There might be many reasons why you might want to relocate to Dubai. However, if you are planning on staying there for a long time, acquiring a residence visa can be a great decision. Further mentioned in this article is every detail about the process of application.
UAE Residency Visa Application Process
It is better to have an idea about the application process so that you can ensure that you do not make any rookie mistakes. Firstly, not many people know that you can only apply for a residence visa once you are already in Dubai. This means that you will have to enter the city with an Entry Visa. In addition to that, just with an entry permit, you are not eligible to apply for your own residence Visa here. You will have to get a sponsor to do that for you, be it your employer, spouse or other close family members.
This can create further confusion as to who can be your sponsor. This depends mainly on the purpose of your visit to Dubai. For instance, your employer is the sponsor in case of a work visa, while the school is your sponsor when you apply for a student visa. Similarly, for a family visa, you have to choose one of your family members as your sponsor. Only when you are an investor or have bought a property in the UAE can you apply for yourself. In such a case, the company or property you own will act as sponsorship.
How to Apply For the UAE Residency Visa?
To begin with the process, your sponsor will have to get you an entry permit. They can do so from:
- The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (for this, you can either use ICA’s eChanel portal or their mobile applications)
- The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (you can either apply for one on their online portal or in person. If your sponsor decides to do it in person, they will have to go to one of GDRFA’s licensed typing centres or the Amer centre in Dubai)
- GDRFA Dubai mobile app
Once your sponsor has acquired that and you are in the country, you can get on with the process of applying for your residence visa. This, too, has to be done at the GDRFA of the emirate that you live in. you will also have to pay a nominal UAE Residency Visa fee while applying for the Visa. The fee usually depends on the validity of your Visa.
With that, you are done with the most part and now have to wait for your application to get approved. If it gets approved, the GDRFA will attach a Residence Visa to your current passport. In addition, you will also get a new Emirate ID, which will be valid for the same time as your Visa.
Even though this process can seem quite simple and easy, there are some intricacies that can further delay it. In such times, it is best to avail help from professional companies like Emirabiz.
