How to Get UAE Residency in 2026 – Complete Guide

What is a residence visa in UAE?

Getting a UAE residency visa can feel confusing. Information is scattered, different sources give different answers, the requirements and total budget change depending on your personal situation. From this complete guide, you will learn all the necessary information about visa types, requirements, timelines, basic procedures, and costs, as well as visa renewal and cancellation.

A residency visa allows foreign nationals to legally live, work, run a business, and open bank accounts in the UAE. Thanks to a 0% personal income tax, UAE residents can benefit from a lower local tax burden. By becoming a tax resident of UAE and obtaining a Tax Residency Certificate, you may be able to reduce taxes in other jurisdictions if Double Tax Treaty conditions apply.

There are different types of residence visas, and each has its own eligibility rules, requirements, processing timelines, and costs. Residence visas can be issued as short-term or long-term permits, typically for 1 to 10 years, and can be renewed or upgraded if the conditions are met.

Each visa has its own sponsorship basis—either a company, an employer, a family member, or an investment.

Residence visa sponsorship

Every residency permit requires an underlying basis provided by a sponsor.

Sponsorship Categories:

• Self-Sponsored: Achieved by establishing your own business or via long-term programmes.
• Corporate: Tied to a company licence on the mainland or in a free zone.
• Family: Residents sponsoring their spouse or children.

How to get residency in Dubai?

The exact process and required documents depend on the type of residence visa. In general, the procedure follows a standard step-by-step pathway.

UAE residence visa cost

The total cost of getting a UAE residence visa is built from a base visa fee plus the mandatory processing items that make the residency active: a medical fitness test and an Emirates ID. In some routes, you should also budget for health insurance, and in more specific cases — additional documents such as a police clearance certificate.

Here are the estimated UAE residence visa costs:

• 2-years residence visa Dubai cost: AED 4,650 (without insurance) and AED 5,750 (with insurance). This total reflects a typical 2-year structure: visa fee + medical + Emirates ID.
• 10-year Dubai residence visa cost: typically ranges between AED 4,650 to AED 10,140, depending on the investor pathway.
• 5-year Retirement visa: AED 8,950. This total includes a AED 7,000 visa fee + AED 750 medical + AED 1,200 Emirates ID.

Note that agency fees are not included in this estimate.

How long does it take to get residency in UAE

The processing time for converting a visa to a residence permit varies depending on the type of visa. Generally, it takes about 1–5 days for both 2-year visas and Golden Visas.

How to maintain UAE residency

You have to follow the established rules to keep your visa valid. If you're a frequent traveler or don’t live in the UAE, you need to re-enter the country every 6 months. In case you fail to do it, the visa will be canceled automatically and you will have to go through the process of residence visa renewal and pay the visa fee.

If you hold a Golden Visa, the 6-month rule does not apply—you may stay outside the UAE for an unlimited period without risking your residency.

If you have violated this requirement and have been absent from the UAE for more than 180 days, you can apply for a re-entry permit. To do this, you need to:

1. Submit an application from a country other than the UAE.
2. Provide a justification for the violation of the 180-day rule.
3. Pay a fine of 100 AED for every 30 days of absence.

Renewing, cancelling or switching your UAE visa

How to renew your UAE residency visa

Renewing your Dubai residence visa is often a simpler process than obtaining your first one. However, it does require a medical check and renewal of your Emirates ID. You will also need to provide the same grounds on which you received your previous visa (such as an investor, freelancer, or retiree visa).

The process of visa renewal begins by visiting a medical screening center 1-2 weeks prior to your visa expiration date. After completing the necessary tests, you can apply for your Emirates ID renewal. Once the results of the medical test and biometrics are ready, you get your residence visa. It’s issued electronically and is available through the UAEICP app.

How to cancel your visa

Usually, it is the sponsor of the visa who applies for its cancellation.

1. Self-Sponsored: Golden Visa holders or business owners can initiate the process themselves or through a PRO.
2. Family Visas: The head of the family (primary sponsor) must cancel all dependent visas before their own visa can be closed.
3. Employment Visas: Your employer must process the cancellation after you sign a final settlement of dues.

