Company Registration
2 Week
Local Director?
No
Bank Account Opening
4 Weeks
Travel Required?
No
Dubai Residence Visa
- In the present scenario, the most sought-after visa that everyone is opting for is the Dubai Residence Visa. Business owners, property investors, highly skilled professionals, and even students with a financially strong background opt for this visa. If you are considering starting your business, then you need to register company in Dubai. Tetra Consultants simplifies the procedure of getting your Dubai visa by offering end-to-end support, from evaluating your documents to preparing and submitting your visa application. We are there for you.
What does the Dubai Residence Visa mean?
- The Dubai Residence Visa commonly refers to a permit that allows foreigners to reside and work in Dubai. The duration for this permit is usually 1 to 10 years, depending on the type of your visa and sponsor. This visa grants you the permission to legally live in the UAE, it also allows you the benefits of getting health insurance, enrolling your children in schools, and opening a bank account for personal and professional use.
What are the various types of Dubai Residence Visa?
- The most common types of Dubai Residence Visa are:
- Retirement visa- This visa is mainly for those individuals who are over a certain age limit and have major investments in Dubai.
- Family visa- This visa is for the dependents of the residents, mainly for spouses, parents, and children.
- Golden visa- This is one of the most sought-after visa categories and it is typically for those who are looking for a long-term residency in Dubai. This visa is typically valid for 5 or 10 years. Investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and real estate owners often opt for this visa route.
- Employment visa- This visa is sponsored by a Dubai-based employer for a foreign worker.
Benefits of the Dubai Residence Visa
Financial and tax benefits
- In Dubai, no tax is charged on salaries, capital gains, wages, and even bonuses. This allows residents to retain their entire earnings. The residents of Dubai have easy access to opening a bank account, whether it is a personal or a professional business account. They can also easily apply for credit cards, loans, and mortgages.
Investment and business
- Dubai allows for 100% foreign ownership in mainland and free zones. In Dubai, foreigners are permitted to purchase freehold property in specific areas. There are also various visa categories that are tailored for high-skilled professionals, foreign investors, and business owners which makes Dubai an attractive destination.
Lifestyle and personal
- Foreign individuals have the legal right granted to them by the law to live and study in Dubai. They can also sponsor their family members, children, partners, and parents. Dubai has top-class education and healthcare. Additionally, the visa can also be easily renewed or upgraded to a long-term visa.
Criteria for eligibility
Green visa (self-sponsored)
- For skilled professionals, the minimum monthly salary should be at least AED 15,000, along with a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in their field
- For investors or business partners, the minimum investment amount should be around AED 1 million in a local business
- For freelancers, a self-employment/freelance permit is needed, along with a bachelor’s degree, and a proven annual income of at least AED 360,000
General requirements
- Applicants who are 18 or above will need a medical fitness test from an approved center in Dubai
- Sponsorship is mandatory; it can be from an employer, family member, or, based on the type of visa
- Valid passport, usually with at least 6 months’ validity
- Security or background check clearance is needed
- Health insurance coverage in the UAE
Investment/business owner visa
- Documents showcasing business ownership, registration, or financials
- Investments in a Dubai-based business or establishing a company with a minimum capital of AED 2 million (mainland companies), AED 50,000 (free zone), AED 2 million (golden visa)
Costs and timeline to obtain a Dubai Residence Visa
- At Tetra Consultants, the process for getting a Dubai Residence Visa usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks from beginning to end. Our team ensures that all the documents are correct and there are no delays. However, delays may occur due to missing documents, UAE public holidays, or high application volumes.
- The cost of getting this visa varies depending on multiple factors. At Tetra Consultants, our team provides you with a detailed breakdown of all the costs and associated fees during the initial consultation. This helps you to plan your budget accordingly. There are no hidden charges and you know exactly what you are paying for.
Investment options
- Dubai provides several attractive investment options for those looking for security, mainly through property acquisition and business investment. Here are the specific requirements:
Real estate investment 10-year golden visa
- The minimum investment should be of AED 2,000,000 in the real estate market of Dubai. The property should not be subject to a loan, or if mortgaged, a minimum down payment is needed from a UAE bank.
