Ready to make a permanent move to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the vibrant and futuristic Dubai, in particular? You’ll need a visa first.
From securing a job offer to undergoing mandatory medical examinations, learn how to get a Dubai visa from the relocation experts at EEE Middle East.
Step-by-step guide: How to apply for Dubai visa from the UK
Determine the type of visa you need
Standard work visa: For in-house, salaried employees
The most common way to apply for a Dubai visa is to secure a job offer from a company that’s based in the UAE.
Once you’ve secured an offer of employment, you’ll be eligible for an employer-sponsored work visa that’s valid for two years – known as the standard work visa.
Golden visa: For ‘desirable’ or high-net-worth (HNW) individuals
To be eligible for the Golden visa using our expert guidance and international relocation services, you must qualify under one of the following three categories:
- Professional – Living and working in the UAE for the same company for two years
- Property – Property value must be AED 2 million (approximately £399,100) or more per person.
- Fixed deposit – AED 2 million in fixed deposit with a local bank
Once granted, the Golden visa offers long-term UAE residency, and permits the holder to sponsor dependents and unlimited domestic workers.
It also allows travel of up to 12 consecutive months outside the country without affecting visa validity.
Eligibility criteria may vary between emirates and visa types.
Confused about the differences between Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s requirements?
Our relocation specialists at EER Middle East have deep knowledge of the Golden Visa process across all emirates.
We’ll help you understand your options, compare routes, and select the most suitable pathway for your situation.
Find out more about how we can help!
Retirement visa: For individuals aged at least 55 and ready to retire
Lasting five years and available for expat individuals, aged 55 years or older, who are ready to retire from work, the UAE Retirement visa is eligible via:
- Property investment – Property purchased to the value of at least AED 1 million (roughly £200,300)
- Fixed deposit – AED 1 million savings in a three-year fixed deposit
- Salary – Sustainable monthly income of at least AED 15,000 (around £3,000)
Struggling to identify the most suitable pathway to obtaining a Retirement visa?
EER Middle East’s experienced team can explain the different categories, highlighting both their benefits and areas to consider, in line with your personal and financial circumstances.
Why not arrange your tailored assessment with our expert team today?
Tourist and Virtual Work visa: Alternative visa options
While tourist and virtual work visas also exist and can be used to visit Dubai before securing a job position, they come with restrictions and are only designed for short-term stays – not residency.
You can check your Dubai visa eligibility here.
Start the application process and apply for entry permit, if required
Once you’ve determined the type of visa you require and possess all the necessary documents, you can start the application process (which varies depending on the visa you’re applying for).
In some cases, you’ll need an entry permit (also known as an eVisa) before you can legally enter Dubai and start the application process.
This permit is valid for around 60 days, giving you plenty of time to complete the process.
Standard work visa applicants
Employers of the individuals seeking a standard work visa will have their application handled by their employer.
They’ll contact the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) to obtain an initial work permit and entry permit to allow you to legally enter the UAE and start processing your visa.
Golden visa applicants
As this type of visa is self-sponsored, Golden visa applicants must apply online via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.
Alternatively, authorised legal representatives or trusted agents, like EER Middle East, can handle such applications, saving applicants valuable time.
Retirement visa applicants
The Retirement visa is also self-sponsored, meaning applicants must head online to the GDRFA website where they’ll need to submit documents to certify their age, income, investments, and savings.
From here, you’ll be granted an entry permit first, allowing you to enter Dubai to start your Retirement visa application and remain there until it’s issued.
Gather the relevant documents
Depending on the type of Dubai visa you require, you may need a substantial list of documents, including:
- A passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival)
- A coloured passport-size photo with white background
- A signed work contract
- A certificate of sponsorship
- Academic certificates
- A medical fitness certificate
- Proof of funds
- Proof of English proficiency
- Entry permit
- A copy of the sponsor’s passport with valid residence permit
- Emirates ID Application receipt
- Housing lease contract (certified) or proof of owning a residence
- Medical insurance or health card
Undergo a medical fitness test
To gain residency into the UAE, and therefore Dubai, every individual aged 18 and above must undergo a mandatory medical examination to assess their health and fitness.
Regardless of whether they want to work, study, or retire in the UAE, they must be free from all forms of contagious diseases.
Individuals must visit dedicated medical fitness centres where they’ll need to take a liver function test and be screened for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C. Chest x-rays are also necessary for all applicants, while women must take an additional blood test to detect pregnancy.
Once you’ve successfully passed these tests, you’ll be awarded with a Medical Fitness Certificate (MFC) to prove your good health.
Obtain an Emirates ID card
Once your visa application has been approved and you’ve supplied the biometrics for your Emirates ID, you’ll be issued an Emirates ID Card – a mandatory identification card for all citizens and residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
More than just a formality, this card can be used to help you access government services, vote in elections, and use e-gates at UAE airports.
Residence visa passport stamping
Finally, you must submit your passport to GDRFA, so the residence visa sticker can be physically stamped inside.
This confirms your legal residency in Dubai for the duration of the visa – usually two years, five years, or 10 years, depending on your visa type.
Can you see yourself in Dubai?
If you can picture yourself in the warm and luxurious climes of modern Dubai, why not allow the talented team at EER Middle East to make this dream a reality?
With years of invaluable experience relocating businesses and individual assignees to Dubai, our on-the-ground team has the expertise, knowledge, and dedication to handle every aspect of your move.
From taking care of the immigration process (that includes booking flights and securing employment visas) to ensuring corporate compliance during company setup, we’ll take care of every aspect of your Dubai relocation.
To discuss your specific relocation or immigration requirements, please feel free to speak to our professional team today.
Call: +971 (0)4 421 1819
Email: info@eerme.com