Canceling visa in the UAE

If you're in the UAE, you need to address your sponsor or apply to the issuing authority and wait for the cancellation.

Canceling visa outside of the UAE

If you're outside of the UAE, you need to have been absent for longer than six months to cancel without sending the original passport. If you've been away for less than six months and wish to cancel, you'll need to send your original passport to your company or a PRO for processing.

Where to apply for the visa cancellation?

UAE residence visas must be canceled by the same authority that issued them. These authorities can be: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs, Dubai (GDRFAD) for Dubai Mainland visas, represented by Tasheel or Amer, or Free Zones for visas issued by free zone companies.

For more information read our UAE Visa Cancelation Guide or contact the Emirabiz consultants.

How to switch visa type

Status change

If you are moving from a tourist visa to a residency visa, or changing your visa category (e.g., from employment to investor), you apply for a change of status while remaining inside the country. This is done automatically upon the submission of an application and payment of the status change Fee. There is no need to exit and re-enter the UAE.

Visa re-issuance

If your current residency must be fully terminated (e.g., when changing employers or ending family sponsorship), the process must be finished within the grace period, lasting between 30 to 180 days depending on your specific visa type.

Also, you will need to undergo a medical examination, and complete biometric data submission. After that, wait for the issuance of your new visa and Emirates ID.

Don’t forget to cancel your old visa before activating the new one! This is a prerequisite of a new visa issuance.

How to get permanent residency in Dubai

There is technically no such thing as "official" UAE permanent residency in the sense of an indefinite, non-expiring permit. In practice, residency in the United Arab Emirates has historically been tied to the employer or a family sponsor, with visas typically valid for only 2 years.

However, the introduction of the Golden Visa and Green Visa programmes has shifted the landscape. These represent a prestigious permanent residency programme in the UAE designed to offer long-term stability. While they remain renewable permits, their extended duration (5 to 10 years) and the removal of the need for a national sponsor make them the functional equivalent of PR in Dubai and the wider UAE.

Top benefits of UAE residency

Legal stay and business opportunities

A UAE residence visa allows you to live, work, start a business, study, enroll children in schools, access medical and educational services, use banking services, and rent or buy property and vehicles in the UAE.

No personal income tax

UAE residents do not pay income tax on salaries, investments, rental income, inheritance, or dividends. If the DTA conditions are met, you can apply for a Tax Residency Certificate to reduce your overall taxes.

Seamless bank transactions

Residents can open personal bank accounts, send and receive international money transfers without currency control, and access debit and credit cards.

Medical and educational benefits

UAE residents and their children can study in local schools and universities and receive high-quality healthcare services.

Low business tax environment

Residents can register a company, work as a freelancer, or engage in e-commerce. Business licenses can be obtained in UAE free zones or mainland. The corporate tax is 9%, the lowest in the Middle East, with exemptions for small businesses and free zone companies.

Obtaining a UAE driving license

To drive legally in the UAE, residents must pass the required tests and obtain a UAE driving license.

How Emirabiz can help

Emirabiz provides comprehensive support for foreigners looking to relocate or start a business in the UAE. Our consultants assist with every step of business setup in Dubai and relocation — from preparing applications and communicating with UAE authorities to obtaining licenses, visas, approvals, and opening bank accounts. The Emirabiz team knows how to optimize your visa costs in Dubai.

Our accounting and tax team helps with tax registration, filing returns, and audits, ensuring your business stays compliant. We are also ready to assist with visa and license renewals or cancellations, making your move and operations in the UAE smooth and hassle-free.

What's included in your free consultation

• Our specialists will walk you through the essentials of doing business in the UAE, including an overview of free zones, mainland, and offshore structures.
• They’ll discuss your goals and business activities to get a clear picture of your needs and priorities.
• Based on your profile, you’ll receive expert advice on the most suitable and cost-effective jurisdiction for your case, along with a plan for your business setup.