Dubai: Around 9.06 million expats from 200 countries live in the UAE. UAE residence visa is a visa that is issued to people already in the country after entering the UAE on an entry or tourist visa. It allows them to live and work in the UAE. It can last from two to ten years, depending on the sponsor and the type of permit. The UAE offers four types of residency to expats seeking employment opportunities in the country.
1. Green Visa for work: The Green Visa is a type of residence visa that allows holder to self-sponsor for five years. The visa is renewable for the same term upon its expiry.
Green Visa holder did not need a UAE national or employer to sponsor their visas. It is designed to attract highly skilled professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and students to the country. Freelancers, self-employed and skilled employees can apply for a Green visa.
Freelancers, self-employed people must submit these documents for a Green visa:
A freelance/self-employment permit from Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
Proof of a bachelor’s degree or a specialised diploma
Evidence of annual income from self-employment for the previous two years amounting to not less than Dh360,000, or proof of financial solvency throughout their stay in the UAE.
To apply for a Green visa, skilled employees must:
Have a valid employment contract
Be classified in the first, second or third occupational level as per Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
Hold a minimum of bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Have a salary of not less than Dh15,000 per month.
2. Standard work visa: An expat can get a normal employment visa, usually for two years, if he/she is:
Employed in the private sector:
Apply for a residency visa for a person working in the private sector – GDRFAD Dubai
Employed in the government sector or a free zone:
Apply for a residency visa for an individual in (free zone) – GDRFAD Dubai
The employer must apply for the standard residence visa.
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3. Golden Visa: The Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa which enables foreigners to live, work or study in the UAE. The benefits of this visa include:
An entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance
A long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years
The privilege of not needing a sponsor
The ability to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months in order to keep their residence visa valid
The ability to sponsor their family members, including spouses and children regardless of their ages
The ability to sponsor unlimited number of domestic helpers
The permit for family members to stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration, if the primary holder of the Golden visa passes away.
The requirements to obtain a work permit through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiritisation (MoHRE) for a UAE golden residency visa holder are:
A clear coloured photo with a white background
A copy of a valid passport that must be valid for at least six months with a copy of a valid residency (Golden) Visa
Approved employment contract issued by the Ministry, which includes both the employer’s and employee’s signature
Academic Certificates: A clear certificate bearing the name of the employee, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the following skill levels:
Skill levels (1 & 2): Bachelor Degree or higher attested by the competent authorities;
Skill level (3 & 4): Diploma graduate or higher – attested by the competent authorities
Skill level (5): High school certificate – attested by the competent authorities
Professional license issued by the competent authority, for example doctor, nurse, etc (professional license issued by the Ministry of Health – Department of Health)/Teacher, teacher assistant (Ministry of Education- Knowledge Authority (Dubai) – Abu Dhabi Education Council – Sharjah Education Council), Fitness Trainer (Youth and Sports Authority)/Advocate (Ministry of Justice).
4. Domestic worker visa: UAE has specific visa regulations for domestic workers. Domestic workers in the UAE are typically sponsored by their employers. This means that their visa is tied to their employment with a specific household.
The expat looking to be a sponsor has to earn a salary that’s at least Dh25,000
The domestic worker cannot be related to the person sponsoring them
The sponsor has to be a UAE resident already who lives with their family
If the domestic worker is a private driver, then the sponsor must have two personal cars registered under their name in the UAE.
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