Immigration
Immigration can be a key concern when relocating a business. The business founders, officers, employees and their families, all might need to be moved. The UAE does offer convenient options that will make you feel at ease
Jurisdictions certainly differ on attitudes to immigration. The Western states seem to have become more restrictive, but the MENA region is a pleasant exception and businessmen and their families are among those categories who are welcome here
Where a business relocation targets the UAE, immigration requirments mean obtaining a UAE residency visa. These typically require sponsorship by an employer, educational institution, family member. The sponsor takes responsibility for the individual during their stay in the country, and the visa is usually tied to the sponsor’s sponsorship.
A residency visa comes with access to local healthcare services, bank accounts, renting accomodation, and contracting for household utilities. A visa also serves for identification purposes within the UAE.
The duration and conditions of a UAE residency visa can vary depending on the type of visa, the sponsor, and the specific circumstances of the individual. Teh common types of UAE immigration visas are:
- Employment Visa: This type of visa is sponsored by a UAE employer and allows individuals to work and live in the country. The employer typically initiates the visa process, and the employee must meet certain criteria and provide necessary documentation.
- Investor/Partner Visa: This visa is designed for individuals who invest in a UAE company or establish a business partnership. The specific requirements and conditions vary depending on the emirate and the nature of the investment.
- Family Visa: This visa allows residents to sponsor their immediate family members, including spouses, children, and sometimes parents or siblings. The sponsoring resident must meet certain income and accommodation criteria.
Freelancer Visa: Some free zones in the UAE offer freelancer visas, which allow individuals to work as self-employed professionals. The visa is tied to a specific free zone and has specific regulations and requirements.
There are at least two related items to take into account when obatining a visa.
To obtain and renew a UAE visa, the applicant must undergo a medical examination in the UAE. A trivial thing to say, but such an examination requires your physical presence in the UAE. The good news is that a medical examination can be completed quickly.
Next, one must set aside some time to obtain an Emirates ID. An Emirates ID is a national identity card for UAE nationals and residents. A great deal of daily interactions, for example, with banks, authorities and phone carrier companies, require that an Emirates ID is presented. You will need to attend a local authority to provide biometric data for your Emirates ID and, naturally, this also requires your physical presence in the UAE.
And so there are several steps you may need to take to obtain the desired immigration status. But if the process is carefully managed all the procedures can be easily and quickly completed.
