The UAE, of which Dubai is the fondest Emirate, is a popular destination for Expatriates from around the globe.
Nearly 90% of the UAE population is made up of Expatriates.
A UAE Work Permit or “Labour Card” is a legal requirement to obtain employment in the exhilarating country located along Arabian Peninsula.
However, there are at least 7 visas that could offer holders the right to enter and leave the country regardless of whether or not they have employment.
We will examine 5 of these visas in this article.
1. Golden Visa: Property investors with a minimum of Dh2 million (230 Million Naira) investment, entrepreneurs, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, scientists, frontline workers and Covid-19 heroes, exceptionally-talented and first-degree relatives can obtain the Golden Visa.
The Golden visa is a long-term residence visa which enables foreign talents to live, and work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits.
2. Remote work visa: This visa is valid for one year and allows the holders to reside and work in UAE remotely for their foreign employer. The candidate will have to submit proof of employment from a foreign employer with one-year contract validity and a minimum salary of $5,000 PER MONTH. This visa doesn’t require people to have a job, or a sponsor, in the UAE.
3. Green Visa: The UAE’s Green visa is a type of residence visa, that allows its holder to sponsor himself/herself for 5 years, eliminating the need of a UAE national or employer to sponsor his/her visa. Freelancers/self-employed should have a permit from MoHRE, annual income from self-employment of no less than Dh360,000 (42 Million Naira) for the previous two years and prove financial solvency throughout their stay in UAE. While students must be sponsored by licensed educational establishments and must have visa sponsorship from the university, parents or relatives.
4. Retirement visa: People aged 55 and above can apply. To obtain a retirement visa, they must have invested Dh2 million in property, or have financial savings of no less than Dh1 million, or have an active income of no less than Dh20,000 per month (2.3 Million Naira).
5. Job exploration visa: Foreign nationals falling under first, second or third skill categories as per Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) guidance will be issued a 60-day visa to be able to conduct job interviews, meetings, and business opportunities such as setting up a company. They must have a Bachelor’s degree from one of the top 500 universities in the world.
