Are you thinking about moving to Dubai? The second-largest emirate in the UAE is a multicultural metropolis that welcomes emigrants from all over the world. If you want to make this city your new home, it makes sense to find out what it’s like to live here, including detailed information about moving, applying for a visa, finding housing and work, opening bank accounts, cost of living, and much more. In our article, we answer all this and much more, delving into an exhaustive list of questions frequently asked to the largest construction companies in Dubai about moving to this sunny metropolis.

What types of visas and entry permits are there?

So, different visas give different opportunities. The UAE government issues various types of visas and entry permits.

A work visa is issued to those who have signed an employment contract with a company registered in Dubai.
Business visa. Foreign entrepreneurs who want to obtain a long-term visa for themselves and/or their dependents can apply for a UAE business visa, “Golden Visa”, which offers residence in the country for 5 to 10 years.
An investor visa is granted only to those overseas citizens who either plan to invest AED 72,000 in an existing company, or create a company for the same amount. It is valid for only 3 years and is also known as the Dubai Partner Visa.
A student visa is granted to international students over 18. Outstanding students with at least 95% academic achievement or a 3.75 grade point average can get a 5-year student visa to Dubai. It is valid for one year. It can be extended while the student continues his studies. To apply for a student visa, you will have to carry out some mandatory processes. So, the necessary steps are to get the approval of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), pass a medical check-up of the body and provide sponsorship from parents / relatives or the university.
Dependent visa. If your spouse, parents or children have a valid residence permit, you are eligible for a dependent visa. Men who want to bring their spouses to the emirate should receive a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 with accommodation. People who want to sponsor their parents must have a minimum salary of AED 20,000 in accordance with government policy.

Women can also sponsor their families if they receive a monthly salary of AED 10,000 or AED 8,000. They also need a special permit from the Department of Naturalization and Residence Dubai (DNRD).

A freelancer visa is granted to independent professionals. You can apply for a freelancer visa if you want to work independently in education, media or technology. Popular freehold zones, including Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, and Dubai Knowledge Park, offer visas for freelancers at different rates.
A green visa is a new type of residence visa. Holders can work in the UAE for 5 years without employer sponsorship. Freelancers, skilled workers, and investors/partners are eligible for this visa.

What documents are required to obtain a visa?

While your sponsor is processing a visa for you, here is a list of documents for applying:

Send a copy of your passport, photos, and educational documents certified by the UAE Embassy in your country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) to apply for a residence visa.
Provide a passport, photos, and acceptance letter from the UAE educational institution to apply for a student visa.

Please note that the UAE has recently launched a “Green Visa” in Dubai, which will allow foreign workers to work without company/employer sponsorship in the city. The country has not yet launched the application process for these new permits, but we advise you to follow the information in official sources to know about the start of the program in time.

Let’s sum up

Moving to Dubai is a process that may seem complicated until you begin to delve into the details and understand all the procedures. The most important thing is to start with priorities, first devote time and effort to documents, choose real estate and only then move on to less significant things. And then you will succeed!

Start choosing a property in Dubai

Visit https://emirates.estate/ to start picking up a property in Dubai, or check with the Emirates.Estate experts to get a quick and competent advice on buying or renting a house in the UAE!