Dubai has introduced several residency options that do not require traditional work permits, offering a unique opportunity for foreign nationals to reside in the emirate without being tied to employment. These residency programs are particularly beneficial for investors, entrepreneurs and individuals seeking long-term stays without work authorisation. We provide a comprehensive overview of the issuance of residency without work permission, explaining the eligibility criteria, application process and key benefits.
Issuance of Residency Without Work Permission In Dubai
A key benefit of buying real estate in Dubai is the issuance of a property investment visa. Investors can experience the charm of living in a futuristic city with this option. It is also possible to obtain a Dubai residence visa without employment. Detailed below are the requirements for obtaining a residence visa for different applicant profiles.
Issuance of a Residence Permit For The Retired Foreigner
A retired foreign national will be granted a residence permit without a sponsor or host in the country for five years, renewable under the same conditions as when it was initially issued.
Required Documents
The documents required for issuing a residence permit for the retired foreigner are:
For foreign retired real estate owner
- Copy of passport
- Proof of real estate ownership or an evaluation of the property issued by the Land and Property Department
Foreign pensioner with a deposit
- A personal photo
- Copy of passport
- Certificate of financial deposit
- Confirmation of the deposit transfer to the country
Foreign pensioner with annual income
- A personal photo
- A copy of the passport
- Bank account statement for the last six (6) months
- A letter from an official body confirming the source of income
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions are as follows:
- The foreigner must have completed a minimum of 15 years of service, either within or outside the country and must be at least 55 years old (Gregorian calendar).
- One of the following two conditions must be met:
1- Ownership of one or more properties in the country, with a total value of at least AED 1,000,000, based on purchase or market value. The evaluation must be conducted by the competent authority in the emirate. Additionally, the individual must have a deposit of no less than AED 1,000,000, either inside or outside the country, which must be transferred and deposited in a financial institution within the country within 60 days from the date of residence issuance—unless the deposit value is invested within the country.
2- A guaranteed annual income of no less than AED 240,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency, regardless of whether it is earned within or outside the country. A bank statement for the last six months from the date of residency application is required as proof.
- In accordance with condition (a), if the property is mortgaged, the mortgaged title deed is accepted, provided the paid amount toward releasing the mortgage is not less than AED 1,000,000 at the time of applying for residence.
Issuance Of A Residence Permit For Foreigner Family Members
Both male and female foreign residents are permitted to bring their family members into the country, including their spouse and children under 25, as well as unmarried daughters. In accordance with the regulations, children with special needs can also be brought in, regardless of age. The family members will reside with the guarantor or head of the family for the duration of the agreement.
Required Documents
Listed below are the documents required for issuance of residency without work permission for foreign family members.
- A recent color photograph of the sponsored individual against a white background.
- Copy of the passport.
- A valid medical examination approved by the concerned authorities if the person is over 18 years old.
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions for issuing residency permit for family members are as follows:
- This category is nominated by the Dubai Future Foundation in Dubai.
- The entrepreneur must own a pioneering project registered with the Ministry of Economy or relevant local authorities, generating an annual income of AED 1 million.
- Suitable housing must be provided for family members.
- Kinship must be proven.
Issuance Of A Residence For Family Members Of GCC Citizens
This service allows wives and children of Gulf Cooperation Council nationals holding foreign passports to obtain a residence permit.
Required Documents
Listed below are the documents required for the issuance of a residence for family members of GCC citizens.
- A recent color photo of the sponsored person with a white background.
- A copy of the passport.
- A valid medical examination approved by the relevant authorities for individuals over 18 years old.
Issuance Of A Residency Permit For A Student
A foreign student enrolled in an accredited university, college, educational institution or research institute in the country is granted a residence permit. Employment is not required, for this service as the educational institution acts as the student’s host and guarantor.
Required Documents
The documents required for issuing a residency permit to a student are as follows:
- A recent coloured personal photo with a white background for the sponsored person
- Copy of passport
- A valid medical examination approved by the concerned authorities
- ID receipt
- Health insurance
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions for this type of residency are listed below:
- The university, college, institute, research centre or similar entity must hold a valid license to operate in the country.
- Approval must be obtained from the Ministry of Education or the relevant educational authority in the emirate, as applicable.
Issuance Of The Virtual Work Residence Permit
A foreigner working remotely for an organization outside the country is granted a residence permit for virtual work without the need for a guarantor or host within the country. The permit is valid for one year and is subject to renewal.
