Long-Term Residency in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to flourish as an attractive destination for individuals seeking residency and a variety of career opportunities. With its thriving economy, modern infrastructure and positive quality of life, the UAE catches the attention of many expatriates.

Moving to a new country can be a daunting process. Fortunately, the UAE has created various relocation schemes to facilitate immigration for individuals from all walks of life.

This blog explores why moving to the UAE can be beneficial and discusses the different types of long-term residencies available based on the purpose and duration of the visit.

Why Move to the UAE?

There are several reasons why people choose to move to the UAE, including:

• • Strong Economy and High Standard of Living. The UAE boasts a robust and diversified economy, making it an attractive destination for those seeking financial stability and prosperity.
  • Tax-Free Environment. The UAE provides a tax-free environment, which is particularly advantageous for those looking to enhance their financial well-being.
  • Safe and Secure. The UAE is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, ensuring a secure living environment for residents and their families.
  • Banking Facilities. A UAE residence visa allows individuals to open a bank account in one of the country's reliable and secure financial institutions.
  • Family Residency. UAE visas often extend to family members, providing the opportunity to reunite with loved ones and establish a family presence in the country.
  • Real Estate Ownership. With a UAE residence visa, there are no restrictions on acquiring and renting real estate, facilitating comfortable accommodation and potential investment opportunities.
  • Travel Benefits. UAE residency visas grant travel advantages to many destinations including neighbouring countries. This can be in the form of a facilitated visa-on-arrival process, easier administrative process (e-visas) or access to visa applications via designated consulates and visa agents.
  • Strong presence of elite international education institutes.

Long-Term Residency Options in the UAE: Navigating the Current Political Landscape

For those interested in relocating to the UAE, below are the most popular and currently available long-term residency options, depending on the individual profile and opportunities.

Self-Sponsored Long-Term Residence Permits (Golden Visa Programs): The UAE's self-sponsored residence visa program remains one of the most viable options for anyone seeking long-term residency. This program enables eligible individuals, including investors, entrepreneurs, talented professionals and exceptional individuals in various fields, to live and work in the UAE for up to 10 years.

Real Estate Investment: Investing in UAE real estate also remains an attractive option, as property ownership continues to provide a stable pathway to residency. By purchasing residential or commercial properties of a minimum value of 750,000 AED, individuals can secure residency permits based on the property's value and location, the residence term ranges from two up to 10 years and is renewable at the time of expiry if the terms of the visa are met.

Entrepreneurship and Business Setup: Starting a business in the UAE is another potential option for entrepreneurs. The UAE offers various business-friendly free zones that provide incentives like 100% ownership, tax exemptions and streamlined registration processes. Setting up a business not only opens the doors to residency but also allows individuals to contribute to the UAE's growing economy. It is crucial to seek professional advice to understand the legal requirements and business regulations.

Retirement Residency: The UAE offers attractive retirement residency options for individuals looking to spend their golden years in a warm and vibrant environment. To qualify for a retirement visa, individuals must be at least 55 years old and should fulfil the financial criteria, which may include a minimum pension amount or an investment in real estate. Retirees can enjoy the UAE's world-class amenities, healthcare services and a safe living environment.

Employment-Based Residency: By securing employment with an established company in the UAE, individuals can obtain a work permit and long-term residency. It is essential to secure approvals before commencing employment in compliance with UAE labour laws to safeguard your rights and long-term prospects.

Family Sponsorship: Those already residing in the UAE can explore family sponsorship options to bring their family members (such as spouses, children or parents) to the country. Family sponsorship allows for the reunification of families and enables them to enjoy the benefits of living in the UAE together. It is important to familiarize yourself with the sponsorship requirements to ensure a smooth immigration process.

Moving Forward

Whether through investment, employment, entrepreneurship, retirement or family sponsorship, the UAE welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to its growing economy while enjoying a high standard of living.

Need to know more?

Are you interested in obtaining long-term residency in the UAE? To determine whether you are eligible to apply, use Fragomen's FREE Long-Term Residence Assessment Eligibility Tool.

For questions related to migrating to the UAE, please reach out to Partner Abeer Al Husseini at [email protected] or Manager Olga Astapova at [email protected].

This blog was published on 31 August 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.