Types of Visa in UAE & requirements for apply

Articles (Gulf Inside) Types of Visa in UAE & requirements for apply: In UAE there are seven kinds of visas available, kindly note that Visa issuance is subject to certain requirements, which include GDRFA approval from the relevant emirate, passing a medical fitness test, a security check.

Types of visa in UAE and entry permits are:

1: Residence Visa
2: Tourist Visa or Visit Visa
3: Transit Visa
4: Student Visa
5: e-Visa for GCC Residents
6: Retirement Visa for UAE Residents
7: Visa for medical treatment for a patent and his/her companion.

1: UAE Residence Visa:

UAE Residence visa sometimes referred to as a work visa usually used for ex-pats taking over employment within the UAE which is valid for two years for LLC and three years for free zone companies. Residence visa should be applied by the employer (sponsor), medical is mandatory to urge this visa.

In 2019, the UAE implemented a replacement system for long-term residence visas. The new system enables foreigners to measure, work, and study within the UAE without the necessity of a national sponsor and with 100 percent ownership of their business on the UAE’s mainland. These residence visas are going to be issued for five or 10 years and can be renewed automatically.

For Eligibility and details of future residence visa, click here

2: UAE Tourist Visa – UAE Visit Visa:

Who is a tourist visa for?
UAE Tourist visa is for those that aren’t eligible for a visa on arrival or a visa-free entry to the United Arab Emirates. Tourist visas are often obtained for eligible individual tourists from around the world. Females below the age of 18 aren’t eligible to use for this sort of visa unless they’re traveling with their parents.

Free Tourist Visa:
According to a cupboard resolution passed in July 2018, children under the age of 18 years who are accompanying adults can get a free visa for his or her visit from 15 July to 15 September each year.

What is the validity of a tourist visa?
Depending on your plan, tourist visas to the UAE are often issued for 30 days or 90 days duration, single-entry bookkeeping, or multiple entries.

Who can apply for your tourist visa?
The UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas. In order to urge a tourist visa to the UAE, you would like to urge in-tuned with a touring agency, one among the UAE-based airlines, or a hotel (where you intend to stay) in the UAE who will apply for a visa on your behalf to the official visa-issuing authorities in the UAE.

Tourist visas through Travel Agencies and Hotels:
Licensed travel or tour agents and hotels within the UAE can arrange a tourist visa for you provided you buy the ticket through them and maintain hotel reservations with the specific hotel.

It is important to see the authenticity of travel agents you’re handling and refrain from paying or sending copies of your official documents until after you’re 100% sure the tour operator is genuine. You may seek the assistance of the UAE embassy in your country for verification purposes.

Tourist visas through Airlines:
Each airline has some conditions, which must be met so as for your visa to be arranged by them. One of the conditions is flying with them. For more updated and specific information, check the subsequent UAE-based airlines for visa types, facilities, terms, and conditions:

• Visa services from Etihad Airways
• Visa Services from Emirates Airline
• Visa services from Fly Dubai
• Visa services from Air Arabia

Renewing or Extending UAE Tourist Visa:
All types of visit and tourist visas are often extended for 30 days twice, upon renewal without the necessity to go away the country. Visitors and tourists can apply for the second renewal before the expiry of the primary one against AED 600 whenever of renewal.

However, the new rule for an extension doesn’t apply to the subsequent categories:

• Residents of GCC countries who want visitors or tourists visa.
• Residents accompanying GCC nationals
• Those on special entry permits
• Those on 96-hour permit for special missions

3: Transit Visa:

In UAE two kinds of transit visas available: The first one is for 48 hours which is free of charge and another one is for 96 hours for AED 50 only. UAE based airlines are only eligible for sponsor Transit visas and must be processed and approved before entering in the UAE. These transit visas are not extendable.

Who needs a UAE transit visa?
If you’re not one among the nationalities that are eligible for a visa on arrival or a visa-free entry to the UAE, then you would like a transit visa.

Transit Visa Requirements:
To get a UAE transit visa, you want to have:
A Valid passport with validity of a minimum of 3 months.
Color photo with white background
An onward ticket booking to a third destination, aside from the one you’re coming from.

4: Student Visa:

UAE student’s visa is that the 1-year renewable visa for a university or a university student studying within the UAE. which issued to students they are residing in UAE under their parent’s or relative’s sponsorship, or to foreign international students who come from abroad to join one among the upper educational institutes across UAE.

