The United Arab Emirates is a dynamic and diverse country. It attracts millions of different visitors annually for tourism, business, and residence. The various visa options can at times be confusing. To help you understand, we have outlined the primary types of UAE visas below.
Tourist Visa
The tourist visa is the most common among visitors to the UAE to experience rich culture, luxury shopping, and breathtaking landscapes that abound in the country. Such a visa shall, in general, be issued for 30-day periods but with an extension option at an additional cost. This type of visit visa would work best for people who intend to make short visits to see popular attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, Louvre Abu Dhabi, or the beaches of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Employment Visa
Any foreign national coming to UAE with the purpose of employment must apply for an Employment Visa. The visa will be processed by the employer as part of a more comprehensive procedure involving the obtaining of a work permit. An employment visa is usually valid for two to three years and can, upon expiration, be renewed. It enables expats to live and legally work in the UAE, with all the benefits that go with living in one of the world's most economically vibrant regions.
Freelance Visa
The Freelance Visa Dubai is the newest of these, dealing with the increasing percentage of freelancers and self-employed people working in the UAE. This allows individuals to render freelance services in fields such as media, technology, and education. Freelancers could easily sponsor themselves without having the need for a traditional employer. The same usually requires proof of relevant experience and periodic refreshment, as specified by the regulating free zone.
Job Seeker Visa
The Job Seeker Visa introduces another way to attract global talent into the country. This visa, having been introduced so that people can enter the country and look for work, usually allows holders to stay for 60, 90, or 120 days—sufficient time to seek different opportunities and crisscross the country in search of interviews. This is a great deal for those who intend to get firsthand experience with the job market and make informed decisions about employers they are likely to work with.
Freelance Visa
The newest of these is the Freelance Visa, which deals with the rising percentage of freelancers and self-employed people working in the UAE. It allows a person to render freelance services in fields such as media, technology, and education. Freelancers could easily sponsor themselves without having the need for a traditional employer. The same normally needs proof of relevant experience and its periodic refreshment, as specified by the regulating free zone.
Job Seeker Visa
The Job Seeker Visa offers another method of bringing talent from around the world into the country. This visa, recently introduced to be issued to people to allow them to enter the country and seek employment, allows holders, usually, for 60, 90, or 120 days—long enough to seek various opportunities and cover the country in search of interviews. This therefore becomes a very good deal for those who would like to get first-hand experience in the job market and hence make informed decisions about employers they are likely to work with.
Conclusion
Knowing the various types of UAE visas will help you as you travel or move to the United Arab Emirates. With choices for tourist visitors, seekers of work, freelancers, and the retired, UAE has different options available for prospective candidates. Always make sure to meet the requirements needed for the kind of visa applied for, and refer back to the official UAE immigration resources or consult your local UAE embassy for the most accurate information.
