How To Get A Residence Visa In Dubai: 2025 Requirements, Process, And Documents Needed?

The UAE is now one of the most popular places to live, work, and invest in 2025. Its amazing infrastructure, tax-free policies, and active business mentality make it an excellent place to reside permanently, and that is why you need a UAE residency visa. This enables you to reside in the UAE for a number of years, offering several residency benefits.

We help our prospective investors gain residency visas by purchasing premium properties such as D-Villas At Jumeirah Golf Estates, Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai and W Residences in Dubai, offering luxury living and long-term residency. So keep reading and take a step forward in getting a residency visa in the UAE.

Key Takeaways

• Dubai attracts foreign residents and investors with a long-term stay, a tax-free environment, and a solid infrastructure.
• A UAE residence visa enables access, services, and long-term stay, and may be based on employment, business, investment, or family sponsorship.
• Spend at least AED 2 million on Dubai real estate and get eligible for a 10-year Golden Visa.
• A visa application involves the preparation of documents, obtaining an entry visa, a medical checkup, and obtaining an Emirates ID.
• Applicants can check visa status and print visa copies online from official UAE websites using their application or passport numbers.
• You may also sponsor relatives, with nominal charges of AED 3,000–7,000 and processing times of 2–10 working days.

What Is a Residence Visa in the UAE?

A UAE residence visa allows foreign nationals to stay, work, or study in the UAE for a period of 2 to 10 years. A residence visa is different from a visit visa, which is meant for temporary stays. 

Most residence visas have a sponsor, i.e., a company or a UAE resident, who is liable for your stay. However, there are exceptions, such as the Green Visa, Golden Visa, that allow real estate investors, skilled workers, freelancers, and self-employed to sponsor themselves. It is this openness that draws the UAE to a diverse range of applicants, from professionals to investors.

Prepare the Supporting Documents

Before applying for a UAE residence visa, the required documents need to be prepared. These would normally include:

• Valid passport with at least six months’ validity
• Photocopies of the passport
• Submission of a completed visa application form
• Recent passport-sized photographs 
• Proof of health insurance
• A photocopy of the Emirates ID.

Apart from this, you may need other documents depending on your visa type. For example, investors may need proof of property ownership while employees may need an offer letter. 

Obtain an Entry Visa

The first step to acquiring a residence visa is to arrive in the UAE on an entry permit or an entry visa. This entry visa allows you to remain in the country for a short while as you obtain residency. It is valid for 60 days, which is long enough to undergo medical tests and submit the required documents. Also, it depends on the purpose of your stay, either for work, investment, or sponsorship by family.

Arrange a Medical Examination

A medical examination is a mandatory requirement for all resident visa applicants 18 years and above. It is conducted at an approved medical facility and tests for certain specified medical conditions.

You will need to bring your original passport, entry permit, and a passport-sized photo. The test will take a few days, and you will need a successful medical report before proceeding to the next step.

Apply for an Emirates ID

Emirates ID is the UAE's official resident ID card. It is provided by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and is given for the same duration as your residence visa is valid.

You will need your passport, visa copy, and proof of residence, such as a tenancy agreement. You will also be asked to undergo biometric testing, including fingerprinting and an iris scan. An Emirates ID is needed to get access to government services, a bank account, and to complete official payments.

File for Residency

Once you have sent in your entry permit, medical reports, and application for Emirates ID, your sponsor can proceed to make the final application for the residence visa. This step is completed through authorized channels like typing centers or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

Upon approval, the visa is stamped in your passport, and you officially become a UAE resident. You are now eligible to obtain your Emirates ID and enjoy residency benefits.

How to Get a Residence Visa in Dubai?

There are several ways to get a residence visa in Dubai:

• Employment-Based Visa: Your employer sponsors your visa while you are working in Dubai.
• Property Investment (Golden Visa): Investing in a Dubai property worth at least AED 2 million can grant you a 10-year Golden Visa. DarGlobal offers luxury properties like  D-Villas At Jumeirah Golf Estates, Trump International Hotel & Tower, Dubai and W Residences Dubai through which you can accomplish this while experiencing the luxury lifestyle. 
• Company registration: Entrepreneurs can apply for an investor visa and sponsor their family members.
• Golden Visa for Professionals: Available to top-tier talents, investors, and high-end individuals.
• Remote Work Visa: For employees who work for foreign companies but wish to live in Dubai.
• Retirement Visa: For those aged 55 and older who meet financial requirements.

Explore which are the Best Golden Visa Countries for Real Estate ROI in 2025.

How to Get a UAE Residence Visa?

Securing a UAE residence visa starts with selecting the appropriate type of visa based on your needs, like work, investment, entrepreneurship, or family sponsorship. Next, you prepare the required documents, including residence evidence and medical insurance. Candidates aged 18 and above must go through a medical fitness test and a security check. Once you are approved, you receive your Emirates ID, and you are done.

How to Check Residence Visa Status in the UAE?

You can check your UAE residence visa status online via the official ICA Smart Services portal for most emirates or the GDRFA website for Dubai. By providing your application number or passport number, you can check the status of your visa, including whether it is approved, pending, or in progress.

How to Get a Residence Visa Copy Online?

To get an online printout of your residence visa, visit the  ICP Smart Services platform, specifically the website: smartservices.icp.gov.ae, log into your account, and download your visa application. You may print the visa copy, preferably in PDF format. This proves useful in saving a copy of your visa details digitally.

Conclusion

In 2025, obtaining a Dubai residence visa remains a straightforward process for investors, professionals, and families, provided you meet the eligibility requirements and prepare the necessary documents. Whether through employment, entrepreneurship, or property investment, the UAE offers multiple visa options that open the door to long-term residency and its many benefits, including access to world-class infrastructure, tax-free earnings, and an exceptional quality of life.

For those seeking a seamless path to residency, property investment—particularly in luxury developments—offers both a lifestyle upgrade and a secure visa route. Partnering with an experienced developer like DarGlobal ensures not only access to prime real estate but also expert guidance throughout the visa process, making your move to Dubai both smooth and rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1: How long does it take to get a UAE residence visa?

Getting a UAE residency visa is a fast process. It generally takes only 2 to 10 working days from the time the documents are received and the medical evaluation is done.

2: Can I apply for a visa without a job in the UAE?

Yes, you can apply for a residency visa without having a job in the UAE through real estate investment, company setup, family sponsorship, or some self-sponsorship visa categories. 

3: What’s the difference between a residence visa and a visit visa?

A residence visa permits long-term residence and offers several residency benefits like the right to work, education, etc., while a visit visa permits short residence for tourist or short business stays. 

4: How to track my UAE visa application status?

You can track your UAE visa application status online through the ICA Smart Services portal or GDRFA website using your passport number or application number. 

5: Can I sponsor my family under a UAE residence visa?

Yes, you can sponsor your family on a UAE residence visa if you are eligible on the basis of income and accommodation. It can include your spouse, children, and parents. 

6: How much does a UAE residence visa cost in 2025?

The cost of a UAE residence visa in 2025 varies depending on the type of visa. It is usually around AED 3,000 to AED 7,000, which includes application fees, medical check-up, and Emirates ID. 

7: What are the eligibility criteria for an investor residence visa?

For an investor residence visa, you must invest in real estate of a minimum worth of AED 2 million or meet other investment requirements as specified by the UAE authorities.