Types of Visas in UAE: Your Ultimate Guide

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a premier destination for businesses and tourists seeking luxurious experiences. The country offers a wide array of opportunities for visitors, investors, and residents, ensuring equitable access for all. Despite the numerous benefits the government provides, entering the UAE is not as straightforward as it seems.

It is a well-known fact that you must obtain a visa in order to visit or conduct business in the UAE.  What is interesting here is that the UAE offers different types of visas. The type of visa you end up accessing depends on the nature of your business. So, without much ado, let’s take a quick look at the different types of UAE visas and their salient features.

Types of Visas in the UAE: A Glance

If you want to visit or build your dream business in the United Arab Emirates, you must be aware of the following types of visas.

Tourist Visa

Have you also been bitten by the travel bug? Do you also spend your time daydreaming about golden sands, good food, and a well-deserved holiday? If yes, apply for a tourist visa. You can obtain a tourist visa in the UAE through your airlines, online portals, or your travel agent.

However, it is important to remember that there are two types of tourist visas in the Emirates.

• Single-entry visa: The single-entry visa allows you to enter the UAE only once and is typically valid for 30 days. It is ideal for travelers who like to spend their limited break time in a single place to learn more about the culture and life of the people around them.
• Multiple entry visa: The multiple entry visa permits you to enter the United Arab Emirates numerous times throughout its validity period of 60 days. This type of visa is ideal for people who visit for specific purposes, like people who wish to attend music concerts, festivals, expos, and so on. These travelers can take multiple trips to participate in brief events in the period allotted to them.

To obtain a tourist visa in UAE, you must have a passport, a confirmed return ticket, a place of residence (booked hotel tickets) and enough funds to cover your stay.

2. Visit Visa

A visit visa in UAE is a broad term that allows you to enter the country for purposes beyond tourism. This includes visiting family members, attending meetings or conferences, interviews, or seeking medical treatment. The validity range of a visit visa is 30-90 days.

To obtain a visit visa in UAE, you have to submit the following documents:

• Valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Recent passport-sized photograph
• Confirmed return flight tickets
• Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation)
• Financial documents showing sufficient funds

Note: Depending on your purpose of visit, additional documents, such as an invitation letter from a family member in the UAE, business meeting confirmations, or medical appointment details, may be required.

3. Transit Visa

Air travel has shrunk the world for most of us. However, sometimes reaching far corners of the Earth means long layovers. Spending hours at an airport can be boring, especially if you are spending hours at a destination famous for its tourism.

Thus, if you are stopping over in the UAE and have hours to spend before your next flight, you can opt for a transit visa. A transit visa in the UAE allows you to stay in the country for up to 96 hours, giving you the chance to explore some places during your brief stay. To obtain a transit visa, you must apply for it in advance through your respective airline.

The only limitation is that you cannot extend the transit visa at your convenience. So, check the layover duration at the time of booking your tickets. You can apply for your transit visa based on your ticket details.

To obtain a transit visa in UAE, you must submit the following documents:

• A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months
• A completed application form
• A white background photo of yourself
• A confirmed onward flight ticket to your final destination
• Proof of accommodation if your stay exceeds 24 hours

4. Investor Visa

Do you wish to move to the United Arab Emirates as a business owner or investor? Then, you can opt for an investor visa. This visa grants you the right to live, work, and conduct business operations within the country. On top of that, you can also sponsor your family so they can move to the country with you.

To be eligible for an investor visa, you must invest a specific amount of money in your new company or purchase a certain number of shares in an existing company. The government and relevant authorities set this amount.  It is always better to seek assistance from a business setup advisor before applying for an investor visa. Business Setup Worldwide can help you with this.

Documents Required for Obtaining Investor Visa in the UAE are

• Immigration Establishment Card
• Bank statement covering the past 6 months
• Memorandum of Association (MOA)
• Passport copy
• Copy of Dubai Trade License
• Your recent photograph with a white background

Note: You may have to submit additional documents, but that depends on the type of investment.

5. Golden Visa

When it comes to this country, all that glitters is probably gold. The golden visa in UAE is a long-term residency visa typically valid for 5 to 10 years, allowing you to live, work, or study without the requirement of a separate work permit or employment contract. This visa is available to various categories of individuals, including real estate investors, investors in public investments, entrepreneurs, doctors, athletes, and creative professionals in the fields of arts and science.

To get a golden visa in UAE, you need to submit:

• A copy of your passport
• Passport-sized photographs
• Proof of investment or employment
• Educational certificates
• Health insurance coverage

6. Green Visa

The green visa in UAE allows you to sponsor yourself for 5 years, eliminating the need for an employer to sponsor your visa. This visa is suitable for freelancers, self-employed individuals, and skilled employees who wish to live and work in the UAE independently.

