Residency in the Emirates of all types and conditions

Residence systems in the UAE vary to meet the needs of all expatriates, whether they are corporate employees or entrepreneurs seeking investment.

The country has a flexible legal and regulatory environment, which enhances the opportunities for stability and effective work. Residency in the UAE also allows individuals to enjoy high-level educational and health services, as well as safety and social stability.

About Emirates

Choosing the UAE as a study destination is a strategic and distinctive step for students looking for high-quality education in a dynamic and multicultural environment. Here are some reasons why the UAE is an ideal study destination:

• Residency in the Emirates hosts branches of prestigious international universities, such as New York University in Abu Dhabi and the Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi, in addition to advanced local universities such as the UAE University and Zayed University. These institutions offer advanced academic programs and internationally recognized degrees.

• The UAE includes diverse communities from all over the world, providing students with an educational experience rich in cultural and linguistic interaction. This diversity enhances global understanding and prepares students for a global job market.

• The UAE is considered one of the safest and most stable countries in the region, making it an ideal environment for international students to live and study without worrying about security risks.

• The UAE provides advanced infrastructure that includes a modern university campus, equipped libraries, and advanced laboratories, in addition to convenient public transportation and diverse sports and entertainment facilities.

• The UAE provides extensive opportunities for practical training and employment after graduation in various sectors, including technology, engineering, business, tourism, and medicine. This enhances students' opportunities to gain valuable practical experiences that contribute to enhancing their career path.

• The UAE is located in the heart of the world, making it an ideal connection point between East and West. It makes it easier for students to travel to different countries on their vacations, and to benefit from the geographical location in interacting with global markets.

• The UAE is committed to investing in education and scientific research, with the government allocating large budgets to support educational and research development. This is reflected in the provision of high-quality academic and research resources.

Cost of living in the UAE

The cost of living in the UAE varies greatly based on the city you live in and your lifestyle. However, here is an overview of the basic costs of living in the UAE:

• Dubai and Abu Dhabi: They are considered among the most expensive cities in the Emirates. Rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can range between AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 per month, while apartments in the suburbs may be less expensive.
• Sharjah and Ajman: These are less expensive options, as the rent for a one-bedroom apartment ranges between 3,000 to 6,000 AED per month.
• It includes utility costs such as electricity, water, cooling, internet and mobile phone, and may range between 500 to 1,500 AED per month depending on the size of the unit and its use.
• The monthly food cost per person can range from AED 1,500 to AED 3,000, depending on lifestyle and dining preferences (eating at home vs. eating out in restaurants).
• Eating out in restaurants can cost between 30 to 100 AED per meal in average restaurants.
• Using public transportation such as the metro and buses in Dubai costs around 300 to 500 AED per month.
• The costs of owning a car include fuel (about 2.5 dirhams per liter), insurance (1,200 to 4,000 dirhams annually), and maintenance.

• Health insurance is a basic requirement, and its costs can range from 1,000 to 5,000 AED annually, depending on the level of coverage.
• Private health care costs can be high without insurance.

• Entertainment costs (cinema, sports clubs, entertainment activities) can range from 500 to 2,000 AED per month.

• If you have children, private school education can be expensive, with tuition fees ranging from AED 20,000 to AED 100,000 per year, depending on the school and curriculum.

In total, the monthly cost of living for an individual in the UAE can range between 7,000 to 15,000 AED, while these costs may rise for families depending on their needs and lifestyle. It is necessary to plan well and prepare a budget that suits your capabilities and lifestyle to ensure a comfortable living experience in the Emirates.

Types of residence in the Emirates

There are many types of accommodation in the Emirates to suit different groups and needs. Among the available types:

• Ordinary residency (worker residency): This residency is granted to employees and workers in the public and private sectors. It is issued by the company or institution that employs the worker, and is linked to the employment contract.
• Golden Residency: It is considered one of the newest types of residency in the Emirates, and targets specific categories such as investors, entrepreneurs, scholars, and specialists in certain fields. This residency allows its holder to live in the country for up to 10 years with automatic renewal.
• Investor Residency: Granted to investors who inject capital into the local economy, whether through purchasing real estate or establishing companies. This residency offers the advantage of long-term stability and the opportunity to grow the business in a thriving economic environment.
• Self-employment residency (freelance): It allows individuals who are self-employed or who provide independent services to apply for a residence permit without the need for a traditional sponsor.
• Student Residency: Issued to international students studying at UAE universities and institutes, enabling them to reside throughout the period of their studies.

Each of these types comes with specific conditions and procedures, and allows its holder to benefit from the many benefits offered by residency in the Emirates.

