Visas and residency in the UAE

It depends on the category: there is no single duration. The Golden Visa is long-term, 5 or 10 years depending on the category set by ICP, and does not require a sponsor; the others vary. All of them require renewal and none renews automatically: we keep track of the calendar.

Some simple applications can be completed in a few days once the requirements are met, but we do not give a fixed maximum: it depends on the category, the documentation and the authority involved. We confirm the timeframe for your case in writing before we start.

Yes. The main holder's residence visa allows them to sponsor a spouse and children and, in certain cases, other family members and employed staff. Each person has their own application, with specific documentation and requirements that we review before starting it.

It is a long-term residence visa reserved for profiles that meet specific investment, talent or professional qualification requirements. The main difference from a standard residence visa is its duration and the fact that it does not depend on a company sponsor. It is not a general route: it is assessed case by case before anything is started.

In practice, the residence visa and the Emirates ID are what unlock most personal banking processes. That is why we treat them as a single chain rather than as separate procedures: if the Emirates ID is delayed, the bank is delayed behind it.

No. They are two different things: residency is an immigration permit, and tax residency is determined by other criteria, which affect what you declare and where. It is one of the most costly misunderstandings, and it is best resolved before you move, not after.

There are deadlines and consequences for overstaying, so the first thing is not to reach that point: the expiry date is monitored in advance. If it has already expired, regularisation is assessed according to how much time has passed and what your situation is.

Not for all of it, but you do need to be here for specific milestones such as the medical test and biometric registration. We group them into a single trip whenever the schedule allows.

It is the official identity document for UAE residents, issued by the identity authority. It is linked to the residency file and is used in many administrative, banking and identification procedures.

In many categories the process can be started from outside the country through an entry permit or an equivalent procedure, and the relevant stages, such as the medical test or biometrics, are then completed inside the country. It depends on the type of residency and the emirate.

A tourist visa authorises a temporary stay and is not equivalent to residency. A residence visa is obtained under a specific category (employment, investment, partner, family, Golden, Green, property, etc.) and allows you to obtain an Emirates ID and carry out the procedures associated with being a resident.

In certain cases a change of status may be carried out without leaving the country, subject to the category, the authority and the immigration status. We first review the file and the applicable route.

The investor or partner visa is based on a shareholding or business investment; the employment visa is based on an employment relationship and sponsorship by the employer. The requirements, documents, cost and responsibilities are different.

It is a residence visa linked to being a shareholder or investor in a company, where the structure and the shareholding meet the applicable conditions. The authority may use different categories and names depending on the emirate and the type of residency.

The Golden Visa covers different categories, including certain investors, entrepreneurs, specialised talents, scientists, outstanding students and other categories recognised by ICP/GDRFA. Each one has its own criteria.

It depends on the category. For example, for the Dubai real estate Golden Visa, DLD publishes a minimum purchase value of AED 2 million, subject to its conditions. The talent, entrepreneur and business investor categories have different requirements. We always review the correct category first.

Yes, it may be possible under the family sponsorship rules, but there are documentary, financial solvency, insurance and residency requirements that must be reviewed according to the sponsor and the authority.

Yes, if the trade licence, visa allocation and establishment allow hiring, and the applicable labour and immigration procedures are followed. The number of visas may depend on the package, office, activity and authority.

It depends on the category, the jurisdiction and the type of sponsorship. I would not publish a single duration, because there are residence visas with different periods of validity. We confirm the duration before processing the application.

It depends on the category and the emirate. For standard residence visas, an absence of more than 180 days may require a permit or affect the residency. ICP has a specific procedure for residents who have been outside the UAE for more than six months, but that federal service does not apply to Dubai residents. GDRFA expressly confirms that Golden Visa holders are exempt from the 180-day rule. For other categories, it is advisable to review the specific file before travelling for extended periods.

Yes. We handle residence visa cancellations and, where applicable, we also coordinate the labour cancellation, dependants and other related steps.

It depends on the procedure. For dependants or certain processes, marriage and birth certificates, academic qualifications, powers of attorney or other legalised/attested documents may be required. We confirm exactly which document needs legalisation and through which chain of legalisation.

No. Residency and the Emirates ID help to meet identification requirements, but approval of an account always depends on the bank's KYC/compliance policies and the client's profile.