Immigration Law in Dubai

No, emigration to Dubai is not possible without complying with legal provisions. For a lawful stay, possession of a valid visa is always required, the issuance of which is subject to the fulfillment of specific conditions. These requirements vary depending on the purpose of stay – be it for employment, company formation, investments, or family reunification. They must be fully met to ensure the stay complies with the applicable law of the UAE.

No, a fixed residence in the UAE is not required for applying for many visas. German citizens can often enter visa-free for short-term tourist or business purposes. However, if a person intends to reside permanently in the UAE or pursue gainful employment there, possession of a corresponding residence visa is mandatory. This can generally also be applied for outside the UAE, so a prior residence in the country is not a mandatory requirement.

In Dubai, there are various visa categories that differ according to both the intended duration and purpose of stay. Short-term visas, especially tourist visas, entitle holders to single or multiple entries and are regularly used for holiday stays or short-term business activities (business initiation).

For a longer-term or business stay, however, obtaining a corresponding long-term visa is required. These include, among others, work visas, family visas, the so-called Green Visa for qualified professionals and freelancers, and the Golden Visa, which grants special residency rights of up to 10 years to long-term investors and certain highly qualified individuals.

A Residence Visa represents an officially issued residence permit that enables a person’s lawful and longer-term stay in the UAE. In practice, such a visa is regularly issued for a period of one to two years and can subsequently be extended.

The Residence Visa is also a mandatory prerequisite for the issuance of the Emirates ID and forms the legal basis for permanently residing in the UAE, pursuing gainful employment, opening bank accounts, and exercising other rights and obligations associated with the residency status.

There are various legal avenues to obtain a Residence Visa and an Emirates ID in the UAE. Entrepreneurs and investors can apply for such a visa, in particular, by establishing a company or participating in one. Employees regularly receive a Residence Visa through a work visa sponsored by their employer, which forms the legal basis for their stay.

Furthermore, owners of real estate in Dubai can also apply for a Residence Visa under certain conditions. Family members, such as spouses and minor children of visa holders, have the option to obtain a Family Visa. Special retiree visa programs are also available for retirees, which enable a longer-term, legal stay in the UAE.

The duration of the visa process in the UAE varies depending on the respective visa category, as well as the completeness and accuracy of the submitted documents. The following timeframes can be provided as a guide:

• Tourist Visas: Either “On Arrival” or typically 2-5 business days after document submission.
• Work Visas: Approximately 1 week, depending on the company and the processing time of the authorities.
• Investor and Real Estate Visas: Approximately 1 week, as additional checks of the investment or property may be required.
• Golden Visa/Green Visa: 1 week, as these long-term visas require stricter criteria and reviews.

By engaging experienced legal counsel, such as TME Legal Consultants, the entire process can be considerably streamlined. Our law firm ensures that all applications are properly prepared, submitted on time, and that administrative requirements are met in a legally compliant manner, to enable you to obtain the desired residence permit predictably and efficiently.