Long-term visa for outstanding students:
On 24 November 2018, the UAE government approved a choice to grant a 5-year visa to outstanding students.

Eligibility conditions for a 5-year Student visa are:
School students must graduate with a grade of a minimum of 95 percent from secondary schools whether public or private.
University students must graduate with a particular GPA of a minimum of 3.75 from universities within and out of doors the country.

Visa benefits also will include families of outstanding students.

Student Visa Requirements:
To get a UAE student’s visa, the applicant must obtain a politician admission letter from the university he’s studying. For older students, a certificate of continuation of study is required. Other requirements include:

• Passing medical fitness test
• University, Parents or relatives can sponsor the visa.
• Approval of the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs.

How can colleges and Universities secure a visa for his or her students?
Accredited universities and colleges within the UAE can secure a visa for his or her students whether international students or students already residing within the UAE. Students should ask the terms and conditions listed in each university or college to understand specific requirements for admission and visa process.

How can expatriate residents secure a student’s visa for his or her children?
UAE laws don’t allow UAE resident expatriates to continue sponsoring their male children above the age of 18. An exception is given to male students who continue their studies in one of the upper educational institutes within the UAE or abroad. Therefore, male students who are over the age of 18 can remain in UAE under their parent’s residence visa sponsorship as long as they will supply evidence of attendance at a good educational institute for a minimum of 1 year’s course. Expatriate parents may still sponsor their female children to study, no matter their children’s age.

Read This : UAE Annual Leave Law & Vacation Rules 2020

Note: New visa rules for children’s residency visa sponsored by parents

From October 21, 2018, The students who will be graduate from secondary schools, universities, or complete 18 years of aged will be granted for a one-year residence visa, renewable for an additional year from the graduation date, or on completing 18 years.

For this sort of visa, parents aren’t required to put bank deposits. The visa cost will be AED100 for the first time issuing and renewal.

To avail of visa service, the sponsor must present an attested graduation certificate from the universities or schools, whether inside the country or abroad.

5: e-Visa for GCC Residents:

GCC residents and companions traveling with GCC citizens got to apply for a visa online and acquire an equivalent before arriving within the UAE.

1. Notes and Conditions:
   e-Visa is going to be sent to you to your registered email address once your application is approved
2. Application for GCC residents and companions traveling with GCC citizens won’t be approved if the sponsor isn’t traveling alongside them
3. GCC residents’ entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and that they are allowed to remain for 30 days from the date of entry. The visa is extendable once for 30 days
4. Entry permit for companions traveling with GCC citizens is valid for 60 days from the date of issue and that they are allowed to remain for 60 days from the date of entry. The visa is extendable once for 60 days
5. Upon arrival, if the GCC resident’s visa is found to be expired or canceled, he won’t be granted entry
6. If the profession of the GCC resident is found to be changed after the issuance of his entry permit, the entry permit holder won’t be granted entry
7. GCC residency must be valid for at least 3 months from the arrival date
8. The passport of GCC residents must be valid a minimum of 3 months from the arrival date.

6: Retirement Visa for UAE Residents:

In September 2018, the UAE Cabinet approved a law to supply retired residents over the age of 55 a long-term visa for a period of 5 years, with the likelihood of renewal, if eligibility criteria are met.

For a retiree to be eligible for a 5-year renewable retirement visa, he must fulfill one among the subsequent criteria:

• By investing AED 2 million in a property.
• Atleast AED 1 million financial savings.
• AED 20,000 per month active income.

The visa is valid for 5 years with the possibility of renewing it if they meet the eligibility criteria.

7: Patient Entry Permit:

Foreign patients can enter the UAE for treatment under the sponsorship of medical establishment and government and personal hospitals. Upon the patient’s request, a medical establishment can take responsibility for the processing of entry permits for treatment. The sponsor must be a hospital licensed and registered within the UAE.

To start the process of the entry permit following documents will be required:

• Patient’s passport copy
• Reference Letter from a registered hospital which explaining the reasons to visit
• Patient’s health insurance
• Financial security.

Guide on types of Visa in UAE ended here, please note that UAE visa rules are subject to vary, our respected readers are always advised to see with UAE embassies and consulate abroad or contact the official sources like Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) for up to date UAE Visas rules and requirements.