Aktualisiert: Januar 2026
You want to emigrate to Dubai? Are you wondering about a residence permit for Dubai? Which visa do you have to apply for? How does it work with family members?
In this article, we explain the different types of visas and how to apply for a visa and Emirates ID so that you know exactly what is right for you.
The most important thing in a nutshell
🏡 To live in Dubai permanently, you need a residence visa and an Emirates ID. With an EU passport, you can stay in Dubai for up to 90 days without this authorisation.
⏱️ The application for a residence visa takes about 5-7 working days after all documents have been submitted and can be valid for between 2 and 10 years.
🗂️ Required documents for the Residence Visa include a passport photo, passport copy, Emirates ID application form, medical test (for over 18s), entry permit and proof of health insurance.
✅ Benefits of the UAE Residence Visa include right of residence, bank account opening, tax benefits, access to financial institutions, driving licence application, tenancy rights, health services and insurance, schools for children, labour law and investment opportunities.
ℹ️ Different ways to obtain a residence visa are company formation, employment contract, sponsorship by family members, study, retirement and investment.
📅 The period of validity of the residence visa depends on the type of visa and the sponsor and can be extended after expiry.
How to get a residence visa in Dubai and the entire UAE: A "how-to" guide
To qualify for a residency visa in the UAE, certain requirements must be met:
- About setting up a company in the UAE: By setting up a business in the UAE, both the owner and the employees can obtain an Employment Visa.
- About investments: e.g. in real estate from AED 750,000 (approx. € 190,000) entitle to a 3-year investor visa.
- About an employment contract: When employed by a company in the UAE, the employer becomes the sponsor.
- Sponsorship from family membersPeople with a valid UAE Residence Visa can sponsor residence visas for their family members.
- Study in the UAEStudents can obtain a visa either through sponsorship from their parents or from the university they are studying at.
- Retirement in the UAEPensioners over 55 years of age can apply for a long-term visa for 5 years.
You are an entrepreneur and have deregistered from Germany and your exit strategy including Exit taxation taken care of. Here you will find the required documents for the UAE residence visa.
The following documents are required for a residence visa in Dubai:
- Current passport photo with white background
- Copy of passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Emirates ID Application Form
- Passed Medical Test (for persons over 18 years)
- Entry permit
- Health Insurance for Dubai
- Depending on the situation, additional documents may be required, especially if you want to sponsor family members.
IMPORTANT:
For sponsoring family members, additional documents such as copies of the sponsor's passport, birth certificates and marriage certificates are required.
The international birth certificate and marriage certificate (for children and/or marriage) must each be certified by three different offices...:
- District government Apostille
- Federal Office of Administration
- Authentication at the UAE Embassy in Berlin or Munich.
Advantages of the UAE Residence Visa
With this visa you get:
- Right of residence in the UAE
- Possibility to Opening a bank account in Dubai
- Tax advantages in Dubai
- Access to financial institutions
- Possibility to apply for a UAE driving licence
- Rental rights
- Access to public health services and health insurance
- Possibility to educate children in Education system to be registered
- Labour Law in the UAE
- Investment opportunities in the UAE
- Visa-free travel to certain countries
Period of validity of the Residence Visa
The duration for which a residence visa is valid depends on the type of visa and the sponsor. It can vary between 2 and 10 years, with the possibility of extension after expiry.
The Golden UAE Visa
The Golden visa is a special type of visa that allows long-term stays in the UAE.
Who can apply for the Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is aimed at:
- Investors
- Entrepreneur
- Scientists
- Top students and graduates
- Humanitarian pioneers
- uvm.
Advantages of the Golden Visa
With the Golden Visa, you can enjoy numerous benefits:
- One entry visa for six months with multiple entries
- A renewable long-term residence visa of 5 or 10 years
- No sponsor required
- Possibility to stay outside the UAE for more than six months
- Possibility to sponsor family members
- Permission to sponsor an unlimited number of domestic workers
- In the event of the death of the principal owner, family members may remain in the UAE
Requirements for the Golden Visa
The requirements vary depending on the category:
- Investors: Investment in a fund, trading licence, annual payment to the government, health insurance.
- Real estate investors: Ownership of real estate worth at least AED 2,000,000 (approx. € 520,000).
