The UAE's rapidly expanding expat population is a result of revisions to residency visa requirements and civil law reforms.
With great living standards, the UAE is home to nearly 9.06 million foreign residents from 200 countries. amendments to resident visas and amendments to civil law are responsible for the fast expansion of the expat community in the Emirates.
Those who have entered the UAE on an entrance or tourist visa and are currently residing there are granted a residence visa. Depending on the sponsor and the type of permission, it can be valid for two to ten years and permits them to live and work in the nation.
The United Arab Emirates provides foreign workers looking for work in the nation with four different residency options. The various permission kinds are listed below.
1. Green Visa for work
With the Green Visa, holders can self-sponsor their residency for a period of five years, doing away with the requirement that an employer or UAE national sponsor their visas. It is intended to draw in highly qualified individuals, capitalists, business owners, and students to the nation.
Who can apply for a Green Visa?
Those who work for themselves, freelancers, and skilled workers may apply for a Green visa.
1. Freelancers and/or self-employed people
In order to apply for a Green visa, independent contractors and/or self-employed individuals must submit:
- permission from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization to work as a freelancer or independently
- evidence of a specialized certification or a bachelor's degree
- proof of self-employment income of at least Dh360k per year for the preceding two years, or evidence of continuous financial stability during their stay in the UAE.
2. Skilled employees
To apply for a Green visa, skilled employees must
- possess a current work contract
- be categorized according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization as belonging to the first, second, or third occupational level.
- possess an equivalent or minimum of a bachelor's degree
- possess a monthly salary of at least Dh15,000.
Renewing the visa
The visa is renewable for the same term upon its expiry.
2. Standard work visa
An foreign national may obtain a regular work permit, typically valid for two years, if they are:
working for a private company
GDRFAD Dubai is the place to apply for a resident visa for someone who works in the private sector.
working for the government or in a free zone
Request a resident visa for a single person in the (free zone) of GDRFAD Dubai.
The usual resident visa application must be made by the employer.
3. Golden Visa
The Golden Visa for the UAE is a long-term residency permit that allows talented foreigners to live, work, or study in the country while taking advantage of special advantages like:
- a six-month entrance visa that can be used many times in order to get a resident permit
- a renewable, long-term residency visa good for five or ten years
- the benefit of not requiring a sponsor
- the capacity to remain outside the United Arab Emirates for longer than the customary six months in order to maintain the validity of their residency visa
- the capacity to sponsor their spouses and kids, regardless of age, as well as other family members
- the capacity to support an infinite number of domestic assistants
- the permission, in the event that the principal Golden visa holder passes away, for family members to remain in the UAE until the conclusion of their permit period.
Golden Visa requirements
For holders of a UAE golden residency visa, the following conditions must be met in order to get a work permit through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiritization (MoHRE):
- a crisply colored picture against a white backdrop
- a copy of a current passport that has to be good for at least six months along with a copy of a current Golden Visa for residency
- authorized employment contract signed by the employee and the employer and issued by the Ministry
- academic qualifications: For the following skill levels, a clear certificate with the employee's name on it that has been verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Levels of proficiency (1 & 2): a bachelor's degree or above certified by the appropriate authorities;
Level of proficiency (3 & 4): Diploma graduate or above, as certified by the appropriate authorities
Level of proficiency (5): High school diploma, certified by appropriate authorities5. A professional license issued by the appropriate body, such as a teacher assistant license from the Ministry of Education's Knowledge Authority (Dubai), an advocate license from the Ministry of Justice, a doctor's license from the Department of Health, a nurse's license from the Ministry of Education, a fitness trainer license from the Youth and Sports Authority, etc.
4. Domestic worker visa
The UAE has particular visa requirements for domestic employees. The rights and welfare of domestic workers, many of whom are foreign nationals employed in the UAE, are intended to be safeguarded by these legislation.
In the United Arab Emirates, employers usually support domestic servants. This indicates that their job with a particular home is a requirement for their visa.
The following are important details about UAE domestic worker visas:
- The foreign national seeking sponsorship must make at least Dh25,000 per year in compensation.
- The person sponsoring the domestic worker is not related to them.
- The sponsor must already reside in the UAE and support their family.
- The sponsor must have two personal vehicles registered in their names in the United Arab Emirates if the domestic worker drives a private vehicle.
