KNect365 - Cross Border Planning for Private Clients
Please join Fragomen professionals Chad Ellsworth and Kelvin Tanner as they speak at KNect365 - Cross Border Planning for Private Clients in...
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
If your company is sending employees to United Arab Emirates — Fragomen is here to help. Working closely with our Local Advisors in United Arab Emirates, we provide the immigration strategies and support you need to get your employees on the ground as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, please click here to contact us.
The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) immigration system is based on a concept of sponsorship; the majority of travel and all work authorization types require a sponsor. The type of sponsor defines the categories of visas that are available. The UAE provides both short- and long-term visa options for prospective foreign nationals visitors; the availability of permit depends on the sponsor's jurisdiction and the foreign national's intended stay period and activities, among other factors.
The UAE is a federation of seven Emirates. Each Emirate follows the federal laws but has a right to constitute their own laws and regulations (Emirate-specific). As a result, various free trade zones (free zones) have been established across the country with the objective of offering a 100% foreign ownership, tax exemption and flexible business regulations. Each free zone is designed around one or more business industry categories and offers licenses to companies within those categories. Dubai is leading in this field with over 30 free zones currently operating in the Emirate.
The main structure of the immigration process, including eligibility and documentary requirements, is identical across all the Emirates; any differences among free zones and mainland (outside of free zones) are a result of internal regulatory procedures of the free zones.
Companies in mainland are subject to a classification system which groups them into the following categories:
- Category 1;
- Category 2-A, 2-B, 2-C, 2-D; and
- Category 3.
In general, the classification depends on the commitment to Emiratisation, cultural diversity and records of violations and the higher the category the greater the incentives offered to the employer by the authorities.
Select nationalities are either visa-exempt or can obtain a visit visa-on-arrival. The maximum allowable stay depends on the foreign national's nationality but it is typically up to 14, 30 or 90 days. Extension of stay is permissible for select categories of entries. Certain business activities (including attending meetings and interviews, negotiating and signing deals and contracts, site visits, etc.) are permissible for visa-exempt and visa-on-arrival nationals provided that no hands-on work is performed.
Visit visas for business are generally issued for a single entry and are valid for a stay of 14, 30 or 90 days. Free zones often allow for a single-entry visa to be converted into a multiple-entry permit. Extensions of stay are permitted under select visa categories only. Citizens of countries that are visa-exempt or eligible for a visit visa-on-arrival are not eligible for business visit visas but may obtain some other categories of visit visas, including service visas.
The main work authorization category in all jurisdictions is an Employment Residence Permit (ERP). The Mission Work Permit (MWP) is an option for those who are seeking short-term work authorization outside of free zones (in mainland). The work authorization process in free zones is less cumbersome and more streamlined as compared to the procedures applicable in the mainland.
Note that Emirates, aside from Dubai, exercise significant discretion adjudicating various immigration requests, such as female foreign nationals sponsoring dependents, adoption of children, sponsorship of parents, etc.
Same-sex and unmarried partners do not qualify as dependents regardless of the jurisdiction.
Detailed Immigration Snapshots, Document Lists and Process Guides are available to clients on request.
Fragomen in the UAE is Fragomen UAE Ltd. in Dubai International Finance Centre and Fragomen FZ-LLC in Dubai Development Authority. Both entities operate as immigration consultancies.
Abu Dhabi
Fragomen FZ LLC - Abu Dhabi
abudhabiinfo@fragomen.com
+971 2 4083 100
+971 2 4083 101
Level 17, Office Suites 40-41, 60, The Offices World Trade CenterPO Box 30275
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Dubai (FZ)
Fragomen FZ-LLC
dubaiinfo@fragomen.com
+971 4 8181 777
+971 4 429 1392
Office G01, Ground Floor EIB 4 BuildingDubai Internet City
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Dubai (UAE)
Fragomen (UAE) Ltd.
dubaiinfo@fragomen.com
+971 4 8181 777
+971 4 429 1392
Office 101, First Floor Liberty House Dubai International Financial Centre Sheikh Zayed RoadPO Box 506626
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
13 professionals
