Please note that each visa category has different rules, terms & conditions for the UAE Residence Visa application in Dubai.

A welcome change was made by the UAE Government in March 2019 when they changed the basic condition for the sponsor from “profession” to “financial status”.

• In all the cases, the sponsor with a Residence Permit in UAE now needs to declare his/her financial status.
• This is to prove whether they can look after the dependent family member without needing any financial support, like state benefits or other such funds.

• A dependent son applying for the UAE Residence Visa must be below 18 years of age.
• A dependent son can be above 18 years of age but below 21 years of age if he or she is studying.

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• A dependent daughter applying for the UAE Residence Visa must be unmarried.

• Any expatriate can sponsor a stepchild subject to terms and conditions by GDRFA.
• The sponsor must submit a deposit for each stepchild.
• The sponsor must submit a no-objection certificate in writing from the other biological parent.

• A newborn child must also obtain a Residence Visa.
• You must apply within 120 days of childbirth.
• A fine of AED100 will be imposed per day thereon.
• The newborn child won’t be allowed to travel out of UAE without a valid Residence Permit.

• An expatriate sponsor can sponsor their dependent parents for 1 year (renewable).
• The expatriate cannot sponsor just 1 parent for the Residence Visa. He or she has to apply for both the parents.
• If the parents are divorced or one of them has passed away then an official document proving such a case must be attached along with the application.
• The sponsor must pay a deposit as a guarantee for each dependent parent.
• The sponsor must have a minimum salary of AED 20000 or AED 19000 plus a 2-bedroom house as accommodation.

• Make sure that you get the necessary medical tests done beforehand.
• UAE expects that all visa applicants must undergo an HIV test and a pulmonary Tuberculosis test in their respective countries before applying for a UAE Residence Visa.
• Even if an applicant does not undergo a medical test in their own country, they can take the medical test on arrival in Dubai.
  Note: These tests are crucial. An applicant is liable to be deported back to their home country if their tests are positive.

• Make sure you meet all the requirements before moving on to the UAE Residence Visa application.
• And one of the most basic requirements is to gather all the necessary documents required for the UAE Residence Visa application.
• These documents could vary depending on the relationship with the sponsor in Dubai.

Here are some general guidelines for photographs required in a UAE Residence Visa application:

• It should be the latest colour photograph. Not older than three months.
• It should be a passport-sized, digital photograph.
• It should be in a solid, plain white or grey background.
• It should be 35 mm by 50 mm in size. The face must be at the centre.
• It should show at least 80% of your full face.
• You should face the camera with normal expression and open eyes.
• Only prescription glasses allowed. No sunglasses or other accessories, except a hearing aid.
• You should dress suitably.

Note: Religious head-covers are allowed, provided they do not cover your face.

Before applying for a UAE Residence Visa, an applicant has to apply for another visa, which is, the Entry Permit Visa.

• An Entry Permit is a temporary visa that allows any migrant to officially enter and live in the UAE for a specific duration.     
  

Applying for an Entry permit visa is the first step towards your UAE Residence Visa application.

Once you obtain the Entry Permit Visa you become eligible to travel to Dubai.

Here are the different types of Entry Permit:

• Entry Permit - Employment
• Entry Permit - Family Visit
• Entry Permit - Tourism/Transit
• Entry Permit - Treatment
• Entry Permit - Mission
• Entry Permit - Attending Conferences

• After arrival in Dubai, you should undergo medical tests and await its results.
• If the medical test results are positive you will be deported back to your country of origin.
• And if the medical test results are negative you can apply for the UAE Residence Visa within 60 days of arrival in Dubai.
• You should inform the Embassy or Consulate about these test results.

Once you have performed steps 1, 2, 3 & 4 above, you can proceed towards your UAE Residence Visa application.

• You must apply for the UAE Residence Visa within 60 days of arrival in Dubai.
• You must have passed the necessary medical tests upon arrival to be eligible for this Residence Permit.
• You must visit your nearest embassy or consulate along with all the necessary documents for an interview.
• The documents required for a UAE Residence Visa are the same as that of the Entry Permit Visa.
  Note: The change in the status of your visa will be made if you meet all the requirements by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

The validity of your Residence Permit depends on the validity of your sponsor’s visa.

• The family member’s Residence Permit depends on the Residence Permit of the sponsor in Dubai. If the Residence Permit of the sponsor becomes invalid, the dependent family members’ permit also becomes invalid.
• The dependents however are granted a 30-day grace period from the expiry date of their visa to obtain a new Residence Permit.

If the expatriate sponsor in Dubai fails to renew the defendant's Residence Permit in time, they would be considered as illegal residents and would be liable to pay a fine.