Conditions for golden residency in the Emirates

Golden residency in the UAE is one of the most prominent initiatives launched by the country to attract talent and investments from all over the world. This residency grants its holder many benefits, including long-term residency of up to 10 years with automatic renewal. Below are the most important conditions for obtaining golden residency:

• The investor must own one or more properties with a total value of no less than AED 2 million.
• For corporate investors, they must have a significant stake in the company or create a new company with a significant financial contribution.

• The applicant must have a successful and existing economic project in the Emirates, or an innovative project idea approved by the competent authorities.
• The project must be established and able to generate sustainable revenues.

• It is awarded to people with exceptional talent in fields such as science, medicine, engineering, arts, and technology.
• The applicant must provide a certificate or evidence of his achievements from a recognized body.

• It is awarded to students who achieve high academic averages in UAE schools and universities.
• It is required to achieve a grade point average of no less than 95% in secondary schools or for the student to be among the top 10% of university graduates.

• It includes workers in fields considered to be of strategic importance to the country, such as medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence, and space.

Obtaining golden residency requires fulfilling the conditions for each category, in addition to submitting the necessary papers and documents for the application to be evaluated by the relevant authorities in the Emirates.

Regular residency conditions (worker residency)

Regular residency in the Emirates (labor residency) is intended for individuals who wish to work in the country for government or private companies or institutions. In order for a person to be able to obtain labor residency, a number of conditions and requirements must be met, including the following:

• The applicant must have a valid employment contract with a company or institution licensed in the Emirates.
• The contract must clearly specify the type of work, salary, and working hours.

• Labor residency is issued based on the sponsorship of the employer (company or institution), who is responsible for the legal procedures for submitting the residency application.
• The sponsor must be licensed and have a valid commercial record.

• The applicant must undergo a medical examination in centers approved by the UAE authorities, and the examination must be free of infectious diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis.

• The procedure begins with obtaining a work visa from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which is then converted into a labor residency.
• The applicant must enter the country within the validity period of the visa.

• The worker must apply for an Emirates ID card upon his arrival in the country, as it is considered an essential part of the residency documents.

• The worker must have health insurance according to local regulations. In some emirates, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, health insurance is mandatory.

• Some professions require specific academic qualifications or professional licenses issued by relevant local authorities (such as doctors and engineers).

After all these conditions are met, a residence permit is issued in the Emirates for workers, which is usually valid for two to three years, subject to renewal, and allows its holder to reside and work in the Emirates legally.

Residence conditions for investors

Residency in the UAE for investors is considered one of the most prominent types granted to individuals who contribute to the local economy through large investments. To obtain this residency, applicants must meet several conditions that vary depending on the type of investment. The following are the most important conditions required:

• The investor must own one or several properties in the UAE with a total value of no less than 2 million UAE dirhams.
• The property must be fully owned by the investor and not mortgaged to any financing party.
• The property must be ready for residential or commercial use, and not under construction.

• The investor is required to establish a new company or own a large share in an existing company within the Emirates.
• The minimum invested capital must be no less than 2 million AED.
• The company must be registered in the country and engage in an active economic activity.

• The investor must provide evidence of his financial solvency, whether through his bank accounts or other assets.
• Ensure that the investor is able to bear the financial costs related to his residence and management of his investments.

• In some cases, the investor may be required to employ a certain percentage of UAE nationals in his company, especially if it is in strategic sectors.

• Like all UAE residents, the investor must obtain valid health insurance that covers him and his family members.

• The investor must pass a security check and be free of any criminal record.
• In addition to passing a medical examination to ensure that he is free of infectious diseases.

• The investor can obtain residency for up to 10 years, renewable, depending on the size of his investments and the duration of his economic commitment in the country.

Once these conditions are met and all required documents are submitted, the investor can obtain residency in the UAE for investors, which gives him many advantages, including enjoying long-term residency and the ability to grow his investments in a prosperous economic environment.

Residence conditions for studying in the Emirates

The validity period of residence permit in the UAE is usually one academic year. After the expiration of this period, the student can renew the residency based on continuing his studies and submitting the documents required for renewal, such as a letter of acceptance from the educational institution for the following academic year, proof of financial solvency, and an updated medical examination.

• The student must obtain official acceptance from one of the accredited universities or educational institutes in the Emirates.
• Admission must be in a study program recognized by the competent authorities.

• After gaining admission, the student must apply for a study visa. This visa is issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the emirate in which the educational institution is located.

• The student must provide evidence of his financial ability to cover study and living costs during his stay in the UAE.
• In some cases, the student may be required to provide financial guarantee from parents or sponsor.

