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UAE Residence Visa

The UAE offers several types of residence visas - each with its own eligibility criteria, duration, and benefits. Whether you are an investor, employee, freelancer, family member, or business owner, the right visa depends on your specific situation.

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A UAE residence visa authorizes the holder to live and work in the country for a defined period. It is distinct from a tourist or visit visa - a residence visa provides longer-term legal status, an Emirates ID, and access to government services, banking, and other essentials.

What Is a UAE Residence Visa

A UAE residence visa authorizes the holder to live and work in the country for a defined period. It is distinct from a tourist or visit visa - a residence visa provides longer-term legal status, an Emirates ID, and access to government services, banking, and other essentials of life in the UAE.

Multiple residence visa types exist, each designed for different situations. The right choice depends on your employment status, investment, family situation, and long-term plans. Some visas are employer-sponsored. Others are self-sponsored. Durations range from two years to ten years.

Types of UAE Residence Visas

Golden Visa. Long-term residence for five or ten years. Available to investors, professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, students, and other qualifying categories. Self-sponsored with expanded family sponsorship.

Family Visa. Residence for spouse, children, and parents sponsored by an employed or self-employed UAE resident. Requires meeting minimum income thresholds.

Freelancer Visa. Residence visa combined with a freelance work permit. Available through free zone authorities or MOHRE.

Investor Visa. Standard two to three-year residence visa for company shareholders and owners. Linked to company ownership.

Employment Visa. Residence visa sponsored by a UAE employer. The most common visa type for employed individuals.

Green Visa. Five-year self-sponsored residence visa for qualifying skilled workers, freelancers, and investors.

How to Choose the Right Visa Type

Visa TypeDurationSponsorBest For
Golden Visa5-10 yearsSelf-sponsoredInvestors, professionals
Family VisaMatches sponsorSponsor requiredSpouses, children, parents
Freelancer2-3 yearsFree zoneIndependent professionals
Investor2-3 yearsCompany-linkedCompany owners
Employment2-3 yearsEmployerEmployed individuals
Green Visa5 yearsSelf-sponsoredSkilled workers, freelancers

If you are unsure which type fits, submit a request and let visa specialists assess your situation.

Visa Consultants for Residence Visa Applications

These verified consultants can help you determine the right visa type for your situation and manage the application process.

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Arnifi

Business Setup Company · Basic Verified

We are a practical fit for founders and small teams that want UAE company setup to feel clearer, faster and less fragmented from the first decision. Many businesses do not struggle only with registration. They…

Company Formation Visa and Residency Corporate Tax Accounting +2
Dubai, UAE Wide English 24h response
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A

Avyanco

Business Setup Company · Basic Verified

We are usually the right fit for founders and investors who want the UAE setup path to feel more strategic before it becomes operational. A lot of businesses do not fail because they cannot register…

Company Formation Visa and Residency Corporate Tax Accounting +5
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah +3 English 24h response
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Business Setup Experts

Business Setup Company · Basic Verified

We are usually the right fit for founders who want one provider to carry the setup process from first route selection into the practical tasks that follow after licensing. A lot of businesses do not…

Company Formation Visa and Residency Accounting Bank Account Assistance +2
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE Wide English 12 yrs 24h response
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B

Business Setup Worldwide

Business Setup Company · Basic Verified

We are usually the right fit for founders and internationally mobile business owners that want UAE company setup to be part of a wider market entry plan, not only a fast registration step. A lot…

Company Formation Visa and Residency Accounting Bank Account Assistance +2
Dubai, Sharjah, UAE Wide English 24h response
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E

EmiratesSetup

Business Setup Company · Basic Verified

We are usually the right fit for founders who want their UAE entry path to feel more guided, more transparent and less improvised from the first decision. A lot of clients come to us when…

Company Formation Visa and Residency Corporate Tax Accounting +2
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE Wide English, German 9 yrs 24h response
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M

MSZ Consultancy

Business Setup Company · Basic Verified

We are usually the right fit for founders and operators that want UAE company setup to match the real business model, not only the cheapest package on the table. A lot of companies lose time…

Company Formation Visa and Residency Corporate Tax Accounting +3
Dubai, UAE Wide English 15 yrs 24h response
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Recent Residence Visa Requests

These are recent requests from people exploring UAE residence visa options. If you are evaluating your own visa options, submit a request.

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Corporate Tax Filing for Small Businesses in UAE Wide

RQ00103
Corporate Tax UAE Wide Small Businesses

Free zone company, operating three years, almost entirely foreign B2B revenue. Want to confirm whether we meet Qualifying Free Zone Person status and therefore retain the 0 percent rate on…

Flexible 10000 to 25000 USD 0/5 offers

Bank Reapplication Support for Small Businesses in UAE Wide

RQ00102
Bank Account Assistance UAE Wide Small Businesses

Free zone company, two UAE banks rejected our corporate account application in sequence. The first rejection was a letter with no reason. The second was a phone call where the…

Within 30 Days 3000 to 5000 USD 0/5 offers

Corporate Bank Account Assistance for First Time Founders in UAE Wide

RQ00101
Bank Account Assistance UAE Wide First Time Founders

Solo founder, Meydan free zone license, clean KYC file, UAE resident with a valid visa. Two banks have already said no without a clear reason. The second one felt like…

Flexible 3000 to 5000 USD 0/5 offers

Free Zone Company Formation for Agencies in UAE Wide

RQ00100
Company Formation UAE Wide Agencies

Two-person media agency, clients mostly EU, team fully remote. We need a UAE free zone license for the legal structure and three founder and employee visas. Budget is tight, setup…

Just Researching 1000 to 3000 USD 0/5 offers

Business Operations Support for First Time Founders in UAE Wide

RQ00099
PRO Services UAE Wide First Time Founders

Incorporated with IFZA last month. License in hand and that is where the formation agent's involvement effectively ended. Since then we have been trying to close the rest of the…

Flexible 1000 to 3000 USD 0/5 offers

Relocation Support for International Companies in Dubai

RQ00098
Company Formation Dubai International Companies

Relocating from London with my wife and two children (ages 9 and 12) in September. Target landing date is the last week of August because the kids' school term starts…

Immediate Under 1000 USD 0/5 offers

Frequently Asked Questions About UAE Residence Visas

Which UAE residence visa is right for me

It depends on your situation - employment status, investment, family circumstances, and long-term plans. Use the comparison on this page as a starting point, or submit a request for personalized guidance.

How long does a UAE residence visa last

Durations range from two to ten years depending on the visa type. Standard employment and investor visas are typically two to three years. Golden Visas are five or ten years.

Can I sponsor my family with any visa type

Most visa types allow family sponsorship, but the rules vary. Golden Visa holders have expanded family sponsorship. Standard visa holders follow income-based rules with age restrictions.

Do I need a sponsor for a UAE residence visa

Some visa types require a sponsor (employer for employment visas, company for investor visas). Others are self-sponsored (Golden Visa, Green Visa).

How much does a UAE residence visa cost

Costs vary by visa type and include entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, stamping, and health insurance. See specific visa pages for detailed cost information.

Can I change my visa type

In some cases, a status change is possible without leaving the UAE. Eligibility depends on the current and target visa types.

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Related Services

Golden Visa → Family Visa → Freelancer Visa → Investor Visa → Employment Related Visa Support → Entry Permit and Status Change → Visa and Residency →

Ready to get your UAE residence visa

Compare visa types, connect with verified consultants, and receive structured offers that match your situation.

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