UA E Bu sin e ss S e t u p G u i d e s UAE Visas for Your Dependents www.vz.ae
Index 4 Application criteria Obtaining and activating the entry permit 3 6 Quick facts Visas for your dependents 2 1 Emirates ID card registration and medical fitness test 7 Visa stamping 8 Ready to get started?
Visas for your dependents Once your business is up and running in the UAE and you as the business owner have your visa, you are then in a position to get a UAE visa for your family or those you hire for your household (for example, maid, driver, nanny). These visas are often referred to as "dependent visas, and in order to obtain one, the sponsor a current UAE resident must be earning at least the salary minimum as dictated individually by each emirate. The process of applying for the visa which remains valid for a period of anywhere from one to three years is incredibly simple, and made up of four stages: entry permit, status adjustment, medical fitness test and Emirates ID registration and visa stamping. Before any application can begin, however, the entry criteria for those you are hoping to sponsor must be met. 1
Quick facts To sponsor a spouse or child, you must earn the salary minimum dictated by each emirate (amount varies). To sponsor your parents, you must earn a certain minimum salary which varies per emirate, and be renting an apartment or villa with at least three bedrooms. Dependent visas are valid for different time periods and depend on the designation (example, a visa for a maid is valid for one year). Emirates ID registration and a medical fitness test is compulsory for everyone wishing to reside in the UAE. 2
Application criteria Along with a visa application form, the visa applicant will be required to submit a copy of a valid passport, a fully legalised birth certificate, and fully legalised marriage certificate (if your spouse), as well as a copy of all relevant qualifications. You must also provide information regarding your employment status such as salary certificate and company licence copy. The full list of required documents is as follows: Visa application Marriage certificate Birth certificate (if applicable) Colour copy of passport of sponsor and dependent Emirates ID card copy of sponsor UAE residence visa copy of sponsor A copy of your company license Original salary certificate of sponsor A colour copy of your immigration card A colour copy of your university degree or other relevant qualifications together with legal Arabic translation Tenancy contract and Ejari or title deed 3
Obtaining and activating the entry permit The entry permit is essentially a document which allows the holder to enter the UAE, giving the applicant 60 days to progress to the next stages of the visa application. It is a mandatory first step, and the process for applying for the entry permit is relatively straightforward. One simply needs to fill in the application form and supply the documentation listed above, and the entire process can take as little as 10 working days. Once the entry permit has been received, it must now be activated by performing what is called a status adjustment. 4
Obtaining and activating the entry permit One way to do this is an In Country Status Adjustment where the individual is already in the country. This is the most straightforward method and simply involves paying a fee and submitting the applicant s passport for activation of the entry permit by Fujairah immigration. Another way is known as an Out of Country Status Adjustment, and this applies when the applicant is outside of the UAE when the permit is received, or if they are planning to leave the country shortly after receiving the permit. In this instance, the entry permit is simply presented at immigration on re-entry to the UAE where it is then stamped and activated. 5
Emirates ID card registration and medical fitness test Once your dependent's entry permit has been activated, he or she must register for an Emirates ID card and undergo a medical fitness test. The medical fitness test is applicable for those over 18 years of age, and includes a blood test and chest X-ray. This usually takes about 40 minutes, with results available after just two working days. Once given the all clear, the application moves to the fourth and final stage: visa stamping. For first-time Emirates ID card holders, there will be a capture of biometrics which involves finger printing and a retina eye scan. 6
Visa stamping This stage of the application is the part that makes everything official, and sees the actual UAE residency visa affixed to your dependent's passport a process commonly known as visa stamping. This final stage involves the applicant sending his or her passport to immigration so that the visa can be applied to one of the pages. It is important to note at this stage that the applicant will not be able to leave the UAE until the passport is returned. This can take up to 15 working days sometimes shorter and sometimes longer. Once complete, the individual is officially a resident of the United Arab Emirates. 7
Ready to get started? Virtuzone has helped thousands register a free zone company in the UAE, and about 80% renew with us each year going forward. Find out why we are the UAE company setup experts of choice by getting in touch with us today. Phone : +971 4457 8200 Email : info@vz.ae Office 404, Building B, Al Saaha Offices Souk Al Bahar - Old Town Island Burj Khalifa District, Dubai United Arab Emirates Drop-in hours: 9:00 AM 6:00 PM www.vz.ae