Family visa in the UAE: methods and conditions of obtaining

Many entrepreneurs, discovering the economic opportunities of Dubai, eventually decide to relocate and bring their families along. Thanks to a series of positive reforms in the UAE’s migration policy from 2019 to 2022, doing so is much easier today. For example, purchasing property in Dubai worth at least AED 750,000 ($204,000) allows individuals to obtain a 2-year residence visa. This visa also permits the buyer to apply for visas for their immediate family members.

Read on to find out more on how to relocate to the UAE with your entire family and what visas are suitable for this purpose.

Content:

• Why visa is needed
• The difference between a residence visa and a tourist visa
• Golden visa
• Requirements for applicants
• Government investments
• Real estate investments
• Entrepreneurs and start-up owners
• Investor visa
• Residence visa for family members
• Sponsorship requirements
• What documents are required
• What else you need to know
• Frequently asked questions about family visas
• Legal assistance in document preparation and purchase of real estate

Why visa is needed

Despite the hospitality of the UAE, the interests of local citizens are respected. They have many benefits, ranging from free medical care and education to minimal utility bills. The UAE needs an influx of labour, but it is not profitable for the authorities to give advantages of local citizens to visitors. For this reason, it is very difficult to get citizenship. It requires:

• Marriage to a UAE citizen. His children get citizenship automatically. The wife will be able to apply for a visa after 7 years of being married, but its further consideration depends directly on the officials. If a man marries a UAE woman, which is also extremely rare, then he cannot apply for citizenship.
• Being a citizen of neighbouring countries to the UAE and long-term residence on its territory.

Thus, for foreigners the only alternative to citizenship is a visa.

The difference between a residence visa and a tourist visa

The main difference lies in the resident rights. A tourist permit is issued for a short period of 30 to 90 days. With this permit, you can come to the country in order to explore the sights, choose real estate and even purchase it. However, it does not allow you to work and engage in commercial activities.

For a legitimate and extended stay in the country, a residence visa is required. The duration of the visa can vary depending on the grounds for which the visa is being granted. Let’s take a closer look at the types of visas suitable for family sponsorship, discuss the ways to obtain them, and highlight the specific features in Dubai.

Golden visa

The Golden Visa is a local equivalent of a residence permit created for major investors, entrepreneurs, and outstanding individuals engaged in various fields. With this visa, foreign citizens gain exceptional rights and the opportunity for long-term residence in the UAE. The visa is issued for 5–10 years with subsequent renewals for the same period. The duration depends on the applicant’s grounds.

Advantages of the Golden Visa:

• No need for a sponsor;
• Validity for 5–10 years;
• The ability to sponsor family members regardless of their age;
• Unlimited stay outside the UAE;
• Work authorisation;
• Ability to sponsor domestic help;
• In the event of the primary visa holder’s death, family members can reside in the emirate until the visa expires.

Requirements for applicants

The Golden Residency programme includes an extensive list of categories of individuals eligible to apply. Among them are artists, cultural figures, scientists, athletes, and other prominent personalities. In this article, we will specifically examine the conditions for investors and entrepreneurs.

Government investments

Investors in various sectors of the UAE economy can apply for a 10-year Golden Visa under the following conditions:

• The enterprise must be located in the UAE;
• Proof of a deposit of AED 2 million ($544,500) or the presentation of a valid commercial or industrial licence and a memorandum of association indicating the investor’s capital of at least AED 2 million;
• Annual investments in the UAE economy of no less than AED 250,000 ($68,000).

Additionally, the investor must:

• Own investment capital, i.e., not use borrowed funds;
• Provide medical insurance for themselves and their family members.

Real estate investments

Owners and buyers of real estate worth at least AED 2 million and more can apply for a 5-year Golden Visa. You can purchase a single apartment in Dubai or own multiple properties whose total value is equal to or exceeds the specified amount, prove your ownership, and then apply for a residence visa for yourself and close relatives.

Conditions and features of the programme:

• Submission of a letter from the Land Department stating ownership of one or more properties;
• Real estate can be financed through a mortgage;
• No need for a sponsor;
• It is possible to buy property in under-construction development projects in Dubai.

Entrepreneurs and start-up owners

Entrepreneurs or start-up owners in the UAE can apply for a 5-year residence visa. Requirements include:

• A project worth at least AED 500,000 ($136,000);
• Confirmation from the authorities that the enterprise is valuable for the emirate’s economy or has an innovative character;
• A letter from an accredited business incubator in the UAE to operate in the country.

Investor visa

This service allows an investor who owns real estate in Dubai worth AED 750,000 ($204,000) or more at the time of purchase to apply for a 2-year renewable visa, which allows them to sponsor a spouse and children.

Conditions and features of the programme:

• Property can be purchased through a mortgage with the condition that at the time of purchase, at least 50% of the amount or a minimum of AED 750,000 has been paid off;
• Submission of a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the developer.
• Submission of an attested marriage certificate;
• Possibility of visa renewal for the same period.

Residence visa for family members

Employers and employees with valid residence visas in the UAE can sponsor visas for their families. Unlike previous cases, employees can sponsor their families regardless of their position, provided they earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 AED ($1,100) or AED 3,000 ($800) plus additional funds for living expenses.

Sponsorship requirements

In addition to the aforementioned requirements, it is also important to be aware of the following conditions:

• Family members of both genders who are subject to sponsorship and are over 18 years old must undergo a mandatory medical examination at approved medical centres in the UAE;
• The sponsoring resident has 60 days to apply for a residence visa for dependents after they enter the UAE;
• A resident can sponsor their parents, and the residence visa will be issued on an annual basis regardless of the validity period of the sponsor’s visa;
• Health conditions may be a factor in the approval or denial of a residence visa.

What documents are required

• Application, completed in the prescribed form;
• Employment contract, employment card;
• Salary certificate, confirmed by a bank statement;
• Documents proving ownership or tenancy of the property;
• Emirates ID;
• Marriage certificate, passports of family members and a resident. Copies of documents;
• Medical clearance certificate of the spouse and children;
• Photographs.

What else you need to know

In order to obtain residency, it is important to have a good reputation. If the applicant has had run-ins with the authorities and violated the requirements of local legislation, they are automatically blacklisted. For this, it is enough to break the law while on vacation. In this case, you will be refused a visa.

Frequently asked questions about family visas

• How long does it last? The duration of a visa depends on the status of the investor. The residency period for family members sponsored by a resident will be the same as the sponsor’s.
• Is it possible to sponsor parents? This is legally allowed, but a deposit is required for each family member. It requires the relocation of both parents. If one of the spouses has died or they are divorced, documentary evidence is necessary. To sponsor retirees, the minimum salary requirement increases to AED 20,000 ($5,500). The resident is expected to take responsibility for dependents and ensure their comfortable living conditions.
• How long does it take for the documents to be processed? On average, the process takes about a month.
• Can a single parent obtain residency for their child? Yes, they can. However, married women require spousal consent, and single mothers need to provide evidence of custody.
• Can a family visa be extended? When extending a residence visa, a family visa can also be extended an unlimited number of times.
• Is it allowed to apply for documents for children from previous marriages? Yes, it is. But in this case, the consent of their biological parents is required.
• Is it possible to obtain a residence and work permit on your own? Theoretically, yes, but without knowledge of all aspects, there is a high probability of making mistakes, which will lead to delays in time. It is much safer to entrust the process to a professional agency.

Legal assistance in document preparation and purchase of real estate

The company’s specialists will be happy to advise on any issue related to obtaining residency in the United Arab Emirates. The catalogue presents a wide selection of real estate, among which you can choose property for the whole family without visiting the UAE.