- Entrepreneur: Annual turnover of at least AED 1 million (approx. € 260,000) & previous sale of a company for at least AED 7 million. (approx. 1.8 m €)
- Outstanding talents: doctors, scientists, artists, inventors, executives, specialists in scientific fields, athletes, people with doctorates in technology and science.
- Outstanding students: High school students with top grades, university students with high GPAs.
- Humanitarian pioneers: members of international organisations, funders of humanitarian work.
- Frontline heroes: Nurses, medical assistants, laboratory technicians, pharmacologists.
The UAE Green Visa
The Green Visa is another option for those who wish to live in the UAE.
Advantages of the Green Visa
With the Green Visa you can:
- Sponsor yourself for up to 5 years
- Living without a local sponsor or employer in the UAE
Requirements for the Green Visa
- Freelancers/self-employed: Bachelor's degree, annual income of at least AED 360,000 (approx. € 93,000), approval by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- Qualified workers: Valid employment contract, Bachelor's degree, salary of at least AED 15,000 (approx. € 3,800) per month.
- Investors: ICP approval, proof of investment, local authority approval.
Other visa options in the UAE
There are also other visa options such as the Virtual Work Residence Visa, Dubai's Virtual Working Programme and the Domestic Worker's Visa.
Regulations for the Residence Visa
If you already have a residence visa, there are certain rules you need to follow, such as the length of your stay outside the UAE and the extension and cancellation of the visa.
How do I apply for my Residence Visa?
You can apply for your Residence Visa via Accredited Typing Center or online via the ICP website or App apply.
Virtual Work Residence Visa
For foreigners already working outside the UAE, Dubai offers the Virtual Work Residence Visa. This allows you to live in Dubai and work for your foreign company at the same time.
Requirements for the Virtual Work Residence Visa
- A remote work position with a company outside the UAE
- A monthly income of at least USD 3,500
Dubai's Virtual Working Programme
Who is the Virtual Working Programme suitable for?
- Persons living and working outside the UAE
- Entrepreneur
- Start-ups that meet certain criteria
Requirements for employees
- Employment contract with a term of at least one year
- Minimum salary of USD 5,000 per month
- Salary slips and bank statements for the last 3 months
Requirements for entrepreneurs
- Proof that the company has existed for at least one year
- Average monthly income of USD 5,000
- Company account statements for the last 3 months
Domestic Worker's Visa
Recruitment agencies working with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) help hire domestic workers in Dubai.
Professions that fall under it
- Maid
- Cook
- Babysitter
- Gardener
- Fitness Trainer
- Nurse
- Tutor
- Personal Assistant
- Chauffeur
- and many more.
Regulations and packages
- Traditional package: Recruitment of domestic workers from abroad to live with the employer.
- Temporary package: Registration of the domestic worker with the agency for a fixed period without living with the employer.
- Flexible package: Flexible working hours for the domestic worker.
Rights of domestic workers
- One accommodation
- Punctual payment of wages
- One day off per week
- 12 hours rest daily
- 30 days paid holiday per year
- Health insurance in Dubai
- Return ticket home every 2 years
- Possession of all personal identity documents
- 30 days sick leave per year
- Suitable work clothing
Visa Sponsorship of Domestic Workers
Immigrants are only allowed to hire domestic workers under certain conditions, e.g. a monthly income of AED 25,000 (approx. € 6,500).
Legal prohibitions on the employment of domestic workers
There are certain things that are prohibited when dealing with domestic workers, such as discrimination, sexual harassment and the employment of minors.
Step-by-step guide to applying for a residence visa in Dubai
How do I apply for my residence visa?
- Research: Find out about the different types of visas and decide which is best for you, or speak to our team of experts.
- Collect documents: Make sure you have all the necessary documents.
- Make a request: Go to the competent authority or use online portals to submit your application.
- Pay fees: There are fees for applying for and renewing visas. Find out the exact costs in advance.
- Wait: After submission, it may take some time for your application to be processed. Be patient and wait for confirmation.
Staying outside the UAE: What you need to know
If you have a valid residence visa for the UAE, there is one important rule you should be aware of: If you spend more than 183 days at a time outside the UAE, your visa will automatically become invalid. This means that you will need to apply for a new entry permit to return to the UAE.