2-year property owner visa
- The minimum investment should be AED 750,000 in a ready and approved property that is not under construction. If it is a joint ownership with a spouse, then the investment should be AED 1,000,000. With these 2 visas, investors can also sponsor their family members.
Public sector investment
- For investments in the public sector, the minimum investment amount is AED 2,000,000 in a UAE-accredited investment fund. The documents showing the fund deposit will be needed.
Business and corporate investment
- Shares in existing business- Investment in a UAE company or acquisition of shares valued at AED 2,000,000 or more. For partners, each should invest the minimum threshold.
- Company formation- Starting a new company in Dubai mainland or free zone with a nominal capital investment of AED 2,000,000 for the Golden Investor Visa
- Company investment options also allow sponsoring family and business partners
Step-by-step application process for the Dubai Residence Visa
Step 1- Initial consultation and select visa route
- Tetra Consultants conducts an initial consultation where we discuss your goals, such as relocation, investment, retirement, work, and sponsoring family. Based on that, we select the most appropriate visa route that is employment, investor/company formation, retirement, or property investor.
Step 2- Document checklist
- Tetra Consultants will provide you with a detailed checklist of all the documents that you need to collect. Our experts will then review these documents to ensure that they are valid and in order. For company incorporation, our team will help you to prepare the documents such as a business plan, financial predictions, and AML/CFT policies. Furthermore, Tetra Consultants will notarize the documents and translate them so that nothing gets rejected for technical reasons.
Step 3- Company formation or investment validation
- If your visa is linked to a company formation or an investment, then Tetra Consultants will handle company formation, prepare all the necessary corporate documents, and advise on the ownership structure that fulfills the visa criteria. Our team will also ensure that the investment meets the regulatory thresholds.
Step 4- Application submission
- Tetra Consultants will submit your complete incorporation application to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the applicable free zone authority along with supporting documents and fees.
Step 5- Entry permit
- If you are based outside of the UAE, then an entry permit (initial visa) is provided so that you can travel and complete all the in-country formalities. However, if you are already in the UAE, then your status will be changed from visit to residence with exit/entry based in your case. Tetra Consultants will gather the correct entry permit, or coordinate a change of status, and schedule the next appointment for medical/biometrics examination.
Step 6- Medical fitness test
- Applicants will have to undergo a medical fitness test and register their biometrics for the Emirates ID. These are compulsory for residence issuance. Our team will book a medical appointment and arrange biometric appointments to ensure that everything is completed.
Step 7- Work permit/labor formalities
- For employment visas, the employer should get the work permit and may have to register for the labor contract, benefits, and salary details. Tetra Consultants will communicate with the employers and free zone or mainland authorities to get the necessary labor approvals.
Step 8- Visa stamping and residence issuance
- Once your medical, biometric, as well as authority approvals are completed, then the residence visa will be issued and stamped in your passport. You will also get your Emirates ID card after printing and delivery. Our team will arrange the passport submission for stamping and will deliver it to you.
Step 9- Family sponsorship and dependent visas
- If you want to sponsor your family members, then additional documents such as a marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, and proof of accommodation will be needed. Each application will go through medical clearance and biometric checks. Our team at Tetra Consultants will prepare and submit your dependent applications, notarized family documents, and coordinate with all the follow-up appointments.
Step 10- Renewal, monitoring, and ongoing compliance
- Residence visas must be renewed before expiry, and holders must remain compliant with UAE regulations. At Tetra Consultants, we provide regulatory compliance consulting services and manage visa renewals, documentation, and advise on recent changes to ensure long-term compliance.
Documents needed for a Dubai Residence Visa
- Original passport whose minimum validity should be at least 6 months
- Certificate of good conduct from the police department of your home country
- Sponsor letter from your company, university, or a relative who lives in Dubai
- Application for Emirates ID through the Emirates Identity Authority
- Deposit in a Dubai Bank
- Residence visa application form
- A health insurance policy that is approved by the DCCA to cover all your medical expenses during your stay in Dubai
- Medical tests which includes blood test, HIV tests, and chest X-ray
- Birth/marriage certificate for individual applicants
Common challenges and how Tetra Consultants can help
Incomplete or incorrect documentation
- One of the main causes of visa rejections and delays is inaccurate paperwork. Applicants often submit incorrect documents with mismatched names or without sponsorship letters. At Tetra Consultants, our team carefully checks your application for accuracy, compliance, ensuring that all the documents are completed and filed in accordance with the latest government criteria, preventing errors that cause rejections.
