59A7D41EB44EABC4F2C2B68D88211BF4 U.A.E Visa Rules and Procedures-Law updates -free legal advice: November 2008

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Residency Visas - 3 years


Note that you cannot open a bank account, register a car, get a telephone connected, and so on until you have a residency visa or permit.
Usually residents will be sponsored by their employer (or an employed member of their family). The sponsor will normally make the visa arrangements and explain to you what documents you need. For those employed from overseas, the employer is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining your work permit (or labour card) and residency visa.
  • If you are sponsoring family members, cost is 300 dhs for each visa, valid for 3 years but it expires if the person is out of the UAE for a period more than 6 months.
  • It is possible to sponsor parents but a special request needs to be made. If successful, a deposit of 5,000 dhs (refundable) for each parent is required, visa validity is one year (renewable) and cost is 100 dhs per year.

Residency Visas for free hold property purchases - 3 years

If you own property in Dubai, Ajman, or Ras Al Khaimah then you are probably entitled to apply for a residency visa. There are some conditions and restrictions though.

  • The residency visa is only available to the first named owner of the property (consider which name to put first if it's a joint purchase).
  • The residency visa is not available until after the property is completed.
  • You can only apply for a residency visa under this scheme if you don't have any other way of obtaining a residency visa.
  • There will be a charge (about 5000 dhs in January 2008) for the residency visa application. For that, the developer makes the application on your behalf. That's not something you have a choice about.
  • Owning a property does not guarantee successful application for a residency visa. The immigration department decides that, not the property developer.
  • The residency visa only entitles you to live here, not to work here - you still need to apply for a work permit for employment.
  • Expat residents can still be deported for the normal deportation reasons.
  • In early 2008 there was a report that residence visas could be applied for before completion of property but no further information found to confirm that. Treat with skepticism any comments from property agents that indicate you can do this.
  • In mid-2008, the whole residence visa with property thing was in a state of flux in Dubai, due mostly to property developers and real estate agents misleading customers by advertising a "guaranteed residence visa" with property purchases, when there was no way they could "guarantee" a visa. Some developers have put applications on hold, and some reports say that authorities are no longer issuing residence visas on this basis. Get information from either the DNRD or the master property developer before committing to a purchase if your decision depends on whether or not you are eligible for a residence visa. Treat whatever a real estate agent or developer says (other than the master developer - and even then be careful) with a pinch of salt.

Dubai visa List and fees


TypeLengthCostRenewEffectiveNotes
Conference Visit Visa30 daysDh100no01 Aug 2008 
Employment Visa30 days   employer arranges, not a work permit, entry only
Exhibition Visa    see Conference Visa
Family Visit Visa60 daysDh100 *not availablemin 3-6k salary requirement, Dh2000 deposit
Friend Visit Visa30 days  01 Aug 2008min 10k salary, Dh1000 deposit, not confirmed
Friend Visit Visa60 daysDh100 *not availablemin 3-6k salary requirement, Dh2000 deposit
Investor Visa3 yrsDh300  invest Dh70k in company with UAE National
Medical Visit Visa90 daysDh1000yes, 1x01 Aug 2008renewal Dh500
Mission Entry Visa14 daysDh220no*not availableonly from hotels or companies
Mission Visa90 daysDh600yes, 1x*not availablerenewal Dh1200, need Temporary Work Permit first?
Mission Visa90 daysDh200no01 Aug 2008 
Multi-entry Visa180 daysDh1000 *not available30 day max per visit, company application only
Multi-entry Visa180 daysDh2000yes, ?x01 Aug 200814 day max stay each visit
Parent Visa1 yrDh100yes01 Aug 2008deposit Dh5000, need special FNRD permission
Relative Visa    see Family Visa
Residents Permit    see Residence Visa
Residence Visa3 yrs yes employer should arrange
Residence Visa - property3 yrsDh5000*yes *estimated, may vary
Residence Visa - family1-2 yrs   Dh5000 deposit needed
Student Visa (residence)    ask college or university when applying for entry
Student Visit Visa60 daysDh1000yes, 2x01 Aug 2008UAE university registration, renewal Dh500
Tourist Visa30 daysDh120no*not availableonly from hotels and tour operators
Tourist Visa30 daysDh110yes? 1x01 Aug 2008only from hotels and tour operators
Transit Visa96 hoursDh30no*not availablemay be free - conflicting information seen
Transit Visa96 hoursDh100no01 Aug 2008need outbound ticket, some reports say 14 days
Visit Visa 30 days30 daysDh500no01 Aug 2008 
Visit Visa 30/60 days30 daysfree*yes, ?x *see free visit visa nationalities list, may be 60 days
Visit Visa 60 days60 days yes, 2x*not available 
Visit Visa 90 days90 daysDh1000no01 Aug 2008 
Visit Visa GCC residents?30 daysDh100yes, 1x01 Aug 2008renewal Dh500
Visit Visa GCC nationals*30 daysDh100yes, 1x01 Aug 2008renewal Dh200, *visitors with GCC nationals
Visit Visa extension30 daysDh500no*not available 
Work Permit    not a visa, employer arranges after arrival in UAE
Work Visa    see Work Permit or Employment Visa
  • This information is correct to the best of our knowledge as of Tuesday 30-Sep-2008
  • * in "Effective" column means that visa type is expected to be no longer available after 01 August 2008.
  • * Residence Visas available via property purchases are in a state of flux with some reports saying they are not available. Whatever the true story is, no developer can "guarantee" a visa, and never could. They could only ever apply on your behalf to the UAE immigration / residency department, which would make the final decision.
  • Nationalities eligible for free visit visas on arrival will continue to be able to receive them after 01 August 2008, according to statements reported on 09 June 2008.
  • Visitors from countries which get a visit visa on arrival may still have a 60 day visit visa after 01 August 2008, even though passport will be stamped with a 30 day visa. Ask when you arrive how long it's valid for ... and tell others in the visit visa discussion.
  • If "Effective" column is empty, then that visa type will continue to be available as far as we know.
  • Most Visit Visas will require a deposit of 1000-2000 dhs to be left with the Naturalisation and Residency Department, refunded after visitor departs the UAE.
  • Limitations on renewal for free visit visas supposed to be 2x but many visitors have exceeded that with no problems.
  • Employers are required to arrange and pay for employee residence visas and work permits (but not their families).