Types of special visas in Dubai you can apply for
Dubai has firmly cemented its place as one of the world’s premier business and travel destinations. And a large part of this popularity is due to the liberal visa policy. Besides the general visit or residency visa, Dubai offers special visas that cater to a wide range of needs, ranging from medical treatment to disaster migration. To help you apply for the right visa, here’s a handy list of all the special Dubai visas.
TYPES OF SPECIAL DUBAI VISAS
E-VISA FOR GCC RESIDENTS
GCC residents who want to enter Dubai can apply for an eVisa to enter the country. It remains valid for 30 days, but you can renew it for another 30 days if it expires.
To be eligible for the visa, you must have:
- A valid GCC residency (valid at least three months from the arrival date).
- A valid passport (valid at least three months from the arrival date).
CONDITIONS
- GCC residents will have the eVisa delivered directly to the registered email address after the approval of their application.
- If the profession has changed after the GCC residents received an entry permit, they will not be allowed to enter Dubai.
- The visa application will not be approved if the sponsor is not travelling with GCC citizens.
THE UAE GOLDEN VISA
The Golden Visa is one of the long-term residence visas in the UAE that enables people from all over the world to live, work and study in the country. UAE Golden Visas granted for five or ten years are extended automatically.
The UAE Golden Visa holders include:
- Investors
- Real Estate Investors
- Entrepreneurs
- PhD holders in the UAE
- Graduates with a 3.75 GPA from UAE-accredited universities
- Doctors and physicians passed out from UAE institutions
- UAE-based engineers from computer science, biotechnology, programming, electronics and electricity
- Experts in Epidemiology and Viruses, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Engineering).
- Top graduates from UAE’s high schools and their families
- Imams, muezzins, preachers, muftis, and religious researchers who have been serving in Dubai for 20 years
REAL ESTATE INVESTOR VISA
One of the special Dubai visas designed to encourage real estate investment in the country is the UAE real estate investor visas. It has two types.
For a 10-year investor visa, you would need to meet the following requirements:
- Establish a new company with a capital investment of equal to AED 10M or more
- Establishing a partnership in an existing company with an investment of AED 10M or more
- Have deposits of at least AED 10M in any emirate of the UAE.
- Ensure that within the total investment of AED 10M, 60% of that amount or AED 6M of the total investment is made in sectors other than the real estate market
The alternative is a 5-year property investor visa. The conditions for which are:
- An investment in a property of AED 5M or more
- The amount cannot be loaned
- Property must be retained for at least three years.
DUBAI BUSINESS VISA
The UAE Business Visa is an integral part of the Gold Card Visa UAE system. Foreign entrepreneurs who have set up their businesses can apply for this permit at some point in their careers. The eligibility criteria for a UAE Business Visa include:
- Substantiation of your entrepreneurial experience
- Shareholder of a start-up or a senior role in a company
- Intent to relocate to the UAE
- Having a tangible business idea or plan
Dependents of Business Visa holders can also apply for the visa.
DUBAI MEDICAL VISAS
The Patient Entry Permit (more commonly known as the Dubai Medical Visa) is granted to those seeking medical treatment in the city. These types of entry permits are available for both patients and their companions. The two main types are:
- Single Entry Patient and their companion entry permits
- Multiple-entry Patient and their companion entry permits
Hospitals in Dubai ensure advanced treatment for various medical and cosmetic needs. To get a Dubai Medical Visa, your sponsor must apply through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). For a visa to proceed successfully, your sponsor must submit:
- A copy of your passport
- A letter from your hospital explaining your condition and the reason for your visit
- Proof of financial solvency
- Proof of medical insurance
RETIREMENT VISA FOR UAE RESIDENTS
Retirement Visa is another special type of visa in Dubai. Retired residents aged 55 or above can apply for a long-term residence visa in the region. The retirement visa in Dubai is valid for five years and can be renewed if one of the following conditions are met:
- If the retiree buys a property worth AED 2M
- If the retiree has financial savings of up to AED 1M
- If the retiree has an active income of AED 20k per month.
UAE REMOTE WORKING VISA
The pandemic has changed the working patterns in many industries and many people now prefer to work remotely. This means whether you are employed with a company or a freelancer, you can work from anywhere in the world. For such individuals, the UAE government had announced a one-year residence visa. Conditions for the visa are:
- A valid passport for least six months
- Health insurance
- Proof of employment/ownership
- Employment contract with at least one-year validity
- Previous payslip
- 3-month preceding bank statements
- Monthly salary/income of at least USD 5,000
EVENT VISAS IN DUBAI
Those who wish to attend exhibitions, conferences or other events can apply for an Event Visa in Dubai. It is quite similar to a Dubai tourist visa and can’t be renewed. To apply for an Event Visa, submit:
- A copy of a three-month valid passport
- A copy of passport and visa page of sponsor
ONE-YEAR RESIDENCY PERMIT FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY WAR OR DISASTERS
As per the resolution issued by the UAE Cabinet in 2018, citizens of countries affected by wars and disasters can also apply for residency in Dubai. The term of residency in Dubai is one year. Widows, divorced women, and children can renew their visas once without a sponsor.
SPONSORING PARENTS AS A UAE BASED STUDENT
Recently the UAE government announced a special visa to facilitate international students based in the UAE. With this special Dubai visa, students would be able to sponsor their parents or other dependents provided they have the financial means to do so, including housing. More details regarding student-sponsored visas for families will be announced soon.
FAQS
HOW MANY TYPES OF VISAS ARE THERE FOR DUBAI TRAVELLERS?
Being a popular travel destination, Dubai has different visas to welcome travellers from all over the world. From tourist to student visas, there are numerous types of visas in Dubai. Expats employed in the emirate are often holders of work visas in Dubai.
HOW TO RENEW A TOURIST VISA IN DUBAI?
You can get Dubai visa extension twice for a 30-day period.
HOW CAN I CANCEL A RESIDENCY VISA IN THE UAE?
As per the United Arab Emirates (UAE) visa policy, only sponsors can cancel your residence visa in the country. The process involves many steps that are detailed in this guide to the visa cancellation process in the UAE.
CAN I GET VISA ON ARRIVAL IN DUBAI?
Dubai allows residents of some countries to get a visa on arrival in the city. Check our guide to the UAE transit visa to know whether you’re eligible for a visa on arrival in Dubai.
HOW MUCH DOES A 3 MONTH VISIT VISA IN DUBAI COST?
The cost of a 90-day visit visa in Dubai is AED 1,000. Read our Dubai tourist visa guide if you want to explore more visit visa options.
That brings an end to our list of special types of visas in Dubai. We hope this guide has proved helpful and informative.
Are you heading to Dubai for the first time? Check out this handy guide to planning your first trip to Dubai. Want to be fully prepared for the stay? Brush up on the rules in Dubai for tourist to avoid inconveniences. Toursits and residents alike have too be careful about the last day of their visa. Failure to do so can lead to Dubai over stay fine.
For more information about the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut.