Exceptions to the rule
However, there are some exceptions to this rule:
- Spouses of Emiratis: Foreign wives of Emirati citizens are exempt from this rule.
- Domestic workers: When they accompany Emiratis abroad, whether for study purposes, medical treatment or diplomatic duties.
- Medical patients: Persons who are sent abroad for treatment and have a medical certificate approved by the UAE.
- Public sector: People working abroad for the public sector or participating in special courses.
- Students: Foreign students who are studying abroad but have a valid UAE visa.
- Investors: Who hold a valid UAE residence visa.
- Diplomatic representatives: And their families, who are supported by the UAE.
- Other exemptions: Persons who are exempted by a decision of the ICP and have paid the required fees.
Special arrangements for divorced women and widows
There are also special provisions for women living in the UAE on their husband's visa who are either divorced or widowed. In such cases, the UAE government grants these women a one-year extension of their residence visa, starting from the date of their husband's death or divorce. This visa can only be extended once and does not require a new sponsor. The woman's children are also covered by this scheme, provided they had a visa from their father at the time of death or divorce.
Important: The visa of the woman and her children must still have been valid at the time of death or divorce. The children's visa must not be valid longer than the mother's visa.
How does the extension of the Residence Visa work
Here are some important points to keep in mind:
Timely extension
It is the responsibility of the sponsor to extend the visa before its expiry date. By extending it, you can continue to stay in the UAE legally and avoid unpleasant penalties.
The UAE offers its residents generous periods - up to 6 months - during which you can stay in the country, even if your residence visa has expired or been cancelled.
Penalties for overdraft
If you overstay your visa, whether it is a visit, tourist or residence visa, you will have to pay a daily fee of AED 50 (approx. €13).
Other important aspects:
Another important point is that when the Residence Visa expires, so does the Emirates ID.
If you want an earlier extension for certain reasons, such as travel, you will need special permission from the ICP.
How do I apply for the cancellation of a Residence Visa?
There are times when you may decide to leave Dubai permanently. In such cases, you will need to officially cancel your residence visa. Here's what you should keep in mind:
There are two main ways to cancel a residence visa:
1. by Accredited Typing CenterThey are located in every emirate and can help you with the cancellation.
2. OnlineYou can also apply for cancellation online through the ICP website or the ICP app available on both Google Play Store and App Store.
The Emirates ID in Dubai explained simply
What is the Emirates ID?
The Emirates ID is the official identity card for UAE citizens and residents. It is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) and is mandatory for everyone living in the UAE.
What is the Emirates ID for?
The card is not only a proof of identity, but also has many practical applications in daily life in the UAE.
Main purposes of the Emirates ID:
- Identification: It serves as an official document for identification and authentication in the UAE.
- Government services: It provides access to various government services.
- Elections: It is required for participation in elections.
- Travel: It acts as a travel document within the GCC.
- Airport access: It can be used to pass through eGates and Smart Gates at various airports in the UAE.
- Public services: It is used to register with services such as the Health system or the school system is needed.
- Visa and banking: It is necessary for visa applications and for banking transactions.
- Insurance: It serves as proof of insurance and social benefits in the UAE.
How do I apply for an Emirates ID?
Step-by-step instructions:
- Online applicationStart the process on the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) website or through an accredited typing centre.
- Biometric data: Before you receive the card, you must provide your biometric data at one of the ICP service centres.
Important information about Emirates ID:
- It is a legal requirement to carry your Emirates ID with you at all times.
- Companies are not allowed to retain the Emirates ID. They are only allowed to collect the personal data on it.
- If the card is unlawfully withheld, the person concerned should report this to the judicial authorities.
Frequently asked questions on the topic
Can you emigrate to Dubai just like that?
Yes, you can emigrate to Dubai. To live in Dubai permanently, you need a residence permit. Most people obtain this through an employment contract with a company in Dubai. There are also other visa categories, e.g. for investors or pensioners.
How do I become a resident in Dubai?
- Company formation in the UAE
- Investment in the UAE
- Employment contract in a public authority or in a private company
- Sponsorship from family members
- Students/ enrolment in a university
- Retirement
What visas are available for Dubai?
- Tourist visa
- Work visa
- Student visa
- Family sponsorship
- Investment visa
- Retirement visa
- Remote Work Visa
