Free Zone

One of the first questions people have about getting a UAE residence visa is where they’re able to live under their new visa. The good news is that they can live in any Emirate they like!

Whether you obtain a UAE visa in Dubai or a different Emirate, you’re allowed to rent an apartment and settle down in any location you like. There are no restrictions on where in the UAE you’re allowed to live.

What’s important to note is that you can only get a driver’s license in the Emirate where your visa was issued. That means if you opened a business in Dubai, you’ll need to acquire a Dubai driver’s license.

Speaking of Dubai, many people choose to settle in this Emirate because of the amazing entertainment and infrastructure there. However, if you want to live in Dubai you should note that residency is a little more expensive in this area.

Getting a UAE residence visa is very simple. If you’re planning to get a visa by establishing a mainland company you’ll need to follow this process:

1. Register your company
2. Get an establishment card
3. Receive your entry permit
4. Apply for an Emirates ID
5. Take your required medical tests
6. Stamp your passport with your UAE visa

One of the great things about getting a UAE visa is that you can get the process completed from your home country. The only parts of the process that you’ll need to complete in the UAE are the medical exams and the passport stamping.

It’s important to note that these two processes typically take about five business days. You won’t be able to leave the country until the process is complete, so make sure to plan accordingly.

Becoming a UAE resident will cost different amounts of money depending on what type of visa you have and where your business is registered.

For example, the lowest visa fees apply to the northern Emirates of Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman.

If you want to start a business in Dubai you’ll need to pay slightly higher fees. This is due to higher business registration costs as well as mandatory health insurance coverage.

There are many benefits to becoming one of the 8.84 million ex-pats living in the UAE.

For one, you’re able to easily visit this country without having to worry about constantly applying for tourist visas. This is especially true for countries that are not immediately eligible for tourist visas in the UAE.

Additionally, it makes it easy for you to acquire a bank account in Dubai. This can be a game-changer for investors and corporations looking to expand operations to the UAE.

Once you have your residence visa, you’ll need to keep your visa valid. Luckily, this is pretty easy.

All you need to do is make sure that you enter the UAE once every six months. If you don’t fulfil this requirement, you’ll be required to reapply for a visa.

Once your visa expires, you’ll need to renew it in order to legally remain in the UAE. This process is much simpler than getting your original visa.

To renew your visa, you’ll need to get a medical checkup at a screening centre roughly 1-2 weeks prior to the date your visa expires. At the appointment, you’ll be required to take several tests.

Once you have your medical results, send the report to the immigration office along with your passport. The immigration office will stamp your passport and you’ll be able to stay in the UAE for another period!

So, you’ve got your residence visa and you want to stay even longer in the UAE. Good move!

Thanks to a new initiative from the government of the UAE, you’re now able to apply for either a 5-year or 10-year visa. To get a longer-term residence visa, you’ll need to fall into one of two categories:

• A high-value investor
• Talented researchers or professionals

A high-value investor is considered someone who invests between 5 and 10 million AED in real estate, business, or investment funds. A talented professional is considered someone who can prove their value in the fields of art, medicine, or science.

If you fall into one of the new categories, you can apply for your UAE visa. That will allow you to stay in the country for a longer period of time before you need to renew your visa.

While most people who move to the UAE choose to live there permanently, there are reasons why you might want to cancel your visa. Cancelling your visa is a fairly straightforward process.

Typically, to initiate the visa cancellation process, your visa sponsor will need to apply for cancellation. Your sponsor could be:

• Your business
• Your employer
• Your parent
• Your spouse
• A government authority

Each person who cancels a visa will need to fill out certain paperwork. Depending on who sponsored your visa, you may or may not be eligible for health and salary benefits.

It’s also important to note that there are a few rules that apply to cancelling a UAE visa. These will vary based on whether you are cancelling the visa while inside the UAE or while in a different country.

Cancelling a visa in the UAE is the easiest way to remove your residency status. To cancel your visa while staying in the UAE, all you need to do is send your passport to the issuing authority.

From there, you’ll need to wait until the visa is cancelled. This typically takes several days to a few weeks.

If you want to cancel your UAE visa while residing outside the UAE, the process works a little bit differently.

For starters, you’ll need to make sure that you have been living outside the UAE for more than six months. After you have met this requirement, you will not be required to send your passport to the UAE in order to cancel the visa.

If you choose to cancel your visa and have been living outside the UAE for fewer than six months, you’ll need to send your passport to the UAE. You can also hire a company to help you navigate the process.

Once you’ve determined how to cancel your visa, you’re ready to start the process. Remember that the visa must be cancelled by the issuing authority.

There are a few different authorities that issue visas. These authorities include:

• Free Zones
• GDRFAD for Dubai Mainland Visas

Once you’ve determined the correct authority for cancelling your visa, you have three different options for how to go about the process. These methods include:

• Using the ICA or GDRFAD online services
• Visiting an approved typing centre
• Using the GDRFAD or ICA mobile app

Remember, you can only use these methods to cancel a Mainland visa. Free zone visas must be cancelled by visiting the issuing authority rather than the government’s special services.

Here’s how to navigate cancelling a visa in each of these different ways.

To get started, you’ll need to visit the GDRFAD online portal. From there, click on “Cancellation of residency visa.”

The portal will take you to a new page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Start service.”

This will open an individual login page. You’ll be prompted to provide your personal details and documentation.

Complete the form by carefully reading the instructions. At the end of the process, you’ll either receive a phone call or an email verifying the completion of your application.

If you’d prefer to cancel your UAE residence visa by visiting a typing centre, you can do so by gathering all the necessary documents.

From there, head to the nearest approved typing centre. At the centre, the agents will provide you with and assist you in filling out the required forms.

You will need to hand over any requested documents to the agents. At that point, the centre will take care of the rest of the process and you are able to move forward with your visa cancellation.

One of the easiest ways to cancel a UAE visa is using the GDRFAD or ICA mobile application. To cancel your visa this way, you’ll start by downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Next, open the application. You’ll be prompted to log in using your personal information and documentation.

Once you’ve successfully logged into the app, navigate to the service categories. Select “Cancellation of residence visa.” If you can’t find it, use the search bar at the bottom of the app’s home screen to find it.

From here, simply follow the directions until you complete the process. You’ll be notified by phone or email once the application has been successfully submitted.

Here is a breif outline of company registration in Dubai

1. Determine the business activity of your company
2. Work out if you need a local sponsor or not. (You will not need a local sponsor in free zones, but you will in mainland Dubai)
3. Decide on a company structure for your new business
4. Determine the trade name of your new business
5. Gain initial approvals and external permits
6. Decide on an office space to run your business from
7. Finalise all fees associated with company registration
8. Receive your trade licence

These tasks may sound like hard work—and indeed it can be—but for us, not for you. Etika’s comprehensive services mean you don’t have to give a second thought to the mechanics of the business setup process. Once it is underway, simply supply us with the relevant information about your company and we’ll do the rest.

Getting a UAE residence visa is a great move if you’re looking to call this beautiful country home. And, by following the steps outlined in this guide, it’s fairly straightforward for you to get your visa!

Are you ready to get set up with a residency visa and become a UAE resident?? Get in touch with our team and we’ll help make your dreams a reality!