, as well as standard employment visa which is offered and fully covered by your employer. Investor visas can be issued based on your UAE based business or owned property (the value of the property should be a minimum 750,000 AED for 2 years residency visa).
Types of Visa:
- Property - Investor visa
- Business - Investor visa
- Freelance visa (based on a legally issued freelance licence)
- Dependent Visa (Wife/Husband/Children/Parents)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most cost-effective option for obtaining a residency visa in the UAE?
It is a dependent visa. However, if you don't have any first-degree family members working officially in the UAE and meeting the required salary criteria, the alternative would be to register for a freelance licence and, based on that, obtain a freelance residency visa.
What is a freelance visa, and how is it issued?
A freelance visa is a residency visa in the UAE issued based on your freelance licence. It is important to highlight that the only legally compliant way to obtain a freelance visa is through a freelance licence issued by the relevant government authority (either in a free zone or on the mainland).
A freelance visa offered by companies that only process the visa without providing the licence is not legally compliant, even though it may be a more cost-effective and commonly used option in the market. In the UAE, it is crucial to respect the law and remain fully compliant with all local regulations.
How long will it take to issue the residency visa?
It will take about 15 working days, depending on the visa type. For property-related visas, the process may take less time. However, for an investor visa based on your business, the time frame depends on the jurisdiction in which your business is incorporated, as well as the approval of immigration authorities. That said, the average processing time is 15 working days.
Can I obtain the residency visa without being present in the country?
No, once your residency visa process has started, you must remain in the country until the entire process is completed and you receive your visa and Emirates ID. If you leave the country during this period, you will have to start the process from scratch.