The UAE has a centralized visa system regulated by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) that governs immigration control and foreign resident management procedures across all seven emirates.
Key Types of UAE Visas:
- Employment visas are acquired through licensed in-country sponsors and tie workers to specific jobs/firms.
- Investor, retiree and family dependent visas provide long-term residency subject to financial conditions.
- Tourist visas permit 90-day stays for leisure travel but bar any work or long stays.
Application Process:
- Sponsors initiate applications online including medical tests, educational attestation.
- Biometrics are captured at enrollment centers along with supporting documents.
- Approvals involve security checks while rejections can be appealed through administrative procedures.
Takeaways:
Stringent yet efficient processing aims to facilitate investment and business operations while maintaining social cohesion. Frequent reforms optimize recruitment transparency and flexibility.