Required Documents
Documents required for issuing a virtual work residence permit are:
- A coloured personal photo (compulsory)
- Copy of the passport of the service beneficiary (compulsory)
- Copy of health insurance (compulsory)
- Medical fitness test result (compulsory)
- Proof of remote work outside the UAE (compulsory)
- Salary certificate showing $3,500 or its equivalent in foreign currency (compulsory)
- ID receipt (compulsory)
Mandatory and optional documents may vary based on the information provided in the application.
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions are listed below:
- The applicant must provide proof that the work is performed remotely for an organization outside the country.
- The applicant must submit documentation showing a minimum monthly income of $3,500 (USD) or its equivalent in other currencies.
Issuance Of A Residence Permit For The Owner of A Property
A foreigner who owns real estate within the country is granted a residence permit without requiring a guarantor or host inside the country.
Required Documents
Here are the documents required for the application:
- A copy of the passport
- A recent personal photo with a white background
- Real estate ownership certificate
- Salary certificate or employment contract proving a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies.
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions are as follows:
- The property must be fully constructed; the yard is not included as part of the landowners.
- A certificate of ownership must be submitted from the competent real estate registration authority in the country.
- The property must be entirely owned by the applicant or at least AED 2 million must have been paid toward its value. The property may also be financed through a loan from a local bank in the country.
- The property must be suitable for habitation.
- The applicant must have a monthly income of no less than AED 15,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies or demonstrate financial solvency throughout their stay in the country.
Issuance Of A Residence Permit For Humanitarian Cases
A foreigner may be granted a one-year residence permit based on their humanitarian situation. The permit may be renewed if a guarantor or host is available.
Required Documents
Here are the documents required for the residence permit for humanitarian cases:
To Sponsor Mother And Father
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Salary certificate (government) or work contract (private) with a minimum salary of AED 10,000; if the sponsor is a partner/investor, partnership contract, trade license and partners’ appendix
- Attested tenancy contract suitable for family size
- Bank statement for the last 3 months
To Sponsor Wife’s Father And Mother-In-Law
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Salary certificate or work contract as above
- Attested lease contract suitable for family size
- Bank statement for the last 3 months
To Sponsor Wife And Children (If Salary Under AED 4,000)
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Attested marriage certificate
- Attested birth certificate
- Bank statement for the last 3 months
- Attested tenancy contract suitable for family size
To Sponsor Children (If Combined Salary Under AED 4,000)
- Copy of sponsor’s passport (both husband and wife)
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Salary certificate or employment contract
- Attested marriage certificate (translated to Arabic)
- Attested birth certificates
- Bank statements (last 3 months) for both
- Attested tenancy contract suitable for family size
To Sponsor Brothers And Sisters
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Copy of previous residence (if any)
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership contract if applicable)
- Attested tenancy contract suitable for family size
- Bank statements for the last 3 months
- Parents’ sponsorship required first (except in cases of death or divorce)
- For divorced or widowed sister: residence permit cancellation from ex-husband and unmarried letter
To Sponsor Wife’s Children
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Copy of mother’s residence permit
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership documents)
- Attested birth certificate
- Bank statements for the last 3 months
- Attested tenancy contract suitable for family size
- Certified no-objection letter from father (if issued outside country)
- Attested will if the father is deceased (if issued outside UAE)
To sponsor children aged 18 and over:
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership documents)
- Study continuity letter or university graduation certificate (attested if issued abroad)
In Case Of Guardianship
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership documents)
- Attested tenancy contract suitable for family size
- Attested birth certificate
- Bank statement for the last 3 months
- Court-issued guardianship certificate, duly authenticated
In Case Of Adoption
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership documents)
- Attested lease contract suitable for family size
- Attested birth certificate
- Bank statement for the last 3 months
- Adoption certificate issued by court, with no objection for travel, duly authenticated
To Sponsor Divorced And Widowed Women
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Proof of income
- Proof of residence in UAE
- Divorce certificate (attested if issued abroad)
- Death certificate of husband (attested if issued abroad)
- Previous residence under divorced or deceased spouse
To Sponsor Children Of Divorcees And Widows
- Copy of mother’s passport and residency
- Proof of income
- Proof of residence
