How to Obtain a Residency Visa as a Dubai Property Owner | ExpatWoman.com
 

How to Obtain a Residency Visa as a Dubai Property Owner

Want to or already own property in Dubai? Here's a detailed guide on getting your residency visa

Posted on

25 January 2016

Last updated on 18 June 2018
How to Obtain a Residency Visa as a Dubai Property Owner

If you're looking to purchase or already own property in Dubai, here's a detailed guide to gaining your residency visa...

The rules surrounding property-related visas here in the UAE have changed over the years, however as it stands, either a six-month multi-entry visa or a two-year residency visa is available depending on your circumstances. It is important to point out that individuals are unable to work on these types of visas.

Before you get started, while each type is available, there are variances in requirements and regulations that you should know before starting the process.

6 month multi-entry residency visa regulations

  • The property must be worth in excess of AED 1 million, and must be for one property only
  • Usually the title deed is in one name, and only that person can apply for residency
  • The property must be complete and suitable to live in
  • These visas must be renewed every 6 months

2 year residency visa regulations

  • The property must be worth at least AED 1 million
  • The property must be fully habitable
  • The property must be owned outright without a mortgage

To guide you through the entire procedure for obtaining your two-year residency visa based on owning a Dubai property, we've outlined the exact steps for you with the help and first hand experiences from an EWer!

Obtaining a residency visa as a Dubai property owner

Step 1: Visit the Land Department in Deira

The first step is to visit the Land Department, here you should be informed that you have to provide the following:

  • The Title Deed
  • Passports for yourself (and spouse/family if applicable)
  • Photographs of yourself (and spouse/family if applicable)
  • Details of exisiting visa(s)
  • Dubai Police letter confirming of yours (and spouse/family if applicable) good record (see step 2)

At this point, the overall costs for your visa should be outlined for the first two years, and the additional charges for renewals of visas and your trade licence. For example:

  • AED 11,000 for your residency visa for two years
  • AED 5,000 for your spouse's residency visa (if applicable) for two years
  • AED 2,000 for following two years
  • AED 8,440 after fourth year, for renewal of trade licence 

In the Land Department, you will be required to hand over your Title Deed and passports, and you will be provided with a letter in Arabic, which is to be taken to the Dubai Police to get your letter confirming yours (and your spouse/family if applicable) good record. 

Step 2: Visit Dubai Police HQ, Dubai-Sharjah highway

Hand over the letter provided by the Land Department with copies of your passports. You may not require your passport copies if you previously have had an Emirates ID, but best to take just incase. 

Here you will be charged a AED 220 fee for each Dubai Police letter, and your letter(s) should be returned to you within two working days.

! Remember to keep your receipts with you when you return to collect, it will be helpful.

SEE ALSO: A guide to opening your Dubai bank account

Step 3: Return to the Land Department in Deira

Once you have your good conduct letter(s) in hand, you should return to the Land Department to begin the paperwork for your residency visa. You will need:

  • Attested marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • The Title Deed
  • Letter from the mortgaging bank to the Lands Department 
  • A copy of a DEWA bill
  • Passport copies
  • Passport photos
  • Dubai Police good conduct letter(s)

At this point you may be informed that you need to get a confirmation of your mortgage redemption and a Title Deed with a scannable code, which you may obtain at another Land Department office... In order to do this, you will need to take your Title Deed, bank letter and copies of your passport and entry visa page to the nearest estate registration trustee department and pay approximately AED 1,590 to cover various small costs.

How to Obtain a Residency Visa as a Dubai Property Owner

You will then be given a Taskeen Application, and will be required to pay AED 420 for the application fee. Your application will be submitted and you'll be informed that it should take between three to four working days. You will be contacted to inform you that your application has been approved or rejected. 

If approved, visit the Land Department once again to pay further costs. Here you'll find the cost only covers your own residency visa, and not your spouse's... Once you have obtained your own, you will then be required to sponsor your spouse. 

The cost here should cover:

  • AED 8,000 DED License Issuance
  • AED 400 Establishment Card Fees
  • AED 20 for Knowledge Dirham
  • AED 10 for Innovation Dirham

Then you will be required to visit the Immigration section of the Land department to make an application, which will cost AED 3,000. After your application is ready, you will receive a Professional License sheet. 

