UAE Visa - Tourist, Residence & Golden Visa

Are you planning to visit or live in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or any of the seven Emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? Securing a visa or residence permit is essential. The UAE, home to a dynamic expatriate community from over 200 countries, offers various visa options to welcome global talent and facilitate diverse needs. Whether you are seeking short-term entry or long-term residency, each visa type has its own rights and privileges.

At Filings.ae, we are dedicated to guiding you through every step—from applying for your entry permit to securing your residence permit and Emirates ID, and even facilitating Dubai company formation.

Ready to start your journey to the UAE? Contact us now to find out more and begin your application!

UAE visa

A UAE visa is an official document that grants authorisation to enter the United Arab Emirates for a specified period. Issued by the UAE government, this visa defines the terms under which a foreign national may enter, stay, and, in certain instances, work or engage in business within the country. The types of UAE visas are diverse, ranging from tourist visas for brief visits to residence permits for prolonged stays to specific visas tailored for employment or business activities. The visitor's intended purpose in the UAE determines the appropriate visa type.

Who Needs a UAE Visa?

• GCC Nationals: Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman) do not need a visa to enter the UAE.
• Visa-Free Entry: Travelers from certain countries can enter the UAE for short visits, typically 30 to 180 days without a visa.
• Visa on Arrival: Some nationalities can obtain a visa directly upon arriving in the UAE, usually valid for 30 to 90 days.
• Tourists and Other Visitors: Visitors from countries without visa-free entry or visa on arrival must apply for a visa beforehand.
• Workers and Residents: Anyone planning to work or live in the UAE needs a residence visa, often sponsored by an employer or family member in the UAE.
• Students: International students attending UAE educational institutions need a student visa.
• Investors and Entrepreneurs: Those looking to invest or start a business in the UAE might apply for specific visas, such as investor or entrepreneur visas.

Talk to our experts to determine whether you need a visa to enter the UAE and to understand the specific requirements applicable to your situation.

Visa-Free Entry

As mentioned above, GCC (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman)citizens can enter the UAE without a visa. However, certain nationalities can apply for a visa on arrival, while others must apply in advance. It's crucial to assess your visa requirements before travelling to the UAE.

At Filings.ae, we assist you in securing the appropriate visas tailored to your needs.

Visa on Arrival in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates offers convenient visa-on-arrival options for visitors from certain countries, allowing them to enter the UAE without prior visa arrangements. Depending on the nationality, visitors can obtain different durations of stay:

30-Day Visa on Arrival

Visitors from eligible countries can receive a 30-day visa upon arrival. This visa includes a 10-day grace period, allowing for an extension if more time in the UAE is needed. This option is designed for short visits, such as tourism, business trips, or transit stays. Suppose you are a passport holder of Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Hong Kong (China), Japan, Kazakhstan, Macau (China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, San Marino, Singapore, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Vatican City. In that case, no advance visa arrangements are required to visit the UAE.

90-Day Visa on Arrival

Suppose you hold a passport from one of the countries or territories listed below. In that case, your passport will be stamped with a multiple-entry 90-day visit visa upon arrival, valid for six months from the date of issue and allowing a total stay of up to 90 days. Additionally, citizens of the European countries listed can apply for a pre-arranged visit visa if they fully utilise their 90-day visa on arrival.

Countries and territories eligible for this visa include:

Argentina, Austria, Bahamas Islands, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay.

180-Day Visa on Arrival

If you hold a Mexican passport, you are eligible for a multiple-entry 180-day visit visa upon arrival. This visa is valid for six months from the date of issue and permits a total stay of up to 180 days.

Special Provisions for Indian Citizens

Indian citizens holding a normal passport along with one of the following documents are eligible for a visa on arrival for up to 14 days, provided the accompanying visa or green card is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival into the UAE:

• A visit visa issued by the USA
• A green card issued by the USA
• A residence visa issued by the UK
• A residence visa issued by the EU

This provision is particularly helpful for Indian nationals travelling to the UAE from these regions or maintaining ties in the UAE and the aforementioned areas.

UAE Pre-Arranged Entry Permits

Anyone not eligible for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival will need to secure an entry permit before travelling to the UAE, with the sponsorship of a host within the country.

Types of Pre-Arranged Entry Permits

The type of entry permit you require depends on the purpose of your visit:

• Tourism
• Visit
• Transit
• Work

Requirements for a Pre-Arranged Entry Permit

Obtaining an entry permit involves several key requirements:

• Sponsorship: An entry permit must be sponsored by:

• An Emirati citizen
• An expatriate resident holding a valid UAE residency permit
• A UAE-based airline
• A UAE-based hotel or tour agent
• A government entity
• Private sector companies or free zones in the UAE
• Passport Validity: Applicants must have a genuine passport that is valid for at least six months.
• Visa Bans and Restrictions: Individuals who have previously been deported or are currently banned from entering the UAE must obtain special permission to re-enter.

Entry Permits for the UAE - Visit, Tourist or Transit Visa

Entry permits are essential for foreigners who wish to enter the UAE to finalise their residence visa procedures or for other short-term purposes such as medical treatment, missions, tourism, transit, attending events, visiting family members, or exploring business or job opportunities. Depending on the purpose, these permits are often called visit visas, tourist visas, or transit visas. Each is designed for specific purposes and has different requirements and conditions.

Visit Visas

• Purpose: Primarily for those who intend to visit family or friends in the UAE, or for business visitors who have meetings or longer-term engagements.
• Duration: Typically longer than a tourist visa, with options for extensions.
• Sponsorship: Requires a sponsor in the UAE, such as a family member or a company.

