Let's Talk
Free Consultation
New Visa Rules in UAE
Types of Visas in the UAE
Residence Visa
Individuals can get a residence visa to live, work or study in the country. The type of residence visa you need to apply for will depend on your situation.
Work Visa
If you’re employed in the UAE, your employer will sponsor your visa for the period of your employment (usually two years). This will give you the right to live in the country and work for a specific employer. If you find a new job, your new employer will have to sponsor you.
Student Visa
Students can get a student visa to study in the UAE in two ways: they can either be sponsored by their parent (who must already be a resident) or by the university they are studying in. The visa is given for a year, subject to renewal every year.
Self-employed Visa
Freelancers and/or self-employed individuals can apply for the “Green visa” to sponsor themselves to live and work in the country for up to five years at a time. This eliminates the need for an employer or UAE national to sponsor you.
Golden Visa
The golden visa is valid for up to five or ten years and allows foreign nationals to live and work in the country without a sponsor. Scientists, humanitarians, specialized talents, entrepreneurs, frontline workers, investors, meritorious students and graduates are all eligible to apply.
Residence Visa for Retirees
If you’re worked for over 15 years and are over 55 years of age, you can apply for the residence visa as a retired person. This is a long-term visa for five years, and can be renewed. You can find the eligibility criteria on the UAE government portal.
Visit Visa in UAE
Foreign visitors can select among many types of visit visas that fit specific purposes and stay durations in the UAE. If you’re visiting a family member or a friend in the country, this is the type of visa you need.
Individuals exploring investment opportunities in the country can also apply for a visit visa that gives them permission to get a single-entry stay in the country for 60, 90, or 120 days.
Latest Updates in UAE Visa Rules
1. Introduction of a Five-year Tourist Visa
The tourist visa is now a multiple-entry visa that is granted for five years, allowing individuals to stay in the country for up to 90 days, with the option to extend their stay by another 90 days.
2. New Eligibility Categories for Golden Visa
The golden visa eligibility requirements now include digital content creators and professionals from the education sector including those from childhood centers, schools, and universities. The visa now also welcomes applications from owners of luxury yachts. The rules may vary based on the residing emirate of the applicant.
3. Salary Threshold Lowered for Sponsorship
Expats who earn AED 4,000 a month or AED 3,000 with accommodation allowance can now sponsor dependents and family members to stay in the country.
4. Certain Indians Can Get Visa On Arrival
Indian passport holders with valid passports, visas, residence permits, or Green Cards from a new list of approved countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, United States, European Union, or United Kingdom) can obtain entry visas upon arrival. The visa fees for UAE immigration include AED 100 for visitors staying for 14 days and AED 250 for those residing for 60 days.
To be eligible, all Indian residents traveling to the UAE need passports that maintain validity of at least six months, counting from their departure date. All travellers need to provide documentation, including funds, return ticket evidence, and accommodation verification to obtain a visa.
5. Introduction of Blue Visa
The blue visa is a 10-year visa awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to sustainability and environment protection either inside or outside the UAE. You can either be nominated for the visa or apply for it yourself.
6. Expanded Job Seeker Visa
You can apply for a single-entry jobseeker visa to stay in the country for 60, 90, or 120 days. Eligibility criteria includes having a bachelors degree, a financial guarantor, and having certain skills as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) standards.
Let A&A Associate Make Your UAE Visa Application Easier
For expert assistance, contact us at +971 50 483 6190 or email us at info@aaconsultancy.ae. We’re here to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Indians residency permits from countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, United States, European Union, or the United Kingdom can now receive on-arrival visas in the UAE. You can even request an additional 14-day visit by paying AED 250 to the authorities. The UAE government provides Indian nationals with new extended visa options that include a 10-year Golden visa for YouTubers, podcasters, and writers.
These are the documents you need to get a job seeker visa:
- A copy of the applicant’s passport
- A recent colour photograph of the applicant
- Each applicant needs a government-based identification card.
- Attested credentials of qualification
UAE residents have up to 6 months as a grace period to renew their resident visas. The duration may vary based on the type of residence visa you are renewing. If you overstay, you will be fined AED 50 per day. Those on tourist or visit visas do not have any grace period and must exit the country before their visa expires.
The amnesty program in the UAE ended on December 31, 2024. This means that individuals with “irregular status” will be fined AED 50 per day and can face deportation. If an employer is found to have hired such an individual, they may be fined up to AED one million.
Generally, it costs about AED 3,500 for a two-year residence visa without insurance. A&A Associate offers visa services managed by experts who can handle the entire process, including calculating visa costs.
Tourists can now apply for a multiple-entry, five year visa if they are not eligible for visa on arrival. You need to have a bank balance of at least $4,000 or its equivalent in the last six months, proof of stay, health insurance, and entry and exit tickets to be eligible to apply.
The minimum salary threshold for applying for a Golden visa depends on your line of work. For example, executive directors need a minimum salary of AED 50,000 while investors must have at least AED two million deposited in an investment fund. Working with an expert in visa services can make the process easier.
Gamers interested in residing long-term in the UAE can apply for a Gaming visa that grants 10-year residency in Dubai. To be eligible, applicants have to be at least 25 years old and have proven expertise in the industry. This could be as a developer, player, content creator, or other related roles.
Individuals making AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 with accommodation allowance can sponsor their families in UAE, regardless of their job title. You can sponsor spouses, parents, and other dependents. Sponsored individuals may have to undergo medical screening if they are over 18.
You can now extend your visa without leaving and re-entering the country as per the new visa rules for UAE in 2025.
