How to move to live in the United Arab Emirates in 2021

Emigration to the UAE attracts a large number of people from Russia and Asian CIS countries. There is no need to rush to learn Arabic; in most cases, they will calmly speak to you in English.

These numbers may be hard to believe, but local residents make up only 10% of the population. The remaining 90% are people who came here to work.

Local labor legislation strictly regulates the relationship between employer and employee. Your employment contract will definitely have a clear list of responsibilities that you will perform, and the exact salary that you will be paid will definitely be written. Additional benefits include payment for housing, air tickets to your homeland (once per year), and medical insurance. After working in the company for more than 1 year, you will also have access to a compensation package equal to 21 days of your salary.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any other developed country, the United Arab Emirates has something to boast about. The first is a high level of security and a very low level of crime in general. The police here work at a very good level, and there is completely no corruption here.

Secondly, the climate is excellent. This is the land of eternal summer. Even on the hottest days, it is very comfortable here, because all facilities, including bus stops, are equipped with air conditioning.

Third is the high level of wages.

Fourth, there is a virtual absence of taxes for resident visa holders. This is why you can find a large number of highly paid freelancers here.

The disadvantages include the fact that it is almost impossible to obtain citizenship in the UAE. And also some may not like strict local laws.

It is almost impossible to obtain citizenship in the UAE. Even those people who have worked there all their lives will eventually have to go to their homeland to retire. This even includes those children who were born in the Emirates and grew up there.

How to extend a resident visa in the United Arab Emirates

Everything will depend on what category of resident is assigned. Let’s say that people who own a plot of land within the UAE need to leave the state every six months to renew their residence permit. With this option, the extension procedure is carried out directly at the airport as soon as the immigrant arrives in the Emirates. For businessmen residing and running their own business in the UAE, they need to renew their residence visa after a three-year period with the appropriate authorities.

In each case, when extending a visa, you must present the entire package of documents, as well as a medical certificate obtained from the examination center. When a male businessman renews his residence visa, it is automatically extended for all family members located in the UAE. The visa extension service will cost around 240 dirhams.

One of the most important and main conditions for extending a residence permit is unquestioning compliance with all state requirements.

Visas to the UAE in 2021

From 2021, all tourists arriving in the United Arab Emirates receive a visa at the airport free of charge upon arrival for 30 days. If necessary, it can be extended for another 30 days through the Immigration Department. Therefore, you can easily go here for reconnaissance to make sure this country is suitable for you to emigrate or not.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit:

• Marriage with a local resident,
• Employment,
• Opening your own company,
• Study at local universities,
• Purchase of real estate under certain conditions.

Foreigners in the UAE

In 2021, just over 10 million people live in the United Arab Emirates. And almost 9 million of them are migrants. To be more precise, by mid-2021 their number was 8.6 million people, according to statistics from the international migration data portal.

The most common reason for moving here is employment. People come from all over the world for economic prospects and opportunities, but there are a few ethnic groups that particularly stand out. Thus, the majority of labor migrants came to the UAE from India (about 40%), followed by people from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt and the Philippines.

Moving to the UAE through employment

In order to enter this country, all you need is a temporary work visa, a copy of your diploma, an employment contract, health insurance and an air ticket. The flight is carried out at the expense of the employer.

After arriving in the UAE, you are required to apply for a resident visa. It consists of two parts. First, you need to send the original education diploma and employment contract. In addition, you will be required to undergo a full medical examination, including fluorography, blood tests for HIV and hepatitis, as well as a pregnancy test. Pregnant unmarried women are denied a visa.

Weekend

Weekends are considered Friday and Saturday. Namely, Friday is a day of prayer in this country. In addition to the global calendar, the country also has its own lunar calendar. All religious holidays are calculated according to it by a special commission.

Stages of emigration

Complete emigration takes place in two stages:

1. Obtaining a resident visa. This document gives a foreigner the right to cross the border of the Emirates once in 60 days. To stay in the country for a longer period of time, you need to obtain a residence permit for a period of 1 to 3 years. In some emirates, before receiving this document, you are required to pass a test confirming knowledge of the local culture. The severity of the legislation is due to the policy of the state, which does not intend to share what has been achieved with outsiders.
2. Obtaining citizenship. Only a few manage to pass this stage.

Procedure for obtaining a residence permit

Let's start with the required list of documents:

• Valid passport,
• Photos 3x4 – 3 pieces,
• 3 copies of the completed application form,
• Certificate of income or bank account statement,
• Confirmation of your right to obtain a residence permit (employment contract, marriage documents).

Cost of obtaining a resident visa

The table below shows the cost of obtaining a resident visa for both the employee and his family members.

Having a residence permit, you can cross the state border unlimitedly. The residence permit will be canceled if you are absent from the country for more than 180 days.

How to emigrate from Russia to the UAE

In order to have a legal basis for being in the UAE, you must have a certain official status. A foreigner must obtain a tourist, work, student or visitor visa, depending on the purpose for which he arrives. According to the legislation of the United Arab Emirates, foreigners can stay in the country on guest and tourist visas for up to 29 days, and on a business visa - up to 14 days. A multiple-entry visa is issued for 6 months and allows its holder to visit the country several times, staying on its territory for up to 14 days per visit.

