Visas to live in Dubai

Do you need a visa for Dubai? It depends on your country of residence, the purpose of your visit, and how long you intend to stay. A Dubai visa for British people who want to work in the country isn’t that difficult to obtain if you meet the Dubai visa requirements.

If you’re planning a short stay in Dubai the process is fairly easy if you’re from one of the 82 countries that can travel to the UAE without the need for a tourist visa. Once you’ve arrived in Dubai, you can choose to apply for a single-entry tourist visa or a multiple-entry visa valid for 30 days or 60 days.

If you transit through or visit Dubai quite often, there is a multiple-entry long-term tourist visa, which is valid for five years. Transit visas can be obtained for 48 hours or 96 hours.

Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) are eligible for visa-free entry to Dubai and the UAE as a whole.

If you’re planning on investing, studying, working or retiring in Dubai, you’ll need to apply for a specific type of Dubai visa before you arrive in the UAE.

If you’re planning on being in Dubai for longer than the tourist visa allows, then you’ll have to make some arrangements beforehand. Dubai visa requirements differ depending on what you intend to do during your stay.

Please note that while this information is correct at the time of writing, it is always best to check the official UAE government website for the current regulations.

Getting a standard Dubai visa for work is usually a straightforward process. If you are going to be working in the private sector, your employer will need to put in an application for a residency visa for a normal employment visa on your behalf. The employer must have an Emirati company license or have been licensed by an Emirati authority.

If you will be working in a free zone or working for a government agency, then you’ll need to apply for a residency visa for an individual in the free zone. If you’re going to be working in Dubai, you’ll need a work permit as well as a Dubai work visa. Work visas can be valid for one, two, or three years. It is possible to enter Dubai on a tourist visa and then find a job and have your employer apply for a work visa for you. If you are in a specialised field, like the oil industry, you may be eligible to apply for free visa sponsorship jobs in Dubai for foreigners.

Are you a digital nomad wondering how to get a job visa for Dubai? There is a specific Dubai remote working visa you can apply for. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to prove that you earn money from a source outside the UAE and that your monthly income is equivalent to at least €3,250 / £2,750 per month. Employees and company owners must earn at least €4,650 / £3,900 per month. A Dubai remote work visa is valid for one year and can be renewed if you still meet the eligibility criteria at that time.

Student visas are issued for up to one year at a time. You must obtain a certificate issued by the university or institute where you will be studying.

Want to retire in Dubai? You’ll need a Dubai retirement visa. The Dubai retirement visa programme for over-55s requires you to have worked for at least 15 years either in the UAE or abroad. You’ll also need to have savings equivalent to at least €251,584 / £211,821 and own property in the UAE equivalent to at least €251,584 / £211,821. Retirement visas are valid for five years and are renewable.

If you plan on buying property or investing in Dubai, you might be eligible for a Golden visa. This is a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for five years. To be eligible you’ll need to own a property or a group of properties in the UAE worth at least AED 2 million.

Do you require a visa for Dubai but are having trouble managing the process? An iad Overseas consultant* can put you in touch with a local expert who can guide you through every step of your application. Get in touch with iad Overseas to find out more.