Who Is Eligible For UAE Three Year Visa?

February 02, 2020

The validity of a residence visa in the UAE varies according to its type and the sponsor. It can be for 1, 2 or 3 years on a sponsored visa, or up to 5 or 10 years on an unsponsored visa. UAE Government The three-year residence visa is available to eligible foreign nationals who meet specific requirements set by UAE immigration authorities. This guide explains the eligibility criteria, application process, and important regulations for obtaining a three-year residence visa in the UAE.

Who Qualifies for a 3-year Residence Visa

Employment-Based Visa

Foreign nationals employed by UAE companies can obtain a three-year residence visa sponsored by their employer. The employer must be registered in the UAE, either in mainland or free zones, and hold a valid trade license.

Basic Requirements:

• Valid employment contract with a UAE-based company
• Work permit approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
• Educational qualifications relevant to the position
• Pass medical fitness test (for applicants 18 years and above)
• Pass a security background check UAE Government
• Apply for an Emirates ID card from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship

The three-year visa validity typically applies to government sector employees and certain categories of private sector workers based on employment contracts.

Business Owner & Investor Visa

Entrepreneurs and investors who establish businesses in the UAE can obtain residence visas through their companies. The visa duration depends on the business license type and emirate.

Eligibility:

• Valid UAE trade license (mainland or free zone)
• Business ownership or partnership in a registered company
• The company must be operational and compliant with regulations
• Sufficient capital investment as required by the licensing authority

Family Sponsorship Visa

Expatriate residents can sponsor immediate family members for residence visas.

Sponsor Requirements: The sponsor must have a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.  Both employers and employees with valid UAE residence visas can sponsor residence visas for their families. Unlike before, employees can sponsor their families regardless of their job titles if they earn the minimum salary.

Who Can Be Sponsored:

• Spouse (wife or husband)
• Daughters (unmarried, with no age restrictions)
• Sons (can be sponsored until age 25)
• Parents (requiring minimum salary stipulated by respective immigration authority)

For Sponsoring Parents: According to the Amer website, DNRD in Dubai stipulates a minimum salary of AED 20,000 to sponsor parents’ visa. Medical insurance coverage for parents is mandatory.

Required Documents

General Documents for All Applicants:

• Valid passport
• Recent coloured personal photo with a white background
• Entry permit issued by the sponsor
• Medical fitness certificate from approved health centers
• Emirates ID application
• Proof of health insurance

Employment Visa Additional Documents:

• Employment contract
• Educational certificates (attested)
• Employer’s trade license copy
• Salary certificate

Family Visa Additional Documents:

• Marriage certificate (attested and translated to Arabic)  for sponsoring spouse
• Birth certificates (attested) for sponsoring children
• Sponsor’s salary certificate
• Tenancy contract or property ownership proof
• Medical fitness test certificates for family members aged 18+

Application Process

Step 1: Obtain Entry Permit. Your sponsor applies for an entry permit through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP).

Step 2: Enter UAE Travel to UAE using entry permit within its validity period (typically 60 days).

Step 3: Medical Fitness Test Applicants who are 18 and above must undergo a medical test to prove that they are medically fit. Tests conducted at approved UAE health centers.

Step 4: Emirates ID Application. Applicants must apply for an Emirates ID card from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

Step 5: Visa Issuance Submit all documents to immigration authorities for final visa processing and approval.

Where to Apply:

• Dubai: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) – gdrfad.gov.ae
• Other Emirates: Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) – icp.gov.ae

Important Regulations

180-Day Absence Rule

The general rule is that if an expatriate resident lives outside the UAE for more than 180 days continuously, his/her residence visa will be nullified automatically.

Exceptions to This Rule: However, there are some exceptions that allow an expatriate resident to stay outside the UAE for more than six months and at the same time maintain the validity of his/her residence visa. These include:

• Expatriate residents and their companions sent abroad for treatment, provided they submit a medical report approved by medical authorities in the UAE
• Expatriate residents working for the public sector sent by their employers to attend training or specialist courses
• Domestic helpers accompanying members of diplomatic and consular missions representing the UAE abroad

Visa Renewal

Your sponsor must renew your residence visa before it expires. A renewed visa will let you continue living legally in the UAE without incurring fines or facing legal consequences.

Grace Period: UAE residents are granted longer flexible grace periods that reach up to 6 months (according to resident category) to stay in the country after the residence permit is cancelled or expired.

Overstay Penalties

The ICP has standardised the overstaying fines in the UAE. According to the new rules, visit, tourist and residence visa overstaying fees have standardised at AED 50 per day. Those overstaying on a residency visa will have to pay AED 50 each day.

The family’s residence permits are linked to the residence permit of the sponsoring family member. If the sponsoring family member’s visa is cancelled, it requires cancellation of the visas of the dependents.

Dependents are granted a 6-month grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation of their visas to obtain a new residence permit.

ALTERNATIVE LONG-TERM VISA OPTIONS

Green Visa (5 Years)

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 for a UAE national or employer to sponsor his/her visa.

Eligibility:

• Freelancers and self-employed individuals with evidence of annual income from self-employment for the previous two years, amounting to not less than AED 360,000
• Skilled employees classified in the first, second or third occupational level as perthe  Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, holding a minimum bachelor’s degree with a salary of not less than AED 15,000 per month

Closing

The UAE three-year residence visa provides medium-term residency for employees, investors, and family members who meet specific eligibility criteria. Residence visas vary in validity according to type and sponsor, ranging from 1 to 3 years for sponsored visas, and up to 5 or 10 years for unsponsored long-term visas.

For professional assistance with UAE residence visas, business setup, and immigration services, contact our expert team. We provide comprehensive support throughout the application process to ensure compliance with UAE regulations.