Sponsor issues
- Applications are also rejected because of incorrect or incomplete employer or family sponsor data; sometimes, the corporate structure also changes, or poor documentation from sponsors can also create obstacles. At Tetra Consultants, our team communicates with sponsors and ensures that all the required documents as well as valid sponsorship details, are in place and also updated.
Renewal mistakes
- Late renewal or even failure to update documents such as the Emirates ID creates legal issues and even visa cancellation risks. At Tetra Consultants, we provide ongoing support for timely visa renewals, ensuring compliance with procedural changes and document updates.
Passport validity issues
- It is mandatory for passports to have at least 6 months validity, in the case of less validity, the visa approval will get blocked. Our team makes sure that your application is fulfilling all the criteria and your passport has a minimum validity.
Why choose Dubai?
Political
- Dubai is famous for its politically stable environment and a strong governance structure. The regulatory framework of Dubai supports immigrants and expatriates. Furthermore, the UAE government has also introduced multiple business-friendly policies that attract foreign direct investment.
Economic
- Dubai has a tax-friendly system, and individuals are not charged personal income tax. The business sector also has favorable tax policies, which increase capital gains and profitability. In Dubai, sectors such as business, trade, finance, and technology have strong growth prospects, which makes it a favorable destination.
Social
- The population of Dubai has a high standard of living, which attracts global talent and entrepreneurs. Healthcare and education in Dubai are top-notch, which further supports the family lifestyle of the population.
Legal
- Dubai has clear and transparent legal frameworks that protect intellectual properties, investor rights, and contracts. It has multiple visa options, such as Golden and Green visas, which facilitate residency and work permits in a streamlined process. Lastly, Dubai has flexible company formation rules that provide 100% foreign ownership in free zones and easy business setup procedures.
Technological
- Dubai is known for its technology and innovation hubs, which have led to thousands of startups and business ventures. Dubai is famous for its advanced digital infrastructure. The government of Dubai has introduced smart city initiatives and is currently improving its telecommunication and logistics sectors.
Environmental
- Dubai has continuously invested in sustainable development and green initiatives. These efforts have led to rapid urbanization and environmental management through the smart city plans under the Dubai 2033 roadmap.
How can Tetra Consultants help in obtaining the Dubai Residence Visa?
- Applying for a Dubai Residence Visa can be a difficult task, as it consists of multiple steps, legal formalities, as well as communicating with multiple UAE authorities. This is where our team at Tetra Consultants comes in. We have years of experience in helping our international clients with immigration services, offshore company incorporation, and residency services. Here is why our clients choose us:
- End-to-end assistance- Our team assists you from start to end, allowing you to focus on your core business operations.
- Tailored solution- We personalize a proposal based on your situation and eligibility criteria.
- Transparency and reliability- Our team operates with complete transparency throughout the engagement, our clients get regular updates on the progress of the application so that we are all on the same page.
- Global experience- We have global experience along with an in-depth understanding of local laws, ensuring that there are no barriers.
Looking to get a Dubai Residence Visa?
- Securing a Dubai Residence Visa has become more than a formality; it has become a mandatory step that will help you secure your future. Dubai has a secure and prosperous atmosphere that allows you to start a company, relocate your family, or even invest in real estate. Tetra Consultants helps you to secure your visa by making the entire process easy and streamlined. Our team handles every aspect of your visa journey, ensuring that there are no delays or rejections.
- Contact us, and our team will get back to you within 24 hours.
FAQs
What are the eligibility criteria to apply for this visa?
Can I sponsor my family with this visa?
If my Dubai Residence Visa expires, can I renew it?
Is a local sponsor needed for a Dubai Residence Visa?