The most common type of long-term residence visa issued is the UAE Investor Visa, which requires that the applicant invests a substantial amount of money in UAE to qualify.

Who qualifies for a UAE Long-Term Residence Visa?

There are two types of Long-Term Residence Visas for the UAE, which both have their own requirements and eligibility criteria.

10-year UAE long-term residence visa

You’re eligible for the 10-year UAE long-term residence visa if you fall under one of the following categories:

• You invest at least AED 10 million in the public sector (UAE Investor Visa – see below)
• You are a person with a specialized talent, such as a doctor, scientist, inventor, specialist, or of special talent in the field of culture and art; medical doctors, as well as engineers of computer programming, electronics, electrical and biotechnology.

5-year UAE long-term residence visa

You’re eligible for a 5-year UAE long-term residence visa if you fall under one of the following categories:

• You invest in a property in the UAE (UAE Investor Visa also known as the Property Visa UAE)
• You are an entrepreneur with an existing project which has a minimum capital of AED 500,000
• You are an outstanding student who has:
  • A minimum grade of 95% in a public or private secondary school
  • A GPA of at least 3.75 in a university in or outside the country after you graduate

online since information keeps changing. Make sure to know all you need before you apply or invest.

What do I need when applying for a UAE long-term residence visa?

When applying for a AE long-term residence visa, you must have several documents which support your purpose of application.

When you apply for the entry permit, you need documents such as:

• Copy of your passport
• Passport-size pictures
• Bank Statement for the past 6 months
• Any additional documents related to your purpose:
  • Company Trade License Copy
  • Copy of Partnership Contract (if applicable)
  • ID of other partners (if applicable)
  • A copy of the Memorandum of Association (for LLC)
  • Proof of accreditation by the relevant UAE authority (for specialized talents)
  • Proof of patent (for investors)

When applying for the long-term residence visa once you’re in the UAE, you need the following documents:

• Your entry permit
• Medical test
• Passport
• Pictures
• Immigration Establishment Card
• Any documents related to your purpose of travel

Keep in mind: This is not a complete list of documents. The required documents differ for each case, and you may also need to obtain approval from the UAE authorities prior to applying for the visa. Additionally, due to the more sensitive nature of this visa, you may also need to get the help of an attorney or other authorized legal entity.

How to get a UAE Investor Visa?

To get an Investor Visa in Dubai or anywhere else in the UAE, you must invest at least AED 10 million in the public sector in UAE or invest at least AED 5 million in a property.

Investing in the public sector (10 year visa for UAE)

To get a 10 year UAE visa by investment, you must invest at least AED 10 million in the public sector in the country. This includes:

• Making a deposit in an investment fund
• Setting up a new company in the UAE, whose capital is at least AED 10 million
• Becoming a partner in an existing company, provided that your shares are not less than AED 10 million

Additionally, when you invest the money, you must make sure that:

• It is not loaned
• You maintain the investment for at least three years

Buying property (5 year visa for UAE)

You may also get a long-term visa for the UAE by investing in a property which has a gross value of at least AED 5 million. The money you invest cannot be loaned from someone, and you have to maintain it for at least three years.

10 year UAE visa for persons with specialised talents

You may also get a UAE visa for the UAE if you have a specialized talent. For example, if you are a doctor, investor, specialist, scientist, or you have a talent in the field of culture and art. However, the 10 year visa for the UAE for persons with specialised talents is subject to the following conditions:

• For scientists: You must be accredited by the Emirates Scientists Council or hold a Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence.
• For artists: You must be accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.
• For inventors: You must have a patent of value (accredited by the Ministry of Economy), which is beneficial to the UAE’s economy.
• For doctors and specialists: You must fulfill at least one of the following conditions:
  • You hold a PhD degree issued by one of the top 500 universities in the world
  • You have a PhD degree and 10-year professional experience in your field
  • You have an award or certificate of appreciation related to your field
  • You are a member of an organization related to your field
  • You have published articles or scientific books in renowned publications related to your field
  • You have specialized in an area that’s of priority to the UAE
• For executives: You are the head of a leading and internationally recognized company
• For otherwise exceptional talents: You must have a scientific research that’s been published in a world-class journal or you must have a patent

Can I take my spouse and children with a UAE Investor Visa?