• The student must undergo a medical examination in one of the approved centers within the Emirates, to ensure that he is free of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and AIDS.
• A medical examination is a prerequisite for issuing residency.

• The student must have valid health insurance that covers him throughout his stay in the UAE.
• Health insurance may be through the university or obtained independently.

• After obtaining the entry visa, the student must apply for study residency. Residency is usually issued for one academic year, renewable based on the student’s continuity of study.

• The student is required to adhere to the academic laws of the educational institution to which he belongs, and must maintain an acceptable academic average to ensure residency renewal.

• In some cases, the university or educational institute is the student's sponsor. In other cases, the sponsor can be a parent or relative residing in the UAE.

Renewal takes place annually until the end of the study program in which the student is enrolled. It is important that the student begins the renewal procedures before the expiration of the current residence permit to ensure the continuity of his legal residence in the country.

Is it possible to work while studying?

Yes, international students in the UAE can work while residing in the UAE, but there are conditions and regulations that must be adhered to. Below are the most important points related to working while studying:

• International students must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation if they wish to work while studying.
• The student must obtain approval from the university or educational institution where he or she is studying, which must be aware of and approve of the student's employment.
• Students are allowed to work part-time at the universities they study at or in companies located within the free zones. These free zones provide greater flexibility for students to work while studying.
• Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during their studies. During academic vacations, they may be allowed to work full-time.
• Students can work in multiple fields such as sales, marketing, hospitality, education, or any job that aligns with their fields of study. It is preferable that the work be linked to study to enrich the practical learning experience.
• Students must ensure that work does not negatively affect their academic performance, as they are expected to be committed to attending lectures and completing assignments on time.

Conditions for establishing self-employment (freelance)

Self-employment residency (Freelance) Residency in the Emirates is one of the desirable options for many professionals who want to work independently without the need for a traditional sponsor. Below are the most important conditions and requirements for obtaining self-employment residency:

• The applicant must obtain a license to practice self-employment from one of the free zones in the Emirates that provides this type of license, such as the Dubai Outsourcing Zone, the Sharjah Publishing Zone, or others.
• Applying for a license requires submitting necessary documents such as a CV, samples of previous work, and any relevant certificates.

• The applicant must have experience or professional qualifications in the field in which he wishes to work as a freelancer. This experience may include years of work in this field or recognized professional certificates.

• The applicant must provide evidence of his financial ability to support himself during the period of residence. This may require submitting a bank statement showing sufficient funds or future business contracts with clients.

• Like all residents of the Emirates, the freelancer must obtain health insurance that covers him throughout his stay. Insurance must be valid and cover basic health care needs.

• After obtaining a self-employment license from the free zone, the applicant can apply for a residence visa. This process requires submitting all required documents, such as passport, personal photos, medical examination certificate, and security clearance.

• The applicant must undergo a comprehensive medical examination to ensure that he is free of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and AIDS.
• The applicant must also pass a security check to ensure there is no criminal record.

• The residency is usually valid for one year, and is renewable based on the continuity of the license and compliance with the specified conditions. The freelancer must renew the residency before it expires to ensure continuity of work and residency legally.

• The freelancer must adhere to all local laws and regulations related to practicing self-employment in the Emirates, including paying taxes, if any, and adhering to contractual terms with clients.

These conditions aim to regulate the freelance market and ensure that the freelancer is able to contribute positively to the local economy while maintaining his legal rights.

Cost of accommodation in the Emirates

Labor accommodation cost:

• Government fees: approximately 5,000 to 7,000 AED (including fees for obtaining a work visa, medical examination, and Emirates ID card).
• Costs covered by the sponsor: Usually borne by the employer or sponsor.

The cost of golden residency in the Emirates

• Government fees: About 4,000 to 5,000 AED to submit the application, and the cost may vary based on the residency category and duration (5 or 10 years).
• Additional costs: medical examination and Emirates ID card fees.

Cost of accommodation for investors:

• Government fees: ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 AED depending on the size of the investment and the type of license.
• License fees: May range from 10,000 to 50,000 AED annually depending on the free zone or type of investment.

The cost of establishing freelance work:

• Government fees: approximately 7,500 to 15,000 AED annually.
• License fees: ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 AED annually depending on the free zone.

Cost of study accommodation:

• Government fees: approximately 2,500 to 3,000 AED (includes entry visa fees, medical examination, and Emirates ID card).
• University fees: Some universities may charge additional fees for accommodation or visa services.

Here is a table showing the cost of accommodation in the UAE by type: