Mainland Visas
Private Companies
As long as they apply for residence visa status within 30 days of the employee’s arrival in the United Arab Emirates, private companies are able to obtain new employment entry permits for their employees.
The employment visa is good for three years if your business is registered in a free zone.
The visa will be valid for two years if your company is registered onshore.
The employer is also in charge of making sure the new hire has all the necessary travel arrangements, including obtaining the “okay to board” that some airlines may require.
Family Residency Visas
(Please note that the information below only applies to residents of the UAE).
If your family members are outside the UAE, you must first apply for an entry residence visa. After they arrive you then have up to 30 days to apply for the residence stamp.
Your monthly salary should not be less than AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation). If you wish to sponsor a residence visa for your parents, your minimum monthly salary should be AED 20,000 (or AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation).
Required documentation includes:
- Typed application form.
- Salary certificate (for government employees) or attested work contract (other employees).
- Three months of most recent bank statement for long-time residents. New residents may submit the most recent month but must have a bank letter confirming salary transfer.
- Attested tenancy contract, Emirates ID card, and labour card.
- Marriage certificate that has been attested by UAE authorities (for UAE marriages) or in your home country for spouse sponsorship.
- Passports (original) and copies of both sponsor and family member(s).
- Medical check-up report of spouse or children over 15-years of age from an authorised hospital or clinic.
- Three passport photos per family member.
- Please note that for your family member’s residence visa to remain valid he or she must not be out of the UAE for more than six months. In the case where a Muslim expatriate has married more than one wife, he can only obtain one residence visa.