Yes, if you have an Investor Visa for UAE, you are allowed to bring your family members with you, such as your spouse and children. Additionally, the visa can be extended to include one executive director and one advisor.

Can I have a business partner with a UAE Investor Visa?

Yes, multiple business partners can apply under a single UAE Investor Visa. However, that doesn’t mean that you can split the investment multiple ways: each business partner must invest their own AED 10 million.

How to apply for a UAE Investor Visa?

Usually, all foreigners applying for a visa for the UAE have to be sponsored by someone in the UAE, such as their employer (for work visa) or school (for student visa). However, in the case of long-term residence visa for the UAE, you can apply yourself, without the need for a sponsor.

• For UAE Investor Visa, the registered company serves as your sponsor
• For UAE Property Visa, the property you purchase or invest in serves as your sponsor

Applying for the entry permit

Before you apply for a Residence Visa, you must first get a UAE Entry Permit, which is issued for multiple entries and for a duration of six months. You can apply for an Entry Permit online:

• For UAE Investor Visa
• UAE Visa for Entrepreneurs \ Special Students
• UAE Visa for otherwise talented persons

Once you enter the UAE with an entry permit, you have to go to the relevant visa issuing authorities in the UAE and request the long-term Residence Visa.

Applying for the Residence Visa

UAE Residence Visa applications are issued in the UAE at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of the relevant emirate in which you will live.

The websites of the GDRFA in each emirate:

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai (see also Amer, a website which Dubai citizens and residents can use to apply for family reunion and visitors can use to extend their Visa On Arrival)
• Sharjah
• Ajman
• Ras Al Khaimah
• Fujairah

You must enter a medical test to prove your medical fitness before applying for the residence visa.

Note: Because the Investor Visa for the UAE is a different category than regular visas, you may need to hire an attorney or legal representative to help you with the process, as well as to find investment opportunities in the UAE. Additionally, the Investor Visa is a relatively new visa, and as such there is contradicting information

How to get an Investor Visa in Dubai?

Foreign nationals who want to settle in the emirate of Dubai, have to apply for an Investor Visa for Dubai. Since Dubai is simply one of the emirates making up the country of the UAE, the application process for an Investor Visa for Dubai is the same as detailed above. The only difference is, of course, that you will apply directly to the GDRFA offices in Dubai, not in another emirate, such as Abu Dhabi.

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Dubai, like many countries, has joined the wagon of digital nomad visas. Dubai’s digital nomad visa is called “Work Remotely from Dubai.” Through its Work Remotely from Dubai program, Dubai has been welcoming remote workers and digital nomads since March 2021.

This article will show in more detail what Dubai’s digital nomad visa scheme offers.

Benefits of Working as a Digital Nomad in Dubai

Working as a digital nomad in Dubai under the Work Remotely from Dubai program has the following benefits:

• Tax-free. As a digital nomad in Dubai, you are not imposed to pay income tax, capital gain tax, withholding tax, and local taxes. However, you are expected to pay taxes back home, but you do not need to prove it.
• High healthcare system. Dubai offers a top-notch healthcare system with state-of-the-art facilities and a high standard of medical care. Health services in Dubai are administered by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), which oversees both public and private services. Many foreigners choose the private healthcare system. There are more than 130 facilities you can choose from in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) alone, a modern medical complex offering advanced private health care across 150 specialties.
• Access to facilities. The Emirates ID will be given to applicant holders when they receive their visas and arrive in the UAE. The Emirates ID is a document that can be used for many things in their daily lives. By having the ID, you will have access to many services, such as banking, phone lines, housing rentals, and, if you have children, the ability to enroll them in local schools.
• Fast internet connection. The internet speed fixed is 189.27 Mbps, and the mobile connection is 273.87 Mbps. There will likely be no issues with your wifi in the UAE since the majority of accommodations for foreigners have speeds of over 100 Mbps. It will be enough for browsing and Zoom calls on a daily basis, as well as heavy streaming. Furthermore, the 4G network is excellent.