Tourist Visas:

• Purpose: For those visiting the UAE for leisure and tourism.
• Duration: Usually valid for short stays, such as 30 or 90 days, without the option for extension unless applied for.
• Sponsorship: This can be arranged without a local sponsor, typically through hotels, airlines, or travel agencies.

Transit Visas:

• Purpose: For travellers passing through the UAE’s airports and planning to stay for less than 48 or 96 hours.
• Duration: Very short-term, designed for layovers between flights.
• Sponsorship: Often facilitated by airlines for their passengers with connecting flights.

Overstay Fines

The UAE's Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICP) has standardised fines for overstaying: A fine of AED 50 per day is levied for overstaying on a visit, tourist, or residence visa, calculated from 10 days after the visa's expiry.

USE Residence Visa

The UAE offers a variety of residence visas tailored to meet the diverse needs of its expatriate community. These visas provide the holder with the right to live and in some cases, work in the UAE for a period ranging from one to ten years, depending on the visa type. Here's a detailed breakdown of the types of UAE residence visas:

Residence Visa for Working in the UAE

• Employment Visa: This visa is issued to employees working for UAE-based companies, including government, private sector, and free zones. The employer sponsors the visa, which is typically valid for two years.
• Green Visa for Skilled Employees: This is a self-sponsored visa for highly skilled professionals, offering a five-year residency without the need for employer sponsorship.

Residence Visa for Working Outside the UAE - Remote Work Visa

 Allows individuals employed by companies outside the UAE to reside in the UAE while working remotely. The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed.

Residence Visa for the Retired - Retirement Visa

 Available to retirees over 55 who meet certain financial criteria, such as owning property worth AED 1 million, having savings of at least AED 1 million, or having a monthly income of at least AED 20,000. The visa is valid for five years and is renewable.

Residence Visa for Doing Business in the UAE

Investor/Partner Visa: This visa is offered to foreign nationals investing in or starting a business in the UAE. It includes the Green Visa for investors, which is valid for five years and allows self-sponsorship based on substantial investment.

Residence Visa for Studying in the UAE - Student Visa

Sponsored by educational institutions for the duration of the academic program. Eligible for students enrolled in full-time courses, and sometimes allows for part-time work or internships depending on the visa terms.

Residence Visa for Family Members - Family Visa

Allows UAE residents (employers and employees) with valid residency visas to sponsor family members, including spouses and children. The sponsor must meet specific salary and accommodation criteria to be eligible.

Every UAE residence visa requires meeting specific criteria like financial capability, employment proof, and medical fitness. At Filings.ae, our experts will guide you through choosing the right visa and simplifying the immigration process, ensuring a smooth transition to the UAE.

Validity of a Residence Visa in the UAE

The validity of a UAE residence visa depends on its type and the nature of the sponsorship: Sponsored Visas: These visas are typically valid for 1, 2, or 3 years, depending on the agreement and sponsorship conditions.

• Unsponsored Visas: Recent regulatory changes allow for longer-term visas without the need for a sponsor, valid for either 5 or 10 years, subject to specific conditions.
• Dependents: The expiry of a dependent’s residence visa will not exceed that of the sponsor’s visa.

Residence Visa Requirements

• Medical and Security Checks
• Applicants aged 18 and over must undergo a medical test to confirm they are medically fit.
• A security check is also required.
• An application for an Emirates ID card must be made through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

Required Documents

• A recent colour personal photo of the dependent with a white background
• A copy of the dependent’s passport.
• Receipt for the Emirates ID application.
• A housing lease contract (certified) or proof of residence ownership.
• A copy of the sponsor’s passport with a valid residence permit.
• The sponsor’s job contract.
• A medical fitness certificate (for dependents aged 18 and above).
• Entry permit.
• Attested birth certificate (for children).
• Mother’s residence photo (required for newborns).
• Medical insurance or health card.
• Divorce or death certificate (for divorced women and widows).
• Proof of housing (for divorced women and widows).
• Proof of the woman’s ability to earn a living (for divorced women and widows).
• A certificate from the university or institute specifying the study duration (for student visas).

UAE Golden Visa

As mentioned above, The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa introduced as part of the UAE's efforts to attract and retain talented individuals, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the globe. It offers a more stable and flexible residency option compared to traditional visas.

Key Features of the UAE Golden Visa:

• Long-term Residency: The Golden Visa has options of 5 and 10 years, both of which are renewable.
• Self-sponsorship: Allows holders to sponsor themselves without needing an employer or family member as a sponsor.
• Multiple Entries: Permits multiple entries, which is ideal for those who travel frequently.

Eligibility Categories:

• Investors Can apply under two categories:

• Real estate investment of no less than AED 2 million.
• Public investments through a deposit, an established company, a business partnership of at least AED 1 million, or a total investment of at least AED 10 million in all areas mentioned, provided real estate does not exceed 60% of total investments.

• Entrepreneurs: Those who own or are partners in a startup registered in the UAE which generates substantial annual revenue.
• Special Talents and Researchers: In science, art, culture, and other sectors, such as doctors, specialists, scientists, and inventors.
• Outstanding Students and Graduates: Recognizing high academic achievers from UAE-accredited and top-ranked global universities.
• Humanitarian Pioneers: Including notable philanthropists and active members of humanitarian fields.

Get Your UAE Visa Hassle-Free with Filings.ae

Navigating the UAE visa application process can be complex. Whether you're seeking a short-term visit visa, a long-term residence visa, or the prestigious Golden Visa, Filings.ae is here to assist you every step of the way. Our experts ensure a smooth application process, guiding you through every requirement and ensuring compliance with UAE immigration laws.

Discover the right visa for your needs with expert help from Filings.ae.