The UAE introduced a new system for long-term resident permits in 2019. Foreigners can now live, work, and study in the UAE without the requirement for a national sponsor, and they can own 100% of their firm on the UAE’s mainland. These visas will be given for a period of 5 or 10 years and will automatically renew.

Eligibility for a 10-year visa

In order to apply for a 10-year resident visa in the UAE, you must fall into one of the following categories.

  1. Investors with a minimum investment of AED 10 million in public investments.
  • A deposit of at least AED 10 million in an investment fund inside the country.
  • Forming a business in the UAE with a minimum capital of AED 10 million.
  • Investing in an existing or new firm having a market capitalization of at least AED10 million.
  • Investing a total of not less than AED 10 million in all areas specified, with a minimum of 60% of the total investment in non-real estate industries.

Conditions:

Granting a visa is subject to the following conditions:

  • The amount invested must not be loaned.
  • The investment should be retained for atleast three years.
  • There should be a financial solvency up to AED 10 million.

Visa can be extended to include business partners, on the condition that each partner contributes AED 10 million. The long-term visa can include the spouse and children, as well as one executive director and one advisor. Investors from abroad may apply for a multiple-entry permit for a six-month period.

  1. Persons with specialized talents

Specialists and researchers in the fields of science and knowledge, such as physicians, specialists, scientists, and inventors, as well as creative persons in the realms of culture and art, are included. The spouse and children are also eligible for the visa benefit. A legitimate employment contract in a specialized sector of a priority in the UAE is necessary for all categories.

Conditions:

Granting a visa is subject to the following conditions:

  • Scientists must be accredited by Emirates Scientists Council or holders of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence.
  • Creative individuals in culture and art must be accredited by Ministry of Culture and Youth.
  • Inventors must obtain a patent of value, which adds to the UAE’s economy. Patents must be approved by Ministry of Economy.
  • Exceptional talents must be documented by patents or scientific research published in a world-class journal.
  • Executives must be owners of a leading and internationally recognized company or holders of a high academic achievement and position.
  • Doctors and specialists must meet at least two of the following conditions:
  • A Ph. D. degree from one of the top 500 universities in the world.
  • An award or certificates of appreciation in the field of the applicant’s work.
  • Contribution to major scientific research in the respective field of work.
  • Published articles or scientific books in distinguished publications in the respective field of work.
  • Membership in an organization related to the field.
  • A Ph. D. degree, in addition to 10-year professional experience in his field.
  • Specialization in areas of priority to the UAE.

Eligibility for a 5-year visa

The following categories are entitled to apply for a 5-year residence visa in the UAE.

  1. Investors in a property in the UAE

Conditions:

Granting a visa is subject to the following conditions:

  • The investor must invest in a property of a gross value of not less than AED 5 million.
  • The amount invested in real estate must not be on loan basis.
  • The property must be retained for at least three years.
  1. Entrepreneurs
  • This category includes those having an existing project with a minimum capital of AED 500,000, or those who have the approval of an accredited business incubator in the country.
  • The entrepreneur is allowed a multi-entry visa for six months, renewable for another six months. The long-term visa includes the spouse and children, a partner and three executives.
  1. Outstanding Students

This includes:

  • Outstanding students with a minimum grade of 95 per cent in public and private secondary schools
  • University students within and outside the country having a distinction GPA of at least 3.75 upon graduation.

Long-term visa includes families of the outstanding students.