To obtain the green visa, you must submit:

• A valid passport
• Recent passport-sized photograph
• Proof of health insurance
• A valid entry permit
• Evidence of qualifications
• Proof of employment or a freelancing work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
• A completed application form.

7. Freelance Visa

Freelancers are breaking the chains of corporate 9-5 jobs to fuel their creativity. They have the freedom and flexibility to adjust their schedule and pick their workplace of the week, month, or year. If you are a free soul who likes to diversify your profile, you can apply for a freelance visa in the UAE.

The benefits: a) you don’t need to establish a company to work as a freelancer, b) you can work in any sector of your choice, and c) the validity of your visa in the UAE extends to up to 2 years.

The documents you may need to submit for obtaining a freelance visa in UAE are:

• A passport copy
• Passport-sized photos
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A degree certificate or diploma
• A portfolio or work samples
• Bank statements or proof of income
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from a sponsor, if applicable
• A self-employment or freelance permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)

To get a freelance visa in the UAE, you can get in touch with Business Setup Worldwide.

8. Employment Visa

Have you finally landed that dream job in the United Arab Emirates? Are you packing your bags and ready to jet off to an exciting new country? If so, you simply need to apply for an employment visa in UAE.

This visa allows you to live and work in the country as an employee. Typically, your employer will sponsor your visa. It is a critical document that allows you to work legally in the UAE.

To obtain an employment visa, you have to submit:

• Proof of identity
• An employment contract
• Proof of work experience.

The validity of your employment visa depends on the type of company contract you use.

9. Remote Work Visa

Are you a digital nomad? Do you complete your work while checking off dream destinations from your bucket list? If so, a remote work visa or Digital Nomad visa is ideal for you.

The government of UAE issues this visa for individuals employed by companies outside the UAE who wish to live and work remotely within the country.

To obtain a UAE remote working visa, you have to submit the following documents:

• Your valid Passport
• Proof of employment
• Proof of salary
• Proof of remote working
• Proof of health insurance covering the UAE.
• Passport-sized photos with a white background.

10. Blue Visa

Go green to obtain a Blue Visa in the UAE. This 10-year residence visa is granted to individuals who provide exceptional services in environmental protection and sustainability, both within and beyond the UAE. This visa is specially reserved for individuals involved in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), global award winners, and supporters of environmental actions. The purpose of this visa is to attract top talent in the environmental and sustainability sectors.

11. Student Visa

If you are seeking educational opportunities in the UAE, then you can opt for a student visa. The student visa in UAE allows you to enrol in academic programmes and achieve your educational goals.

To obtain a student visa in UAE, you have to submit the following documents:

• Completed online registration form
• Submitted online visa application form
• Passport-size photo with white background
• Proof of payment for visa application

12. Family Visa

Are you missing your loved ones who are far away from you? Don’t worry. The UAE government has introduced family visas to help you reunite with your family or loved ones. To obtain a family visa in the UAE, you must submit the following documents:

• Your passport
• Emirates ID
• Photographs with white background
• Marriage certificate
• Medical clearance
• Employment contract
• Salary certificate
• Bank statement
• Medical insurance
• Evidence of residency

How Do You Obtain Visas in the UAE?

Obtaining a visa in UAE is straightforward if you follow these essential steps:

1. Seek an Expert’s Assistance

In the UAE, you require a visa for everything, whether you’re starting a business or vacationing with family. Consulting an expert such as Business Setup Worldwide (BSW) will provide you with the necessary information about the availabilities of different types of visas in the UAE.

2. Choose Your Required Visa

Since we have discussed the different types of visas in the UAE, you must choose the required visa based on your needs.

3. Fill Out the Application Form

Complete the visa application with the assistance of Business Setup Worldwide.

4. Submit the Essential Documents

To proceed with your visa registration process, you need to submit essential documents along with a duly filled-out form. The required documentation may vary depending on your chosen visa type. Your expert guide will help you navigate through this step.

5. Pay the Visa Cost

To obtain a visa, you must pay a specific fee. The cost of a UAE visa varies depending on the type of visa and the number of days you plan to stay. Contact BSW for a detailed breakdown of the visa fees in the UAE.

Why Choose BSW’s Services?

Business Setup Worldwide has been assisting clients with company formation and visa services in Dubai, UAE, for over eight years. The experts at BSW manage the process carefully, always considering the clients' concerns. We handle the visa process, from filling out the online application to completing all the necessary steps. We offer affordable visa fees. If you need assistance with our services, contact us.