January 31, 2025

Many people consider Dubai their dream destination because it offers opportunities for work and settlement, as well as investment possibilities and sightseeing. Before you purchase your flight ticket, you need to understand different types of visa in Dubai. Having knowledge about different visa choices enables precise planning of your stay, as well as selecting the best visa type that matches your requirements. Below, we have listed 11 different types of visa in Dubai:   1. Tourist Visa 2. Visit Visa 3. Transit Visa 4. Student Visa 5. Employment Visa 6. Freelance Visa 7. Investor Visa (Golden Visa) 8. Retirement Visa 9. Family Visa 10. Mission Visa 11. Remote Work Visa   1. Tourist Visa The tourist visa serves visitors who want to explore Dubai for recreational purposes or to meet friends and family. Tourist visas in Dubai typically last for 30 or 90 days before they can be extended twice for additional 30-day periods. One major perk? The flexibility! How many times you will visit Dubai depends on whether you request a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Benefits: Easy application process Multiple-entry option available Extension flexibility 2. Visit Visa Visitors receive a visit visa equivalent to a standard tourist visa for the purpose of family or friend visits. It usually lasts 30, 60, or 90 days. Benefits: Extended validity compared to tourist visas Can be sponsored by a relative or friend in Dubai Ideal for long-stay visits 3. Transit Visa A transit visa serves as the ideal choice for travelers who need to explore Dubai during layovers longer than 8 hours. The visa duration extends between 48 and 96 hours based on your planned travel schedule. Regular travelers should consider obtaining a transit visa (also known as a 96-hour transit) when they need to reach their final destination. The national airlines provide transit visa pickup services to their passengers. The granting of this visa depends on Dubai immigration department approval, which makes it a guaranteed visa. The price for a transit visa starts at AED 50. Benefits: No fees for 48-hour visas Perfect for short Dubai layovers Hassle-free application through airlines 4. Student Visa International students are increasingly choosing Dubai as their study destination because of its outstanding universities. Students who study at UAE-based educational institutions can obtain a student visa, which remains valid for one year and allows annual renewals. The student visa exists exclusively for international students who want to study at Dubai educational institutions.  Students need to obtain an admission letter from their university along with passing medical fitness tests and a visa sponsor who can be the university or a parent or relative approved by the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to apply for this visa. The visa’s validity is 1 year. Benefits: Access to top universities in Dubai Opportunity to work part-time while studying Renewable for the duration of your studies 5. Employment Visa Your employer from UAE will provide an employment visa sponsorship after you secure a job in Dubai, UAE. The employment visa enables legal residence and work opportunities in the UAE for a period of two to three years. Benefits: Renewable without leaving the country Provides a pathway to residency Allows access to UAE labor benefits 6. Freelance Visa The freelance visa enables independent professionals to establish their own business in Dubai. This visa proves fundamental for independent professionals seeking employment in educational technology and media sectors and fields related to technology across Dubai. The Freelancer Permit program includes this visa, which remains valid for one year before it can be renewed annually. The cost of a freelance visa in Dubai ranges from AED 7,500 to AED 20,000. The total price depends on several factors, including the work permit, establishment card, medical test, entry permit, and residency visa. Prices may also vary based on the free zone you choose. To know more contact AB Capital Services at www.abcapital.ae Benefits: No need for a local sponsor Ability to work with multiple clients Eligibility to apply for family sponsorship 7. Investor Visa (Golden Visa) Potential investors and entrepreneurs planning an operation in Dubai must consider applying for the Dubai Golden Visa. The Golden Visa gives residency rights to entrepreneurs combined with investors and highly qualified professionals and their families. The visa lasts for either five years or ten years. Business owners can obtain an investor visa.  The application process requires business license validity along with photographs and medical reports and passport documentation. To obtain this visa, the applicant must hold shares worth more than AED 70,000 and provide a refundable deposit of AED 10,000. The refundable amount will be returned to you after your visa cancellation process. Business owners who invest at least AED 500,000 or obtain approval from a business incubator program can obtain a five-year multiple entry visa. For applicants with less than AED 70,000 shares, the security deposit will be AED 20,000. You can read in-depth about UAE Golden Visa: https://abcapital.ae/uae-golden-visa-for-entrepreneurs/  Benefits: Long-term residency in the UAE No need for a local sponsor Full business ownership rights 8. Retirement Visa Expats who want to retire in Dubai can obtain a retirement visa if they are 55 years old or older and fulfill financial criteria. The retirement visa maintains validity for five years and provides renewal possibilities. Benefits: Residency stability after retirement Access to UAE healthcare services Enjoy Dubai’s tax-free benefits 9. Family Visa Dubai residents and workers can use their family visa to sponsor their spouse and children and parents. The visa remains valid for one to three years before renewal becomes possible. Benefits: Keeps families together Can be extended to include dependents No employment requirement for spouses 10. Mission Visa Dubai residents and workers can use their family visa to sponsor their spouse and children and parents. The visa remains valid for one to three years before renewal becomes possible. Benefits: Quick processing time Ideal for project-based work No long-term commitments required 11. Remote Work Visa The city of Dubai has established a one-year remote work