Step 4: Typing Pool, Land Department in Deira

With all documents to hand, you will need to visit the typing pool to receive an entry permit, that is valid for two months. Here you will be required to pay AED 1,100, which covers the following:

  • AED 100 Service fee
  • AED 100 Issuance charge
  • AED 150 for application
  • AED 10 Knowledge Dirham
  • AED 650 for inside UAE fee
  • AED 10 for Service fee

After this, you will be issued a pink entry form and a visa change status form will be needed. 

Still in the typing pool of the Land Department, hand over your pink form and change status form, along with passport copies, photos and your Title Deed. The typist here will produce your medical application as well as your Emirates ID application.

Here you will pay AED 2,490, which covers the following:

  • AED 660 Land Department Immigration
  • AED 710 Residency Stamping
  • AED 750 Medical VIP
  • AED 370 Emirates ID

SEE ALSO: Residency visa procedures for new born baby in Dubai

Step 5: Medical Fitness Centre

Here you will complete your medical examination required for any UAE residency visa, which includes a blood test and x-ray. 

Step 6: Visit the Immigration Section of Land Department, Deira

Take all of your important documents with you, and you'll need to sign the application form, after which, your new two year visa will be placed into your passport. 

Helpful tips and advice 

  1. Make and take photocopies of all documents and passports
  2. Take an adequate amount of passport photos
  3. Take sufficient cash, including change for photocopy machines
  4. Make a note of all receipts, and preferably get copies as sometimes they're retained
  5. Ensure that you have the letter from the mortgaging bank to the Lands Department 
  6. Use the metro or taxis for Dubai Police headquarters; it's next to Al Qiyadah Station
  7. The Land Department is walking distance from Union Station
  8. The cashier at the Land Department does not begin work until 9am

Obtaining your spouse's residency visa as Dubai property owner

Step 1: Visit to Land Department in Deira

Take a copy of your residency visa page in your passport, as well as both of your passports, your attested marriage certificate and two photographs of your spouse. 

Your spouse will be required to fill in a form with the relevant details, and an entry permit should be produced, which is valid for two months. At this point, you will need to pay AED 1,100. 

Step 2: Immigration at Land Department in Deira

After this, you will be instructed to pay a deposit of approximately AED 3,260, which covers: 

  • AED 3,040 for Investor Family Guarantee
  • AED 220 for File of Resident Sponsor

You will then meet with a member of staff, who should issue a pink entry form. The deposit of AED 3,040 is refundable on cancellation of the sponsorship, so your receipt should be kept safe. 

Step 3: Typing Pool at Land Department in Deira

At this point you will need to hand over the pink entry form as well as both of your passports and you will be given a change status forum, which costs AED 500  with a service fee of AED 10. 

How to Obtain a Residency Visa as a Dubai Property Owner

Your spouse's medical application and Emirates ID application can begin here, providing you have your spouse's old residency visa and old Emirates ID, together with passport photos and the completed medical application. Your spouse's Emirates ID should be completed now, and it should be delivered to you within 2 - 3 weeks. Ensure you keep a copy of the registration. 

You will also be required to pay AED 2,390, which covers:

  • AED 710 Land Department Immigration
  • AED 660 for Change of Status
  • AED 750 Medical VIP
  • AED 270 Emirates ID

Step 4: Medical Fitness Centre

Your spouse will be required to complete their medical examination required for any UAE residency visa, which includes a blood test and x-ray.

Step 5: Immigration of Land Department at Deira

Take all of your important documents with you and your spouse, and you'll need to sign the application form for your spouse's new two year residency visa, which will then be placed into their passport.

Helpful tips and advice

  1. Make and take photocopies of all documents and passports
  2. Take an adequate amount of passport photos
  3. Take sufficient cash, including change for photocopy machines
  4. Make a note of all receipts, and preferably get copies, as they are sometimes retained
  5. Have a copy of your marriage certificate attested, or take old passports showing that the wife has been sponsored for at least 5 years

***

Et voilà... There you have it! 

 
 

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