Resident visa in Dubai, UAE: how to get and its benefits in 2023

UAE Resident Visaprovides the possibility of legal residence in the country for up to 10 years and is available for renewal an unlimited number of times, which gives a foreign citizen a unique opportunity to become a permanent resident of the Emirates for all the years of his life.

• The minimum value of a resident investor visa is $205,000 dollars.

• Infinite number of visa extensions.

• 1-2 times a year- enough to come to the U.A.E.

A two-year-oldArab Emirates resident visais issued for the purchase of real estate in Dubai worth $205,000 or more. Property owners can also establish residency for their family, open a bank account and enjoy other benefits of living in the Emirates.

What is a UAE resident visa?

The UAE legislation does not have any concept of residency or permanent residence. Instead, foreigners may reside in the country in the status of a resident due to theresident visa.

UAE resident visa provides the following benefits:

• Prolonged stay in the territory of the country.

• Free entry and exit from the country.

• The possibility of not residing in the UAE permanently.

• Ability to open a bank account and get a loan.

• Obtaining UAE tax resident status.

• Opportunity to do business in the Emirates.

• Working for local companies.

• Opportunity to send children to local schools.

• University tuition.

• Health insurance and access to health services.

• Getting a driver's license.

• Applying for a Schengen visa and a US visa.

A resident may also transfer his or her family members to his or her home.

It is important to note that unlike UAE citizenship, residency status does not provide free access to medical care and education. It is virtually impossible for foreigners to obtain UAE citizenship.

How do I get a resident visa in the UAE?

Foreigners can obtain a UAE resident visa on the following grounds:

1. Employment with a company registered in the UAE.

2. Enrollment in an educational institution in the UAE.

3. Starting your own business in Free Economic Zones.

4. Buying real estate.

5. Large investments in the country's economy.

6. Outstanding achievements in the field of science.

7. Retirement with sufficient financial resources.

8. Work as a freelancer or remote worker if you have sufficient income.

Male resident family members, including wife, children and parents, are also eligible to move to the UAE. Female residents can only bring their husband and children and must meet additional income and occupation requirements.

It is important to note that resident visa holders must travel to the UAE at least 1-2 times a year, depending on the type of visa, to maintain their residency status.

Types of long-term resident visas in the UAE in 2023

1. Visa for 1 or 2 years:

   • Foreigners applying for a job in the UAE are granted a visa for one or two years, depending on the duration of the work contract.

   • Students at UAE universities and colleges receive a student visa for one year and can renew it during the academic period.

2. Visa for 2 years:

   • A two-year resident visa can be issued when purchasing real estate in Dubai worth $205,000 or more.

   • This visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times every three years.

   • The investor can also arrange visas for their family members.

3. Visa for 5 years:

   • A five-year UAE resident visa is issued to the following categories of foreigners:

     • Freelancers, self-employed and remote workers earning $4,084 or more per month.

     • Entrepreneurs with authorized capital of AED 500,000 or more and owners of companies approved by the local business incubator.

     • Talented students with a high grade point average.

   • In September 2022, a new law came into effect whereby investors in real estate worth at least AED 2 million receive a resident visa for 10 years, rather than 5 years as previously.

4. Visa for 10 years (“UAE Golden Visa”):

   • The following foreigners can apply for a ten-year UAE visa:

     • Buyers of properties valued at AED 2 million (approximately US$545,000) or more. The property must have been owned for at least three years.

     • Investors who have invested AED 10 million or more in the UAE. Investments may include a deposit in a bank, the establishment of a company with an authorized capital of at least AED 10 million or investments in other sectors of the economy.

     • Highly qualified professionals such as doctors, scientists, inventors, executives of internationally recognized companies or institutes, with a working contract in the UAE.

   • All of the above types of visas are multiple-entry visas and can be extended if the conditions under which residency was obtained, such as owning real estate or operating a business, are maintained.

5. Visa for pensioners for 5 years:

   • Pensioners over the age of 55 can obtain a 5-year resident visa if they have purchased real estate worth AED 2 million or more, have savings of at least AED 1 million, or have a monthly income of at least AED 20,000.

It is important to note that all of these types of UAE visas are multiple-entry visas, and visa holders can renew them if the conditions under which they were granted are met.

Documentsdfor obtaining a resident visa in the UAE

1. Original foreign passport.

2. Marriage certificate and birth certificates of children (for those bringing their family). These documents need to be apostilled in Russia and then legalized at the UAE consulate.

3. Photos on a white background.

4. A medical certificate confirming good health after a medical examination.

5. Medical insurance.

6. Certificate of no criminal record.

7. Application for an identification card.

Additional documents that may be required:

• Official job offer (for hired employees).

• A copy of the higher education diploma with a notarized translation (for hired employees and future university students in the UAE).

• A bank statement confirming income (for sponsors who are bringing their family to the UAE).

• Certificate from the educational institution confirming that the investor's son is studying (for the visa application for family members for sons).

Where to submit documents for a residency visa:

Documents are submitted toFederal Authority for Identity & Citizenshipor inGeneral Directorate of Residency & Foreigners AffairsThere is also the option to submit them online.

The process of obtaining a residency visa when purchasing real estate in Dubai:

Stage 1.