VISA SOLUTIONS
New residence visa application
In order for an employee to stay and work legally in the UAE, it is mandatory for that person to hold a valid residence visa.
A residence visa is acquired through having a private, public or personal sponsorship from an authorized or registered sponsor, whether it is a local individual or a UAE company.
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Desert Global offers comprehensive visa solutions, covering new visa application, visa renewal, and visa cancellation.
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The following documents are required for visa applications
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If the application is sponsored by a registered company
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Copy of a valid establishment card of the sponsoring company
Copy of a valid trade license of the sponsoring company
Valid passport copy of the applicant (passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have 3 empty pages)
Group health insurance policy
Passed medical fitness test
Signed employment contract
Passport size photo with clear white background
Entry stamp or cancellation paper from previous employer
Emirates ID (EID) application form
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If the application is for a family or dependents visa
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It is important for the sponsor to know whether he or she is qualified to sponsor a family (spouse, children, parents or siblings):
- A sponsoring person must have a minimum salary of AED 10,000 to be able to sponsor a family member
- A valid tenancy contract has to be presented and the Ejari form the has to be under the sponsors name
Additional criteria applies for individuals sponsoring parents or women sponsoring family members.
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Following are the documents required to process a family visa:
Online application through a typing center or registered typing office for new visa application
Copy of the sponsors employment contract or company contract for investors
Salary certificate from the employer stating the sponsors' monthly salary
Legalized marriage certificate
Birth certificate for child
Registered tenancy contract
Latest utility bill
Passport photo of sponsored individual
Valid passport copy of the sponsored family member (passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have 3 empty pages)
Passed medical fitness for 18 years and above
Emirates ID application form
Health insurance policy
If the application is for visa renewal
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Requirements for UAE visa renewal are the same as listed for first time visas.
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Residence visas has to be renewed by the sponsor one month prior to visa expiration to avoid incurring fines or facing legal consequences.
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If a resident's visa has expired, the stay can legally be extended by a 30 day grace period from the expiration date or visa cancellation date.
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As per the UAE immigration's fines system, the following penalties apply if the resident stays on after the grace period ends:
AED 25 per day during the first 6 months (180 days)
AED 50 per day during the second 6 months (180 days)
AED 100 per day after passing a year and more.
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In case a visa has to be renewed prior to 1 month of the visa expiry date (e.g. for travel reasons), a special approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner’s Affairs has to be acquired.
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Cancelling your residence visa
Only the sponsor can cancel a residence visa.
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Important notes:
- An individual sponsoring his/her spouse, children and other dependents must cancel the dependents’ visas first before cancelling their own.
- A residence visa will be automatically cancelled if the resident stays outside of the country for more than 6 months continuously.