How to get a residence permit in the UAE in 2021?

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How to get a residence permit in the UAE in 2021?

There are many reasons for wanting to move to the United Arab Emirates. The country offers a high standard of living, no income taxes in most business areas (the only exceptions being the oil & gas businesses and the banking sector), and an extremely low crime rate. However, if you wish to relocate to the UAE, you must apply for a special visa. If you are thinking about relocation, please read on to find out how to apply for a residence permit in the UAE in 2021.

How to get a permanent residence permit in the UAE

There are several grounds for applying for a residence permit in the Arab Emirates:

Investing in the economy (starting a business or purchasing real estate)
Getting admitted to a local college
Getting employed at a company that operates in the UAE
Having a confirmed income as a freelancer or a self-employed person
Being a unique specialist, a scientist, an outstanding talent, etc.

It is important to remember that the above grounds do not make you eligible for citizenship. However, having a residence visa has several advantages.

The benefits of having a permanent residence permit in the UAE are as follows:

Right to reside in the country long-term
Capability to run a business in the UAE and apply for tax residence. There is no income tax involved (only banks and companies producing oil, gas, and some other natural resources are not exempt from these taxes)
Capability to open an account at a local bank, get a medical insurance, and a driver’s license
Right to visit the Emirates whenever you like, as long as the time between visits does not exceed half a year

Types of UAE residence visas

There are different types of visas depending on the basis for application.

property in Dubai

Business Visa (Entrepreneur Visa) Available for owners or partners of companies registered in Dubai. This is a renewable 2-year visa

Student Visa Issued to persons who were admitted to a local university for the duration of study. You need to be a fluent English speaker to get enrolled, as the candidates need to submit IELTS or TOEFL test results before admittance. Most colleges also require that the academic year be paid for in full upfront

Work Visa This kind of visa is requested by the host company. The expat may only work at this company, not in any other enterprise in the UAE. Professionals who have confirmed their expertise can apply for a residence permit

Green Visa Self-employed professionals, freelancers, and highly qualified specialists who can confirm an annual income of at least AED 360,000 (USD 98,000) over two years are eligible for this visa. It is a renewable five-year visa

Family (Dependent) Visa Close family members of UAE residents are eligible for this type of visa – spouses, unmarried daughters, or sons under 25 years. The validity term is the same as that of the resident’s visa

Retirement Visa This is another renewable visa available to people over 55 years with savings worth at least AED 1 million (USD 272,500) or a monthly income of at least AED 20,000 (USD 5,500). It is valid for 5 years

How to apply for a residence visa

You have to collect a package of documents and submit an application to receive a residence permit in the UAE. Different documents are required for each visa type. For instance, you need documents confirming admittance to an authorized higher education institution to apply for a student visa. A work visa requires a formal job offer from a UAE company (employers usually help employees to procure all the necessary papers).

For a family visa, you will need marriage and birth certificates, a confirmation of your sponsor’s residence, and a proof of their financial solvency. If you invest in real estate, you will need a title deed for the purchased property. An entrepreneur’s visa requires documents confirming that you started a business.

To apply for a UAE residence permit, all applicants must also get a minor medical examination and purchase a medical insurance. Insurance is mandatory for a UAE residence permit. All residents of this country must have a medical insurance policy.

Documents required for a residence permit

The documents required to apply for a residence permit in the UAE always include:

An international passport
A filled-in application form
Two 43×55 mm color photographs
Medical examination certificates
Documents that make you eligible for a visa (see above)
Consulate fee payment slip
Proof of applicant’s income

Where to apply for an entry permit or a visa

You can apply for a residence permit on the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or via the General Directorate for Residence and Foreigners (GDFRA).

You can also fill out an application for a new visa or visa renewal on the eChannels web portal. To do this, you first need to register on the platform.

You can submit an application on the GDRFA web portal by selecting the place where it will be submitted, such as:

Dubai – GDRFA (Dubai)
Sharjah – GDRFA (Sharjah)
Abu Dhabi – GDRFA (Abu Dhabi)
Fujairah – GDRFA (Fujairah)
Ajman – GDRFA (Ajman)
Ras Al Khaimah – GDRFA (Ras Al Khaimah)

There are Apple and Android mobile apps to submit an application online:

GDRFA Dubai app
ICA UAE eChannels

You can also fill out an application by going to one of the official press centers or the Amer center, which issues entry permits.

Residence visas for foreigners

Many foreigners select the UAE as the relocation destination. The rules are the same for nationals of all other countries. Some are eligible for a 90-day Visa on Arrival (VoA), allowing you to get your bearings while the documents are being processed

If you are planning to move to the UAE, it is a good idea to seek professional assistance. The real estate agency in Dubai AX CAPITAL specializes in helping its clients to purchase residential and commercial properties in the United Arab Emirates. Our team will gladly assist you to select a property, provide legal support at various stages of closing the deal, and explain how to apply for a UAE residence permit upon purchasing real estate.