59A7D41EB44EABC4F2C2B68D88211BF4 UAE Visa Rules & Procedures - UAE Law Updates for 2025

Sunday, November 23, 2008

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).

Thursday, August 21, 2008

How to avoid Labour Ban In Dubai

I am working for a private sector company in Dubai, but I wish to join another company. What do I have to do? If I leave my present company they will ban me so I cannot come back immediately. So kindly advise me on how to break the ban.

I would like to say that if the questioner resigns from their current company then he will be subject to either a six-month ban in case of an ordinary cancellation which does not include any violation of the labour law, or a one-year ban if he has breached his labour contract.

Therefore, I advise the questioner to seek an amicable agreement with his employer in order to be granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) to transfer his visa. His employer might accept this if the employee, for instance, compensates him for all expenses incurred in issuing his visa and other expenses.

Lifting Labour Ban in Dubai

I am currently working with my employer but I want to work for another company once I complete one year of service. The other company asked me if my current one could provide a No Objection Certificate. I consulted our administration personnel who told me they could provide one. Am I safe doing this? What else do I need to consider, to avoid being banned?

The Ministry of Labour has amended the labourers' Visa Transfer Law, which, I believe, are in favour of both - the labourers and the labour market.

The ministry has ceased the previous condition that obligates the labourer to complete one year continuous service for his/her employer before being permitted to transfer his/her visa to another employer. According to the new rule, the Ministry of Labour no longer requires such a condition. So, any labourer who has not completed a year's service for his/her employer may transfer to another employer after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer to transfer the visa to another employer, provided that the newly imposed fees should be settled.

Such fees are called "the one year non-completion fees" which is calculated at the rate of Dh500 per month. For instance, if the employee continues a period of two months service only then he/she would be obliged to pay a fee of Dh5,000 for 10 months.

Now any labourer, who completes a period of three years service and who could not obtain an NOC, can resign and can approach the Ministry of Labour and the ministry - as per his demand - will cancel the visa and apply a six-month ban. With the new rules and upon completion of three years' service, this ban can be lifted and the employee can transfer to another employer without the need to obtain such NOC from the previous employer, provided that the newly imposed fees should be settled in addition to the visa transfer fees. Such new fees are called 'ban lifting fees'.

Worth saying is that this new law is not applicable in Abu Dhabi but might be in the future. Therefore, the reader as per the new law will not have any problem as long as the company has promised to grant him a n NOC to transfer his visa.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Residence visa renewal linked to tenancy contract in Sharjah

Thousands of families who live in shared accommodation in Sharjah will be hard hit by the new rule of the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department requiring a tenancy contract in the applicant's name or his close relative.

According to the new regulations, those applying for residency visas for their families should produce a copy of their tenancy contract.

The contract, which is considered proof of one's eligibility to afford a family, must be attested by the Sharjah Municipality.

Residents said they will have to send their families back home as it is no longer affordable to rent a one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment in Sharjah.

Many said since the rents started skyrocketing in Sharjah in the last two years by more than 30 to 50 per cent, people have opted for shared accommodation. Under the new rule they will not be able to renew their residency permits without having tenancy contracts in their names.

Lieutenant Colonel Salim Ali Mazaini, head of the visa section at the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department, told Gulf News that the rule has been introduced to ensure that only those who are financially capable of providing decent accommodation can bring their families to the emirate.

"We are not insisting that the tenancy contract should be in the applicant's name. The contract can be in the name of his close relatives also, such as a brother or sister," said Mazaini.

He added that it is acceptable to share living space with one's own family members, but not with friends.

According to him, the rule is not applicable to professionals like doctors, engineers and people in managerial positions because they earn enough money to sponsor their families.

"We are being very flexible and taking each application on a case by case basis. For example, if a family does not have children, a studio flat in their name is more than enough to get a family residence permit. Or if a family with one or two children can show that they are sharing a three-bedroom apartment with a close relative, it will also get them the residency status," Mazaini said.

However, some residents said their applications have been rejected even after they produced tenancy contracts of their relatives.

Hussain, a Sharjah resident who refused to give his second name, said his application to sponsor his family was rejected because he could not produce a tenancy contract.

"Now with this new rule, I doubt whether I can bring my wife and child to the UAE," said Hussain who works as an administrative assistant.

Another resident, Riyas Mohammad from Pakistan, said he has shelved his plan to bring his family because of the new regulations.

New categories: Renewal for one year only

The Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency department has also issued a list of 60 categories of low income groups including hairdressers, butchers, shop assistants, chefs, clerks and others for whom residency permits will be renewed only for a period of one year. These categories must also get prior approval before their applications are typed.

The typing centres have been instructed that the categories listed below need prior approval before applications are typed.

Beauty therapist
Spice/pulse grinder
Watchman
Dining-room servant
Fishmonger
Fisherman
Calligrapher
Digger
Porter
Office boy
Pipe fitter
Cobbler
Sailor
Pipe filer
Grocer
Tyre repairer
Shoemaker
Manicurist
Hairdresser
Clerk
Follow-up clerk
Archive clerk
Tinker
Mechanic assistant
Ironsmith
Welder
Carpenter
Builder
Shop attendants
Light vehicle driver
Barber
Makeup artist
Janitor
Shift operator
Typist
Watchman
Chef
Turner
Plumber
Tile fitter
Meat griller
Falafel maker
Dessert maker
Pastry maker
Waiter
Machine operator
Clothes presser
Car washer
Coffee maker
Butcher
Slaughterer
Painter
Tailor
Baker
Kneader
Goldsmith
Electrician
Upholsterer
Blancher
Drawer/draftsman