Residency issues in the UAE are regulated by Federal Decree Law No. 29 of 2021, and obtaining citizenship for foreign citizens is not a standard or widely accessible procedure. For most foreigners, obtaining a residence visa on one of the legally established grounds is a practical means of legitimately residing in the UAE.

Residence Permit or Resident Status in the UAE

To obtain residency status, you must obtain a long-term residence visa, which can be extended upon expiration. It is worth noting that residency status opens up several additional opportunities for foreign citizens, including:

• Tax benefits and exemption from income tax;
• Visas for family members;
• Freedom of movement not only within the UAE but also in other Gulf countries.

Now let's take a closer look at the methods for obtaining residency in Dubai and the UAE.

Business Registration in the Emirates

Shareholders and founders receive residency status when they register a company in free zones or on the UAE mainland. A mandatory condition for this decision is that the registered company must have tax residency status, meaning it must not be an offshore company. A residence visa is granted not only to the founders but also to their family members; you must provide documents confirming your relationship.

Employee Visa

If a legal entity is registered in the Emirates, all its foreign employees are also eligible for a residence visa. For this visa category, the company must have its own commercial premises, either leased or owned. A virtual office may also qualify for visas for employees, but the number of visas is limited (usually up to three).

Student Visas in Dubai

All international students admitted to universities in the Emirates are granted a student residence visa. In this situation, the higher education institution acts as a sponsor, and the visa's validity depends on the duration of study. This period may vary depending on the program and the chosen faculty.

Real Estate Purchase

For foreign nationals who purchase real estate in the United Arab Emirates worth over AED 750,000, they are granted a residence permit. Property for foreigners is available in specialized areas classified as freehold.

Conclusion

The primary basis for acquiring a residence visa in the UAE includes employment, registering your company on the mainland or free zone, sponsorship by family member(s), education and ownership of property as long as you meet the current immigration criteria.

This usually involves submitting corporate or personal documents, carrying out immigration handling processes, going through a medical test, getting an emirate ID and fulfilling all other requirements as pertains to the respective visa ground.

Seek expert advice from a qualified company if you are looking for practical help with choosing the right grounds under which to obtain a UAE residence visa, preparing documents and handling the procedures.

• Checked / Updated: 05.17.2026
• Published on: 07.07.2015
• Author: Andrey Melnichuk