Requirements for Dubai Digital Nomad Visa

The documents required to apply for a digital nomad visa in Dubai are:

• Online filled visa application form. You can fill out the application form from the official website of Work Remotely from Dubai.
• Valid passport. Your passport needs to be valid at least for six months.
• Digital passport photo. Your passport photo needs to be with dimensions 45mm/35mm and white background.
• Accommodation reservation. You will need either a hotel booking, a lease, or a rental agreement to confirm your accommodation.
• Medical insurance. You need medical insurance designed for digital nomads and remote workers who are living abroad to travel to Dubai. Health insurance must have UAE coverage validity.
• Documents for business owners:
  • Proof of ownership of the company for one year or more
  • Minimum of $5.000 monthly income
  • Bank statements for the last three months
• Documents for employees:
  • Proof of employment with one year contract
  • Last month’s payslip
  • Minimum of $5.000 salary per month
  • Bank statements for the last three months

How to Apply for a Dubai Digital Nomad Visa?

You must apply for a Dubai digital nomad visa online through the official Work Remotely from Dubai website. The application process is as follows:

1. Prepare the necessary documents. The list of the documents is under “Requirements for Dubai Digital Nomad Visa” above. The documents need to be in English and digitized.
2. Proceed to the official website. On the official website of Work Remotely from Dubai, you can apply for the program. There you have to complete a short application form with information about yourself, such as your name, email address, country, and telephone number. A member of their team will be in touch with you to take the application forward.
3. Wait for the response. An email will be sent to you after submission. There will be further instructions therefore read them carefully.
4. Send the documents. After the email, you will have to send the required documents to workvirtual@dubaitourism.ae. The documents are in the section “Requirements for Dubai Digital Nomad Visa”. The documents and the application will be reviewed by Dubai Tourism and commercial marketing travel partner Al Rais Travel Agencies LLC.
5. Wait for a reply. You will be given an email stating the payment instructions and the amount.
6. Pay the fees. The cost of the Dubai digital nomad visa is $611. This amount includes the application fee of $287 and other processing charges, medical insurance premium, and Emirates ID. Once you fill out your credit card information, you will receive an email welcoming you to Dubai.
7. Arrange a medical visit. This step can be done after traveling to Dubai, but it may be helpful to do it before flying to Dubai.
8. Travel to Dubai. After your visa is granted, you can travel to Dubai.
9. Go to the medical appointment. You have about a month to go to the medical appointment. Your results will be out in two weeks’ time.
10. Go to the biometrics office. After getting the medical results, you will be given a list of offices to do biometrics and complete an application form. Then print the medical results and the application form and go to one of the biometrics offices.
11. Get a passport stamp. You will get a call stating that your passport needs to be taken to be stamped. This process will take a day.
12. Get the residency card. An SMS should be sent to you by the government informing you that your residence card is waiting at a post office. Go get the residency card and live in Dubai for a year.

Additionally, depending on your nationality, you might need a visa to enter Dubai.

Note: You can enter Dubai with a tourist visa and then apply for a digital nomad visa, but the fees may differ.

How Much Does the Dubai Digital Nomad Visa Cost?

The cost of the Dubai digital nomad visa is $611. This amount includes the application fee of $287 and other processing charges, medical insurance premium, and Emirates ID.

Note: There is no guarantee that the visa will be approved just because you paid the processing fee. It is possible to incur additional charges depending on your country of citizenship country, the nature of the services requested, and other factors.

Processing Time For A Digital Nomad Visa in Dubai

The processing time for a digital nomad visa in Dubai is from thirty days up to sixty days.

How Long Can I Work in Dubai as a Digital Nomad?

The validity of the Dubai digital nomad visa is one year, renewable upon re-application.

Paying Taxes as a Digital Nomad in Dubai

Individuals in the UAE are not subject to income tax. Oil companies and foreign banks, however, are subject to corporate taxes. In addition, specific goods that are harmful to human health or the environment are taxed under excise taxes. Finally, a majority of goods and services are subject to Value Added Tax.

As a digital nomad in Dubai, you are not imposed to pay income tax, capital gain tax, withholding tax, and local taxes. However, you are expected to pay taxes back home, but you do not need to prove it.

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