How to Switch from Dubai Visit Visa to Residency Visa
Dubai, the pearl of the United Arab Emirates, is not only a tourist heaven, but also a business center of the world and an expatriate dream to find a better job and improve the quality of life. Most people certainly come to the UAE on a Dubai visit visa and then decide to extend their stay in the country by getting a residency visa either through employment, business or family reunification.
It is imperative to know how to change a Dubai visit visa to residency visa to have a hassle-free experience. The process involves legal steps, documentation, and sponsorship, but with the right guidance, you can handle it smoothly and efficiently. So, how do you go about taking this crucial step and embark on a process that will see you settle in Dubai on a long-term basis?
1. The Difference: Visit Visa or Residency Visa:
A visit visa is a short term visa mainly used in tourism or visiting family or friends, and its validity is 30, 60, or 90 days. It neither allows you to work nor live in the country on the long-term basis. Instead, a residency visa permits its holder to reside in Dubai legally and over a long period of time; one to ten years, depending on the type of visa, i.e., employment, investor, or family visa.
You should be aware of your current visa subclass and its expiry date before switching. An overstay of visit visa may impose fines or legal problems.
2. Find a Sponsor to Your Residency Visa:
- In order to acquire a residency visa in Dubai, you are supposed to have a sponsor. This may be:
- A work visa requires an employer (to work visa)
- A relative (under family sponsorship
- Yourself (in case of applying under investor or freelance visa)
- The visa procedure is initiated by the sponsor, such as application of entry permit when you are still in UAE on Dubai visit visa. This is the first step to initiate the legal transition.
3. Change of Status in the UAE:
In the past, changing the visa status required the applicant to leave the UAE. However, new modifications allow one to modify their visa status without having to travel abroad. Once the entry permit towards your residency visa is provided, you may make an application to have your status changed at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) or the General Directorate of Foreigners Affairs and Residency (GDRFA). This has to be done before the expiry of your Dubai visit visa to avoid fines.
4. Emirates ID Application and Medical Test
After altering your visa status, you will be required to take a medical fitness test in a certified health facility. This is obligatory to all applicants of residency visa and it involves communicable diseases tests. Once you clear the medical, you will be able to apply or get an Emirates ID, which is a mandatory requirement to live and receive services in the UAE. It is also at this stage that your biometrics will be taken.
5. Last Process: Stamping of Residency Visa
The last process of changing a Dubai visit visa to residency visa is the stamping of your residency visa on the passport.
You can complete this after finishing all other procedures, such as changing your visa status, undergoing the medical test, and applying for your Emirates ID. The visa is normally valid with 2 or 3 years validity in case of employment and 10 years in case of investor visas. After stamping, you are already an official legal resident of Dubai.
Conclusion:
Changing a Dubai visit visa to a residency visa follows a clear, well-organized process that requires proper planning and legal compliance. Moving to a new job, family, or business opportunity, you may want to learn more about the process to prevent delays and complications. Dubai has a helping infrastructure with an easy visa process, so moving to this country is hassle-free to many expats.
Are you already in Dubai on visit visa and wish to continue your stay? This is the right time to consider your possibilities and take a step towards more permanent and fulfilling life in UAE. Your dream of residing in Dubai is quite achievable with the right sponsorship and at the right time.
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