Why You Need The Top Lawyers

We are specialized in company formation in Dubai and the incorporation of free zone companies in Dubai (UAE), such as for Free Zones.

Amongst Dubai free zone company formation, we can also set up offshore companies and onshore companies for those interested in the Dubai

By seeking legal advice, you will receive the following guarantees: the result will be achieved within a certain period, and any issue will be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible, and all this for reasonable money. Besides, you will protect yourself from possible risks and mistakes.

Many foreign citizens are curious about incoming and applying for residency in Dubai. One can obtain residency in Dubai or another emirate in UAE if support from an employer is provided. The Dubai residence visa must be renewed every three years. Another way to obtain residency in Dubai is by purchasing real estate. Once a person obtains residency, he or she will also be allowed to open a bank account in Dubai. Our team in Dubai can suggest the main ways of obtaining residency in the Emirate or another part of UAE. With a vast knowledge of various corporate issues, you can also rely on our team if you need guidance in opening a company in Dubai.

Who Can Apply For A Dubai Residence Permit In The UAE?

There are several situations under which a foreigner can apply for a residence permit in the UAE.

These conditions also rely on the applicant’s nationality. The following requirement must be met when applying for a Dubai residence permit:

citizens of different nationalities than Gulf Cooperation Council countries are needed to apply for a residence permit when moving to Dubai;
in case of a residence visa obtain through employment, it will be the employer to apply for the visa on behalf of the foreign citizen;
the residence visa is required for various actions, such as setting up a bank account in Dubai, or buying various goods, including automobiles;
the validity of the passport when applying for the Dubai residence visa must of at least 6 months.

Our Dubai company formation consultants can offer precise details on how To Get Residency In Dubai and all the benefits for a foreign citizen.

New Requirements For Obtaining A Residence Visa For Dubai

In 2018, the UAE government has changed a few of the conditions related to obtaining a Dubai residency. Under the latest conditions, foreign citizens applying for a residence permit in Dubai founded on a work contract must also submit a certification of good conduct which must be obtained from their countries of residence. In the case of those who switch jobs, this certification is not required.

A new requirement for foreign citizens applying for residence permits in Dubai is having a useful email address, they will be sent an email by the local authorities in which they will be notified regarding their visas.

Relocating To A Free Zone In Dubai

It should be noted that not all residency regulations involve the case of foreign citizens moving to a Dubai-free zone.

The free zone authorities are in charge of the issuance of residency permits in Dubai which are easier and faster to obtain here.

In the case of residence permits obtained through work, the free zone authorities will administer the visas as soon as the user submits all the documents needed to start working, while in the case of company incorporation of a company in a Dubai free zone, the residence permit is part of the registration procedure.

Obtaining Residency Through Employment In Dubai

The most common reasons foreign citizens apply for residency are when starting to work for a company in Dubai or when joining other family members who work and live in the city. Apart from the employer’s sponsorship, a foreign citizen may also obtain residency, if a UAE national will sponsor him or her when moving to Dubai.

In the first instance, a foreign citizen will be issued an entry permit that will allow him or her to move to Dubai before the residency permit is authorized. If the employer involves in the foreign citizen’s entry visa, the Dubai company must also apply for permission to hire a foreigner and must submit its business license. The entry permit has a restricted validity of only 2 months, which is why residency must be obtained within this timeframe.

Expatriates sponsoring family members for obtaining a Dubai residence visa must have a monthly income of at least 3,000 AED if the accommodation is provided by the employer, or at least 4,000 AED per month if the sponsor has his or her property.

Another way of getting a residence visa for Dubai is by purchasing real estate.

Even if this option is open for individuals with a high income, it is very common for foreign enterprisers to acquire Dubai residency by investing in real estate.

The conditions for obtaining a residence visa this way is for the property to be completed upon the investment and its value must be at least 1 million AED (approximately 275,000 USD).

A residence visa obtained by purchasing a property in Dubai has a two-year validity duration and does not grant the right to work in the Emirate. Nevertheless, its main advantage is that the owners are not required to register a company in Dubai.

Obtaining Residency Through Company Registration In Dubai And Becoming Dubai Resident

Perhaps the most famous way of obtaining Dubai residency is by registering a company in the Emirate or one of its free zones.

If opening an onshore company means sponsorship from the local partner, the registration of a company in a Dubai-free zone supplies for full ownership of the company. This type of residency visa allows a foreign citizen to be a shareholder in a local company and also to hire workers in Dubai.

The validity of a residence visa obtained by company incorporation in Dubai is three years and can be renewed.

Our Dubai company formation team can assist with the papers related to opening companies in the Emirate or any of its free zones.

We can also help you obtain residency in UAE.

Obtaining Dubai Residence For Family Members

Most foreign citizens relocating to Dubai are also curious about applying for visas for other family members.

They should know that they can obtain a residence visa for close family members, such as spouses and children, and even parents.

