Obtaining Dubai Residency

Many foreign citizens are interested in coming and applying for residency in Dubai. One can obtain residency in Dubai, if sponsorship by 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 company formation consultants in Dubai can advise on the main ways of obtaining residency in the Emirate.

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 an 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 applies for 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 limited 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 own property.

The video below shows the main ways to obtain residency in Dubai:

Residency by buying a property in Dubai

Another way of obtaining a residence visa for Dubai is by purchasing real estate. Even if this option is available 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 purchase and its value must be of at least 1 million AED (approximately 275,000 USD). A residence visa obtained by purchasing a property in Dubai has a two-year validity period and does not grant the right to work in the Emirate. However, its main advantage is that the owners is not required to register a company in Dubai.

Obtaining residency through company registration in Dubai

Perhaps the most popular way of obtaining Dubai residency is by registering a company in the Emirate or in one of its free zones. If opening an onshore company implies sponsorship from the local partner, the registration of a company in a Dubai free zone provides 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 employees 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 representatives can assist with the documents related to opening companies in the Emirate or any of its free zones.

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

The applicant will also undergo a medical exam prior to his or her employment. A medical examination will be necessary every time the residence permit is renewed.

The processing time for residency visas has decreased during the last years and, for quick and simple application procedures, you may request the services of our company incorporation agents in Dubai.