UAE Visa Types: Find the Right Visa for Your Needs

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a popular tourist, commercial, and recreational destination worldwide. Its visa is classified to suit the different needs of those intending to visit the country or those intending to live in the country. If you are simply going for a short vacation, it might be a business trip or whatever, or if you intend to live permanently in the UAE, it is important to know about the different categories of visas that are available in the United Arab Emirates.

In this guide, I will explain all the types of visas that exist in the UAE, their eligibility criteria, their requirements, and the time taken to process all visas in the UAE.

Short-Term Visas

Limited visas are the visa category that will suit foreigners planning to visit the UAE for a short time only. Some of the people who require such visas include tourists, transit passengers, visitors who are going to attend to the sick, relatives, and fellows among other people.

Tourist Visa

• Types:
  • Single-entry: Permits one entry in the UAE within the visa validity period.
  • Multiple-entry: Valid for multiple visits within the visa validity period.
• Duration:
  • Available in 30-day and 90-day tranches because different people have different travel needs.
• Eligibility:
  • You qualify for it if you visit the UAE for tourism purposes, business or to see family.
• Requirements:
  • Valid passport for at least 6 months of the intended period of travel.
  • Confirmed return ticket.
  • Evidence that you can accommodate your necessary expenditures during your stay.

Transit Visa

• Duration:
  • Valid for up to 96 hours (four days).
• Eligibility:
  • Designed for travelers with a layover in the UAE who want to explore the country before heading to their final destination.
• Requirements:
  • Passport valid for six months.
  • Confirmed onward ticket.
  • Visa for the last country of visit in case you intend to visit there as your last destination.

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Long-Term Visas

People who are going to live in the UAE for work, education, or desire to retire here can become hopeful owners of the following types of long-term visas:

Residence Visas

Golden Visa

• Eligibility:
  • It is available to investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers, healthcare professionals, artists, as well as talented students.
• Duration:
  • Valid for 5 or 10 years, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and contributions.
• Benefits:
  • Permanent residence in the country without the need for a sponsor to be allowed into the country.
  • Freedom to enter and exit the UAE without restrictions.
  • The right to own property and the right to conduct business.

Green Visa

• Eligibility:
  • Given to professional personnel, technical experts, university graduates, investors, and business personnel.
• Duration:
  • Valid for 5 years, renewable.
• Benefits:
  • However, a local sponsor is not needed in this model, as the home chain only serves as a distributor for sales in its home country.
  • Convertible for self-employed travelers.
  • Membership of all family members is allowed.

Employment Visa

• Eligibility:
  • Sponsored by a UAE-based employer for a job.
• Duration:
  • Officially valid for 24 months but renewable.
• Benefits:
  • Gives a work permit and legal residency in UAE.
  • Access to the general public services and utilities in the UAE.

Family Visa

• Eligibility:
  • Currently offered to the spouse, children, and in some cases parents of people residing in the UAE.
• Duration:
  • Depending on the sponsor’s visa type.
• Benefits:
  • Secures the living of family members in the UAE.
  • Access to education and healthcare services.

Investor Visa

• Eligibility:
  • Available to any personnel engaged in the investment of properties or companies within the UAE region.
• Duration:
  • Depending on the size of the investment and form of the IST used, the investment of the firm in particular technology may vary.
• Benefits:
  • The residency rights shall be connected with the investment.
  • Our members want economic advancement, increased business prospects, and real estate investment.

Retirement Visa

• Eligibility:
  • Available for people aged 55 years and above in possession of financial status.
  • Should earn a minimum of AED 20,000 per month or should own a property with a value of not less than AED 2 million.
• Duration:
  • 5 years, renewable.
• Benefits:
  • Safe, permanent living with a leisurely retirement life.
  • Access to excellent healthcare and leisure facilities.

Freelance Visa

• Eligibility:
  • Ideal for freelancers and other quasi-employed professionals in many sectors including technology, media, and teaching.
• Duration:
  • Each freelance license hold has its duration.
• Benefits:
  • Several are employed lawfully in the UAE without the standard employment relationship.
  • Freedom to take on multiple projects.

Other Visa Types

There are other specific visas for different purposes and situations through which the UAE provides its travelers and immigrants.

Student Visa

• Eligibility:
  • Valid to international students studying in recognized universities or educational institutions in UAE.
• Duration:
  • It depends on the duration of the study program in a given institution.
• Benefits:
  • Enables students to live in the UAE while attending classes.
  • Potential for part-time work.

GCC Resident Visa

• Eligibility:
  • Offer valid for residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries only, arriving in UAE.
• Duration:
  • Depends on the type of journey whether business, leisure, or any other reason that makes people travel.
• Benefits:
  • Increased ease of access for GCC residents to the UAE.

Specialist Resident Visa

• Eligibility:
  • Targeted at senior knowledge workers employed in fields like medicine, engineering, and information technology.
• Duration:
  • Typically long-term.
• Benefits:
  • Recognition of expertise.
  • Avenues to advance one’s career.

Visa Application Process

Knowledge of the visa process makes it easy to fill out the forms without many complications.

General Requirements

• Valid passport with a minimum of six months of validity.
• Passport-sized photographs.
• Supporting documents such as bank statements, employment letters, or academic records.
• Completed application form.

Steps to Apply

1. Identify Your Visa Type:
   In this case, determine the visa type that best suits your purpose of either traveling or living in the country.
2. Prepare Required Documents:
   Collect all the documents depending on the visa category into consideration.
3. Submit the Application:
   • Online via the UAE’s immigration portal.
   • Through authorized visa service providers.
4. Pay the Fee:
   The charges depend on the kind of visa as well as the period for which the visa is issued.
5. Wait for Approval:
   Processing times differ for each visa category.
6. Receive Your Visa:
   After approval, you are granted an electronic or stamping visa depending on the type of visa applied for.

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Final Words

By learning the details of every type of visa, one can differentiate between the needs to be met by the visa and the benefits to be expected from the visa. It is always advisable to check on the vital information and validity of your application from the official UAE immigration officials or sought-after visa agents.