5 Year Visa In Uae
Are you aware that UAE offers five year visa? No. I am not talking about the normal visit visa, but five years residence visa to those who can avail of it. This is one of many ways in which Dubai has proven itself to be a city of opportunity. Whether it’s the banking sector or construction industry or even the tourism industry, growth and prosperity have never been this evident in any other country on a global level. UAE has recently put a new rule in place for the expats who are planning to move to the UAE and live there for more than 5 years. The new rule is that all of the non-Emirati expats who have been living in the UAE for more than five years will have to leave the country if they fail to renew their residence permit.
The long-term visa is being issued to investors and their families and will cost 2,000 dirhams. At the moment, the long-term visas – which allow travellers to remain in the country for between six and twelve months – are issued on a yearly basis. Approximately 25 per cent of permit holders are renewing their visas each year.
The UAE has begun issuing five-year multi-entry visas for tourists in a move set to encourage longer and more frequent stays in the country.
It allows visitors to enter several times over a calendar year or stay for 90 days at a stretch and extend it for another 90 days.
The scheme will be a boost for those with families based outside of the country and is also set to be a crucial tool for businesses aiming to bring employees in and out of the country for conferences and other events.
Business Extra podcast: What are the UAE’s new visa rules?
“It will help relatives travel back and forth and will also attract a lot more tourists without any connection to the UAE so there will be more footfall,” said Haider Hussain, partner at Fragomen, an immigration services firm.
“Traditionally people would be coming in for short term travel of 30 or 90 days from India, Pakistan or other countries who need visas to come to the UAE.
“Now more and more individuals who are eligible will apply for this five-year visa and will be able to travel to Dubai and the UAE as and when they wish.”
It allows tourists who are in the country the option of extending their stay for another 90 days.
“This will enhance travel into UAE and make life easier for residents and their extended family members,” he said.
“People can stay for six months at one go if they want to.”
Gwyneth Paltrow walks along Jumeirah Beach, with the Burj Al Arab behind her, in the ‘A Story Takes Flight’ campaign. Courtesy Dubai Tourism
More details on how visitors can stay for longer from September were released this week as part of a series of visa changes announced by the UAE Cabinet.
The five-year tourist visa scheme was announced in March 2021 during a Cabinet session, with the first visas issued soon after.
“It’s a relatively quick process and we have had a few visas issued,” Mr Hussain said.
“Generally a week’s timeline is what we are seeing in terms of approval coming through.”
Who is eligible for a UAE Residence Visa?
To qualify for a UAE Residence Visa, you have to fall under one of the following categories:
- You will work in the UAE, under a governmental office or in a private company.
- You will study in a UAE educational institution
- You are the dependent of a UAE citizen or foreign resident (child, parent, maid, or a close relative)
- You have made an investment in the UAE
- You have purchased property in the UAE
- You will retire in the UAE
Types of UAE Residence Visas
The types of UAE Residence Visas are divided depending on the purpose of your travel. As such, there is the:
- UAE Work Visa, which is issued to foreigners who have found employment in the UAE and obtained a Work Permit.
- UAE Student Visa, which is issued for foreign nationals who have been accepted into a UAE educational institution
- UAE Family Visa, which is issued to the close family members of UAE citizens or foreign residents
- UAE Investment Visa (long-term residence), which is issued to foreign nationals who make a substantial investment in the UAE. This type of visa is issued for a longer duration than other types of residence visas (up to ten years)
- UAE Retirement Visa, which is issued to elderly foreigners who want to retire in the UAE and have the necessary financial means to do so.
What are the requirements for a UAE Residence Visa?
When applying for a UAE Residence Visa, you must have several supporting documents, such as:
- The UAE Visa Application Form, obtained online or through the relevant typing center
- Your original passport
- Two passport-size pictures, in line with UAE visa photo requirements
- Your entry visa
- Proof of your sponsor’s legal residency / UAE citizenship
- Proof you have passed a medical fitness test*
- Proof of UAE health insurance plan
- For family visas, include proof of family ties, such as birth/marriage certificates
- For a work visa, your sponsor must include the work contract and copies of the company’s valid trade licence and valid firm card
- Any additional documents related to your purpose of travel. For more, see:
- UAE Work Visa
- UAE Family Visa
- UAE Student Visa
- UAE Investment Visa
- UAE Retirement Visa
*All foreign nationals who want to live in the UAE on a Residence Visa have to pass a medical exam proving their fitness.
UAE Residence Visa application
You have to apply for a Residence Visa once you’re already in the UAE, meaning you have to enter with an entry permit first. Additionally, just as with the entry permit, in most cases, you cannot apply for your own residence visa: you need a sponsor to apply on your behalf, such as your employer, spouse, etc.
Who can apply for my UAE Residence Visa?
You can only apply for a Residence Visa through a sponsor. However, in certain cases, you may be your own sponsor.