The applicant must also meet certain criteria to be permitted to bring family members into Dubai. Among these, his or her salary must be at least 4,000 AED or 3,000 AED but additional funds will be required for accommodation purposes.

In the case of those aiming to bring their parents, the employer can sponsor the worker, however, the minimum salary condition is 10,000 AED.

To bring one’s family, the residence permit in Dubai holder must first apply for an entry residence visa on their behalf — this procedure must begin 30 days before their arrival.

When it comes to the documents required to obtain residence permits in Dubai for family members, the applicant’s marriage certificate and salary payslip must be submitted jointly with information about the family member’s identification papers.

The conditions for obtaining Dubai residency are not extended that tough, which is why the number of foreigners relocating to the UAE has grown. The government also encourages foreign citizens to move here for work or business purposes through various incentives.

Documents Needed When Applying For Residency In Dubai

Together with the relevant application form, a foreigner applying for residency in Dubai must also submit copies of a valid passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, and marriage certificate if applicable. The applicant must also present copies after all qualifications. It is also possible for the authorities to request details on previous work knowledge and references from former employers.

The applicant will also experience a medical exam before his or her employment. A medical examination will be required every time the residence permit in Dubai is restored.

How Much Does It Cost To Obtain Dubai Residency?

The process of obtaining a residence visa for Dubai is subject to certain expenses, depending on the type of permit to be obtained.

These costs can imply:

the service fees which refer to getting the visa processing fee, the knowledge, and innovation fee;
the fee related to getting the medical certificate after the medical evaluation;
the fee for getting an e-residence permit or for changing the expiring visa;
the bank fees and the fee related to having the Ministry of Labor approved the work visa.

In the case of those applying for a residence permit founded on employment, the Dubai company employing them must also deposit a guarantee which will convert them into sponsors. This is why, most of the time, all the costs associated with getting a Dubai residency cannot be calculated exactly.

The processing time for residency visas has declined during the last years and, for quick and simple application procedures, you may ask the services of our company team in Dubai.

The Validity Of Work And Residence Permits In Dubai

One of the most important criteria to be considered when deciding to apply for a work or residence permit in Dubai is the validity period of the visa.

For instance, the purchase of real estate property comes with a residence permit which has a 2-year validity period. Compared to this, work visas are usually given for 2 years and can be renewed.

The residence permit by opening a company is the easiest to obtain and the validity of the visa relies on the acquisition made. However, it can be renewed. The procedure for extending a residence visa when opening a free zone company in Dubai is the most secured and is part of the registration procedure of the business.

Regulations To Obtain A Work Permit In Dubai

The residence or the work permit is given once a local sponsor is equipped and offers a foreigner the full right to stay in the Emirates for an indefinite period. A work permit in Dubai comes with a new identification card that can be used instead of the ones issued in the home country.

Similarly, a person who wants to work in Dubai and applies for a legal permit in this matter must organize:

copies of the passport, birth, and marriage certificate,
proof of financial information,
the employment agreement,
a lease contract to provide information about the address in Dubai.

We remind you that your supporter or employer in Dubai can involve in a work permit on your behalf, but complete assistance and details about the legislation in this matter can be obtained from our attorneys in Dubai.

The Advantages Of A Work Permit In Dubai

The work visa in Dubai comes with several benefits, where the future employee can bring the family members to the Emirates. The same permit can give any foreigner the option of staying in the country eternally. Even more, one should know that a residence or a work permit is issued for two years and can be renewed without a time limit or restrictions. Please view that an entrance once in six months is necessary, to preserve the validity of the residence visa.

Obtaining UAE Citizenship

One of the simplest ways of obtaining UAE citizenship is by marrying a UAE citizen. Foreigners married to Emiratis may obtain UAE citizenship if the marriage lasts for at least three years. After ten years of marriage, a foreign citizen will usually be naturalized. Another way of obtaining a UAE passport is if, after years of work within a Dubai company, the employer decides to offer the employee an indefinite work or residence permit.

Naturalization In The UAE

Even if it does not grant UAE citizenship, naturalization is another way of gaining the right to live in the Emirates. To be naturalized, foreign citizens must fulfill certain standards.

Arab citizens must have lived in the UAE for at least 30 years before being naturalized. Regardless, any foreigner may acquire UAE citizenship without any limitation if they have provided honorable services and if:

they legally work in one of the Emirates,
have a good reputation,
speak the Arabic language,
have no criminal record.

Children of Emirati women may apply for UAE passports once they turn the legal age of 18.

Obtaining A UAE Passport

All immigration and citizenship matters are handled by the Department of Naturalization and Residency, also known as the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs.

The Department publishes all employment and residence visas for foreign citizens established in the UAE. Once evolve a UAE citizen one will apply for a UAE passport with the regional government of the Emirate they will live in. To obtain the UAE passport they will have to lodge an application form and turn in their old passport.

Our Scriptlaw team holds extensive knowledge on how to obtain a residence visa for Dubai and can also help foreign investors who want to set up businesses here.

Obtaining Dubai Residency