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29 March 2024

'Married woman can sponsor family in UAE'

The biggest differences in visa types lie between residence and all other visas. (File)

Published
By Ludmila Yamalova

Under the UAE immigration law, the two most common types of visas, allowing one to enter the country, are a tourist visa and a residence visa.

A woman can sponsor her family only if she is married and subject to further restrictions. She must also hold a college degree and earn at least Dh10,000 per month.

Here are a few other types of visas, which are less common and some of which are either fairly recent or are being recently amended.

This includes, among other things, a student visa, property investor entry-permit and multi-entry work visa. In general, the biggest differences in visa types lie between residence visa and all other visas.

The residence visa offers the greatest range of benefits.

Tourist visa

A tourist visa is a one-time entry permit. It is limited in the duration of stay, with thirty days being most common. Some nationalities are exempt from having to obtain an actual physical visa in their passport.

Those nationalities include, but are not limited to, most European countries, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

They receive a visa on arrival in the form of an entry stamp.

The visa is valid for thirty days, but could be extended for a few extra days at a daily fee.

There are no restrictions as to how soon or often citizens of these countries can re-enter the UAE after they depart. The list of countries that qualify for a visa on arrival is constantly being updated.

Other nationalities are required to obtain a physical visa in their passport, which must be processed in advance. For some of these nationalities, once they leave the UAE, they are required to wait for at least thirty days before qualifying to apply for a return visa to the UAE.

While not explicitly stated, a tourist visa entitles tourists to certain benefits, beyond the typical tourist activities.

Visitors can rent cars, though some countries may require an international driving license.

Beyond this, a tourist visa is limited. One is not allowed to work under a tourist visa. Working while on a tourist visa will result in a fine and either/or jail and deportation, if ever caught.

A tourist cannot open a bank account in the UAE or qualify for any other banking facilities.
Nor can he sponsor his family, requiring all family members to apply for their own visa.

A tourist visa, however, does allow one to buy and own real property in the UAE But it does not allow owning a car, as the UAE residency is required to register it.
 
Residence visa

Residence visa is issued to those who either work in the UAE or own a business registered in the country, including family members. Residence visa grants a wide range of benefits. A residence status, either by virtue of employment or business ownership, allows for sponsorship of family members.

This includes spouse and children, as well as parents. To qualify, a man can sponsor his family if he earns at least Dh3,000 per month, plus accommodation, or Dh4,000 a month, without accommodation.

He is also required to secure independent accommodation and show a registered tenancy contract in his name.

The size of the property must correspond with the size of the family.

A woman can sponsor her family only if she is married and subject to further restrictions. She must also hold a college degree and earn at least Dh10,000 per month.

Furthermore, under the residence visa one can sponsor domestic help, such as a maid, nanny or driver.

A woman under her husband’s or father’s sponsorship can also work, with a no-objection from her male sponsor. A reverse, however, is not possible. That is to say, a husband sponsored by his wife cannot work in the UAE.

He must obtain his own employment visa. A residence visa entitles one to open a local bank account and qualify for a full range of banking facilities. A resident can buy a car or lease a property. Sponsored children can be enrolled in local schools.

A word of caution for spouses bringing children into the UAE from previous marriages – they require no objection from the other parent, in order to qualify for residency. Noteworthy, without a residence visa, none of these benefits are otherwise available.

Residence visa is usually granted either for two or three years, depending on the issuing authority.
It allows unlimited entry into and stay in the country. But it requires that a resident visits the UAE at least every six months.

In the event of change in employment, either through termination or a new job, a residence visa has to either be cancelled or transferred.

To cancel a residence visa, most of the time, one must first cancel visas of the dependents. Depending on the relevant issuing authority, some visas can be transferred. In particular, from a free zone to a different free zone. Some nationalities, however, are required to exit the country before they are allowed to re-enter on a new employment permit.

Multiple-Entry visa

In addition to the tourist and residence visas, there are multiple-entry visas issued for certain purposes. In terms of scope, these visas are more like tourist visas than residence visas.

One such visa is a multiple-entry permit available to those who own property in the UAE valued at more than Dh1 million. This permit provides an unlimited number of entries into the country for six months and unlimited stay during that time. This visa also allows for sponsorship of the immediate family (spouse and children) on the same basis.

Multiple entry visas can also be issued for visitors on business for companies registered in the UAE. Similarly, tourists on ships whose programs involve multiple entries into the country qualify for multiple-entry visas.

These visas are also valid for six months, thirty days for each entry, except for tourists it is 60 days.

Conclusion

In general, immigration policies are being constantly reviewed and updated. The UAE Ministry of Interior publishes many of the relevant updates and specific fees on its website. One thing is clear, however, immigration in the UAE is a matter of federal policy and all immigrations laws are uniform across the country.

The author is the Managing Partner, HPL Yamalova & Plewka DMCC

Note: The views expressed are the author’s own and do not reflect in any way, the views of Emirates 24|7. Readers are advised to carry out their own due diligence before taking any decision.