- Divorce certificate (attested if issued abroad)
- Death certificate of father (attested if issued abroad)
- Previous residence under divorced or deceased spouse
To transfer sponsorship of father/mother or wife’s parents
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- A letter stating reasons for the transfer
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership documents)
- Attested lease contract suitable for family size
- Bank statement for the last 3 months
To Transfer Sponsorship Of Brothers And Sisters
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport and previous residence
- Letter stating reasons for the transfer
- Undertaking letter not to marry
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership documents)
- Attested tenancy contract suitable for family size
- Bank statement for the last 3 months
To Sponsor Daughter-In-Law (Resident Sponsor)
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Copy of son’s passport and residency (same sponsor)
- Attested marriage certificate (if issued abroad)
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership documents)
- Attested lease contract suitable for family size
- Letter explaining reasons for sponsorship transfer (e.g., son under same sponsor, judicial ruling, unemployment, death, deportation, medical treatment or study abroad)
To Sponsor Grandchildren (Son’s Side, Resident Sponsor)
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Copy of son’s passport and residency (same sponsor)
- Attested birth certificate
- Attested tenancy contract suitable for family size
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership documents)
- Letter explaining reasons for the transfer (similar to above)
To sponsor grandchildren (daughter’s side, resident sponsor)
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Copy of daughter’s passport and residency (same sponsor)
- Attested birth certificate
- Attested tenancy contract suitable for family size
- Salary certificate or employment contract (or partnership documents)
- Letter explaining reasons for transfer (similar to above)
To Sponsor Grandchildren (National Sponsor)
- Copy of sponsored person’s passport
- Copy of son or daughter’s passport and residency (same sponsor)
- Attested birth certificate
- Letter explaining reasons for transfer (similar to above)
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions for granting a residence permit to a foreigner with a guarantor who is related by blood ties (either relatives of the guarantor or relatives of the wife) are as follows:
- Kinship Requirements:
a. If the foreigner is related to a citizen of the country, the relationship must be proven regardless of its degree.
b. If the foreigner is related to a resident of the country or the resident’s wife, the following kinship degrees apply:- Relatives of the foreigner: father, mother and minor brothers, provided maintenance obligations are met.
- Relatives of the foreigner’s wife: wife’s father, wife’s mother and wife’s minor children, provided custody conditions are met.
Issuance Of Residency Without Work Permission Service Steps
The service steps for obtaining residency without work permission in Dubai for all categories are as follows:
Digital Channels (Website/Smart Application)
- Log in to the smart services system using UAE Pass or username.
- Search for the desired service.
- Fill in the application details, where required.
- Pay the service fee, if applicable.
Customer Happiness Center
- Visit the nearest Customer Happiness Center.
- Obtain an automated turn ticket and wait.
- Submit the application with all required conditions and documents to the customer service employee.
- Pay the service fee, if applicable.
Amer Service Center
- Visit the nearest Amer Service Center.
- Obtain an automated turn ticket and wait.
- Submit the application with all required conditions and documents to the customer service employee.
- Pay the service fee, if applicable
Service Channels
Service Availability Channels
Here are the available channels and their service hours:
- Digital Channels (Website/Smart Application)
Available 24/7 - Amer Service Centre:
Available during normal operating hours of Amer Centres.
Service Fees
The service fee details are listed below:
- Residence permit fee: AED 200
- Knowledge: AED 10
- Innovation: AED 10
- Fee inside the country: AED 500
- Delivery fee: AED 20
Please note that the issuance fee increases by AED 100 for each additional year if the residency period exceeds two years.
FAQs
How Long Does The Residency Issuance Process Take Without Work Permission In Dubai?
The residency issuance process without work permission in Dubai typically takes 48 hours.
Can Family Members Also Obtain Residency Without Work Permission In Dubai?
Yes, family members can also obtain residency in Dubai without work permission. There are however certain conditions to fulfill.
What Is Residency Without Work Permission In Dubai?
It is a type of residence permit granted to foreigners who live in Dubai without the need for a work visa or sponsorship from an employer.
This is everything to know about the issuance of residency without work permission in Dubai. The service allows individuals to get residency in Dubai and get a taste of life in the futuristic city.
People can also get a Golden Visa for buying off-plan properties in Dubai after investing a certain amount. Moreover, Golden Investor Visa in Abu Dhabi is available to get a chance to live in the capital city.
After visa approval, the first step is to find a property. Browse through these properties for rent in Dubai and explore the plethora of options available.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog to learn about different types of residency permits in Dubai and other emirates.
