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How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Dubai?
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If you need to relocate workers to the United Arab Emirates, you will need to apply for a two-year residence permit on their behalf. The UAE residence permit visa process requires two sets of applications: one for an entry permit and another for the residence permit itself. Due to the challenging nature of the visa application, it is often best to outsource to experienced immigration service providers like World Company Setup.
Relocating foreign talent to the UAE typically involves applying for the standard work visa. As the employer, this task falls on your shoulders.
You can manage the Dubai Residence Permit Visa process yourself or outsource it to an immigration service provider. Using a provider is the better option if you do not have the in-house expertise to support the application or feel you would benefit from extra guidance.
If you prefer to handle the Visa for a Dubai Residence Permit yourself, our guide will walk you through the key steps involved.
There are two main types of Dubai residence permit visas for employees: the standard work visa and the Golden visa.
Most foreign nationals apply for the standard work visa, which lasts for two years. Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years old. They also need the relevant academic qualifications: a degree certificate for skilled jobs and a high school diploma or its equivalent in their home country for unskilled ones.
As their sponsor, you must have a valid license for your company and proof of an official job offer.
Note that companies operating in one of the UAE's 46 free zones have a visa quota. They can only sponsor a certain number of foreign workers at one time and must receive approval.
You will need various documents at different stages of the visa application process. Here is a list of all the documents you should prepare or request from your employee:
UAE Immigration requires you to attest all documents and have them translated into Arabic using a professional service. If your employee is applying from outside the country, you can arrange for counter-attestation through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can obtain translations from the worker’s nearest embassy.
Before your employee enters the UAE, you may need to apply for an entry permit on their behalf.
Employees from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are exempt as long as they can provide and present an official ID document upon arrival in the UAE. This means you do not need to obtain an entry visa for citizens of the following countries:
For all other nationalities, you must apply for an entry permit online through the official government portals. The process is as follows:
Note that after you make this application, your employee must enter the UAE within 59 days and has six months to complete the residency permit process.
As World Company Setup is already a legal entity in the UAE, we are able to hire and sponsor workers on behalf of global companies. Our immigration team has the expertise to overcome all hurdles of the visa process and meet the deadlines.
Visa applicants need a medical report from a hospital with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) accreditation for their residence permit application. They need to book an appointment at a center to undergo X-rays and blood tests for communicable diseases.
Following the medical check, the hospital will send the results directly to the Emirati immigration authorities within two days.
Before applying for the Dubai Residence permit, the worker must obtain their Emirates ID card. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) is responsible for their issuance. They will send you an ID application form within one to three days of your medical appointment.
After applying for the ID, you are ready to enroll your employee in a health insurance plan. Health insurance is mandatory in the UAE, and many Emirates require employers to add their employees to a company plan. Check the minimum requirements for your company’s location to see if the benefits you offer are compliant.
It will take the immigration office as little as 48 hours to process your application. Upon approval, the employee should receive their UAE ID card within two weeks.
Your employee’s residence permit status lasts for up to two years, with the option to renew. If they have a Golden Visa, this period extends up to ten years. Upon renewal, they will need to repeat some steps of the visa process, including medical checks and residence permit application forms.
Navigating the visa process is now easy with World Company Setup. Our HR, payroll, and immigration services can provide your team with essential support as you relocate talent.
With World Company Setup, you can:
Disclaimer: Please note that this article is not a substitute for legal advice. Please always check official websites or seek legal advice before taking action.
When answering the question of how to obtain a Dubai residence permit, please note that it will take up to 48 hours for the Immigration Office to process your application. If approved, the employee must obtain their UAE Dubai ID card within two weeks. Your employee's residence permit status is valid for up to two years, with the option to renew. If they have a Golden Visa, this period can be extended up to ten years. After renewal, they will need to repeat certain steps of the visa process, including medical checks and submitting the residence permit application form.
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