The UAE has become one of the top business travel destinations in recent years. Entrepreneurs want to establish businesses in the United Arab Emirates and live with their families. As a result, before obtaining dependent visas for their family members, business owners must first know about the residence visa cost in the UAE, UAE residence visa fees 2025, and how to obtain it.
So, if you’re looking for long-term residency options in the UAE, the time is now. The UAE government has expanded the eligibility criteria for long-term visas beginning in April 2022. The Golden Visa allows qualified residents to stay in the UAE for 10 years while sponsoring their spouses, children, and support personnel. But that’s not all.
In this blog, we look at all of the UAE’s residency visas, including information on their process, the cost of applying for one, which is the cheapest residence visa in UAE, and other relevant information.
What Is a UAE Residency Visa?
A resident visa is issued to a person who enters the country with an entry permit and is already in the country. It allows you to live and work legally in the country for a long period. When your entry permit expires, you must leave the country to avoid fines and penalties. If you want to continue living in the UAE, you must renew your visas regularly.
Overstaying visas are subject to a daily fee of Dh100, which begins 10 days after the visa’s expiration date. Furthermore, the new Gold Card immigration process, which started on May 21, 2022, is especially intended for investors and gifted individuals. In the first year of this project, 6,800 people from 70 countries are determined to be eligible to invest a total of Dh100 billion. These numbers convey the UAE government’s continuous attempts to ensure its residents’ personal and professional growth, making a UAE residency visa one of the most sought-after visas globally.
Who Will Sponsor Your UAE Resident Visa?
A sponsor is required for a residency visa in the UAE. Depending on your residence visa type, these sponsors could change. You might, however, serve as your sponsor in specific circumstances. The following people will be your sponsors:
- You can apply if you have investments or property, and your business or property will sponsor you.
- For a family visa, a relative will serve as your sponsor.
Who Is Eligible for a UAE Residence Visa?
For a UAE residence visa, you must fall under one of the following categories:
- You work for a state organisation or a private company in the UAE.
- You’ve bought a home in the UAE.
- You’ll attend a school in the UAE.
- You’ll spend your golden years (retirement years) in the UAE.
- You are a dependent of a foreign or UAE national (child, parent, maid, or a close relative)
What Are the Benefits of Having a Residence Visa in the UAE?
A UAE residency visa has a tonne of benefits, some of which include the following:
- A resident visa guarantees your ability to stay in the United Arab Emirates. You can also contact the relevant governing authority and request an extension on your visa.
- Another advantage of having a residence visa in the UAE is the ability to sponsor your immediate family members. As a result, you can ensure the presence of your spouse, children, and parents.
- A resident visa simplifies travel within the various Emirates. Furthermore, it streamlines visa application processes in all GCC regions.
What Is the Process for Obtaining a Residence Visa in the UAE?
The following information contains the application procedure for a resident visa in the UAE in 2025:
1. Apply for an Entry Permit
Your sponsor must obtain an admission permit from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship via the Internet. It is also available on the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs’ website (GDRFA). You can also do this in person at one of the authorised GDRFA locations.
2. Background Checks and Issuance of Entry Permits
Once you have provided your information and personal documents and paid the visa fees, your request, or file as it is known in the UAE, is sent to the immigration authorities for review by the regulatory body.
Your information is then sent to CID, the Criminal Investigation Department. The body conducts a background check to ensure you are not a threat. When your background is checked, and your application is approved, you will be given an exclusive document known as an entry permit.
3. Identification Verification and Medical Examination
You have 60 days after entering the UAE with the entry permit to create an Emirates ID by visiting an Emirates ID service site and providing a few required documents.
You must also pass a required medical examination. You can obtain a certificate of good health that attests to your good health, allowing you to apply for a residency permit in the UAE. For this, you must go to a government hospital.
4. Obtain the Final Visa Stamp
After completing all the preceding steps, you’ll need to have your UAE resident visa officially stamped. However, applicants must visit an authorised facility before the visa stamping procedure.
Following receipt of your application, the Immigration Department will send an SMS notification of approval or refusal to the registered contact information you provided.
What Documentation Is Required to Apply for a Residence Visa in Dubai?
The following papers must be submitted to apply for a resident visa in Dubai:
- A copy of your passport
- Passport-size photographs
- A copy of your entry visa
You might need to provide further documentation, depending on the type of your resident visa. You can get assistance from the specialists at the Shuraa UK Branch.
What Is the Cost of a UAE Residency Visa?
The cheapest residence visa in the UAE typically costs around AED 3,990*. The 2-year residence visa in Dubai cost without insurance is around AED 3,500* with medical insurance AED 6,000*.
Our professionals can assist you with the residence visa cost in the UAE. They will thoroughly review your resident visa criteria and the necessary documentation before determining the charge.
Please note that these are just estimated costs and are subject to change. Get in touch with our business setup expert to know the exact UAE visa cost.
Partner With Shuraa UK for a Resident Visa in the UAE
In the UAE, both day and night can be pretty fun. So, what are you waiting for now that you’ve learned everything there is to know about residence visa costs in the UAE? Although the process is simple, we recommend you seek professional assistance to avoid mistakes in the documentation.
Shuraa UK Branch experts will guide you through the entire process and compile all the necessary paperwork for the residence visa cost in the UAE. Furthermore, we will obtain all necessary permissions and clearances on your behalf. Call us and tell us what you require, and we’ll handle the rest.
