The United Arab Emirates government has introduced a novel immigration initiative aimed at affluent or exceptionally skilled foreign individuals: The UAE Long-Term Residence Visa. This visa category is granted for durations spanning from 5 to 10 years, contingent on the eligibility criteria of the applicant. Furthermore, qualifying candidates are not obligated to secure a sponsor within the UAE to facilitate their application; they have the option to apply independently.
The most frequently sought-after form of long-term residence visa is the UAE Investor Visa, which necessitates a significant financial investment within the UAE as a qualification criterion.
UAE Investor Visa
Who is eligible for a UAE Long-Term Residence Visa?
There are two distinct categories of Long-Term Residence Visas available for the UAE, each with its own set of prerequisites and eligibility conditions.
10-year UAE Long-Term Residence Visa: You qualify for the 10-year UAE Long-Term Residence Visa if you fall into any of the following categories:
- Investing a minimum of AED 10 million in the public sector (referred to as the UAE Investor Visa – details below).
- Possessing specialized skills or talents, such as doctors, scientists, inventors, specialists, or individuals with exceptional abilities in cultural and artistic domains. This includes medical doctors and engineers specializing in computer programming, electronics, electrical engineering, and biotechnology.
5-year UAE Long-Term Residence Visa: You are eligible for a 5-year UAE Long-Term Residence Visa if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Making an investment in real estate within the UAE (also known as the UAE Investor Visa or Property Visa UAE).
- Being an entrepreneur with an existing project that has a minimum capital of AED 500,000.
- Demonstrating outstanding academic performance as a student, which includes:
- Achieving a minimum grade of 95% in a public or private secondary school.
- Maintaining a GPA of at least 3.75 in a university, whether inside or outside the country, following graduation.
What are the requirements for applying for a UAE long-term residence visa?
When seeking a UAE long-term residence visa, you will be required to provide various supporting documents aligned with the purpose of your application.
For the initial entry permit application, the necessary documents typically include:
- A copy of your passport.
- Passport-size photographs.
- Bank statements covering the previous 6 months.
- Additional documents related to your intended purpose, such as:
- A copy of the Company Trade License, if applicable.
- Copy of the Partnership Contract (if applicable).
- Identification documents of other partners (if applicable).
- A copy of the Memorandum of Association (for LLC).
- Evidence of accreditation by the pertinent UAE authority (for individuals with specialized talents).
- Proof of patent (for investors).
Upon your arrival in the UAE and when applying for the long-term residence visa, you will need to furnish the following documents:
- Your entry permit.
- Medical test results.
- Passport.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Immigration Establishment Card.
- Any additional documents pertinent to the purpose of your visit.
Please note that this list of documents is not exhaustive, as the requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances. Furthermore, it may be necessary to obtain prior approval from UAE authorities before initiating the visa application process. Given the complexity of this visa process, seeking assistance from a qualified attorney or authorized legal entity may also be advisable.
How to obtain a UAE Investor Visa?
To acquire an Investor Visa in Dubai or any other part of the UAE, you are required to meet specific investment criteria, which include investing a minimum of AED 10 million in the public sector in the UAE or investing at least AED 5 million in real estate.
Investing in the Public Sector (10-year UAE Visa): To secure a 10-year UAE visa through investment, you must commit a minimum of AED 10 million in the country’s public sector. This can be accomplished through various methods, including:
- Placing a deposit in an investment fund.
- Establishing a new company in the UAE with a capital of at least AED 10 million.
- Becoming a partner in an existing company, provided that your shareholding is valued at no less than AED 10 million.
Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure that:
- The investment is not funded by a loan.
- You maintain this investment for a minimum duration of three years.
Purchasing Real Estate (5-year UAE Visa): Alternatively, you can obtain a long-term visa in the UAE by investing in property with a gross value of at least AED 5 million. It’s essential to note that the invested funds must not be borrowed from another party, and you must commit to retaining the investment for a minimum of three years.
Fees for the UAE Golden Visa
Starting from February 2023, the cost to apply for a Golden Visa in the United Arab Emirates is AED 150.
A 10-year UAE visa for individuals with specialized talents
You can also obtain a UAE visa based on your specialized talents. For instance, if you’re a doctor, investor, specialist, scientist, or possess exceptional talents in culture and the arts. However, eligibility for the 10-year UAE visa for individuals with specialized talents is contingent on meeting specific conditions:
For scientists: Accreditation by the Emirates Scientists Council or holding the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence is required.
For artists: Accreditation by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development is necessary.
For inventors: You must hold a valuable patent, accredited by the Ministry of Economy, that contributes to the UAE’s economy.
For doctors and specialists: Meeting at least one of the following conditions is essential:
- Holding a PhD degree from one of the top 500 universities globally.
- Possessing a PhD degree along with a decade of professional experience in your field.
- Holding an award or certificate of appreciation in your field.
- Membership in a relevant professional organization.
- Publication of articles or scientific books in renowned publications within your field.
- Specialization in an area prioritized by the UAE.
For executives: You should be the head of a leading and internationally recognized company.
For individuals with other extraordinary talents: You must have either a scientific research paper published in a world-class journal or a valuable patent.
Am I allowed to bring my spouse and children with a UAE Investor Visa?
Certainly, if you possess a UAE Investor Visa, you have the privilege of bringing your family members, including your spouse and children, with you. Furthermore, the visa can be extended to encompass one executive director and one advisor.
Is it possible to have a business partner while holding a UAE Investor Visa?
Indeed, it is feasible for multiple business partners to apply for a single UAE Investor Visa. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t permit the division of the investment among partners; each business partner must independently invest their own AED 10 million.
How to request a UAE Investor Visa?
Ordinarily, foreigners seeking a UAE visa are required to have a sponsor within the UAE, such as their employer (for a work visa) or educational institution (for a student visa). However, when it comes to the long-term residence visa for the UAE, you have the option to apply independently, without the need for a sponsor.
For the UAE Investor Visa, the registered company you are associated with acts as your sponsor, whereas for the UAE Property Visa, the property you purchase or invest in serves as your sponsor.
Initiating the Entry Permit Application: Prior to applying for a Residence Visa, you must first obtain a UAE Entry Permit, which is issued for multiple entries and remains valid for six months. You can submit your Entry Permit application online for the following categories:
- UAE Investor Visa
- UAE Visa for Entrepreneurs and Special Students
- UAE Visa for individuals with exceptional talents
Upon entering the UAE with an entry permit, you must visit the appropriate visa issuing authorities within the UAE and request the long-term Residence Visa.
Applying for the Residence Visa: The application for UAE Residence Visas is processed within the UAE, specifically at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in the relevant emirate where you intend to reside.
It is mandatory to undergo a medical examination to establish your medical fitness before proceeding with the residence visa application.
Please bear in mind that due to the distinct nature of the Investor Visa for the UAE, you may need to enlist the assistance of an attorney or legal representative to navigate the process, as well as to identify investment opportunities within the UAE. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the Investor Visa is a relatively recent category, and there may be varying and evolving information regarding its requirements and procedures.
How to obtain an Investor Visa in Dubai?
Individuals from foreign countries seeking to establish residence in Dubai must apply for an Investor Visa specific to Dubai. Given that Dubai is one of the emirates comprising the UAE, the application procedure for a Dubai Investor Visa mirrors the process outlined previously. The sole distinction lies in the fact that you will apply directly to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) offices in Dubai, rather than in another emirate, such as Abu Dhabi.