Please note that different conditions for obtaining visas apply to citizens of different countries. Much depends on the nationality of the guest and on local politics in each emirate.

In 2021, the path to obtaining a UAE visa has been significantly simplified for Russian citizens. Now, in order to have the right to reside in the Emirates for 30 days, Russians can apply for a visa immediately upon arrival in the UAE, right at the airport. This procedure is free. If the need arises, the visa can be extended for an additional 30 days for an additional fee; you should contact the UAE Immigration Department for this.

It is very easy to obtain an entry visa for short-term trips to the UAE

Features of entry into the country for minors

The procedure for obtaining a UAE visa for children will depend on what document confirms the child’s identity. Children crossing the border on the basis of a passport are issued a visa provided that the child and the accompanying parent have the same last name. In this case, the visa fee is the same as for an adult visa. If the last names are different, you must provide a birth certificate and documents proving the relationship of the accompanying person with the child.

If a minor enters the UAE using his parents' passport, different surnames will not be a problem. However, when applying for a visa, it is necessary to indicate in whose passport the child is entered, and if he is over 5 years old, his photo is also pasted into the passport.

If a minor travels to the UAE unaccompanied by an adult, he must have an entry permit from both parents, which is certified by a notary and translated into English.

Please be aware that Emirates immigration authorities may require a birth certificate and notarized entry consent from both parents for all persons under 21 years of age.

The Emirates is a Muslim state, so many local traditions, including clothing, may surprise a European

How to obtain a residence permit

In the UAE there is no such thing as a residence permit. Under local legislation, this word usually means living in the country on a resident visa. With it, you have the right not to leave the Emirates for three years. However, a resident visa can be canceled if the person leaves the country for more than six months. Nowadays, there are three main ways to obtain a resident visa:

1. Purchasing housing in the United Arab Emirates. This procedure will entitle the buyer to obtain a residence visa valid for six months. After the expiration date, it can be extended. It is important that the value of the property should not be less than 1 million dirhams ($270 thousand), otherwise the foreigner does not have the right to apply for a resident visa. The owner of a home whose price exceeds the above-mentioned amount can also act as a sponsor of his wife and children (this right does not apply to women; only a man can be a sponsor). The disadvantage of this route of obtaining residency is that family members do not have the right to work in the UAE.
2. Employment within the country. In case of employment, issues of obtaining a resident visa are dealt with directly by the employer. Such a document gives the right to reside in the Emirates for two years. If a visa is issued by an employer, the cost is usually paid by him, after which the foreigner works off the invested amount within a pre-agreed time.
3. Significant investment contribution to the economy and business in the UAE. If you make a significant contribution to the country's economy and/or open your own enterprise in a free zone, you can receive a resident business visa valid for up to three years. The business must be officially registered and pay all duties required by UAE law. A foreigner who has obtained a residence visa by registering his own enterprise can also apply for one for his wife and children.

Immigrants from the former USSR work here, as a rule, as waiters (guys and girls with average knowledge of English who arrived in Dubai recently, less than a year ago (salary is about $1000 plus, as a rule, housing), or as sellers in malls (most often girls with good and very good English, who previously worked as waitresses for a year, that is, this is like the “next step” (usually a salary of about $1800, without housing).

Sergey, a native of Minsk who moved to the UAE

https://fishki.net/212583-zhizn-v-dubae-ili-mozhno-li-tam-ostatsja-na-pmzh-18-foto.html

Video: business immigration to the UAE

Procedure for obtaining a residence permit

For all immigration issues, including obtaining a resident visa, you should contact the consular section of the UAE Embassy (Dubai Department of Naturalization & Residency).

To apply for a residence permit, you must provide the following:

1. The applicant's foreign passport. It is important to note that it must be valid for at least three months beyond the expiration of the upcoming trip.
2. Three copies of the application form in English or Arabic. The application form must be drawn up directly by the applicant and certified by his signature.
3. Three color photos measuring 3x4 cm.
4. Documents confirming the right to obtain a resident visa. This could be a document certifying the fact of purchase of housing, a certificate of registration of an enterprise, etc.
5. Receipt of payment of the consular fee. Depending on the visa, it can range from $40 to $80. For children crossing the border based on their registration in the parental passport - $30. Be prepared for the fact that if the answer is negative, the funds will not be returned.
6. A copy of the birth certificate (for children and adolescents who do not have a passport).
7. Legalized birth certificate of the child in Arabic or English.
8. A photocopy of the marriage certificate - for women who decide to visit the country without a spouse, or if the surnames of the spouses are different.
9. Certificate of income (for men who moved to the Emirates with their wife and children, this serves as confirmation of the ability to provide for their family).

To enter the UAE for the purpose of residence, the consulate issues a special permit

Features of a resident visa in the Emirates

It is important that residency does not restrict the movement of immigrants; they can freely cross the UAE border. The only condition is to visit the country once every six months. If a person has been outside the Emirates for more than 180 days, he automatically loses his residency. Recovery is possible, but it will again take a lot of time, and the procedure itself, of course, is paid. Staying outside the country for more than six months without canceling a resident visa is possible subject to the provision of documents confirming a valid reason for absence (certificate of illness - for those who cross the border for the purpose of treatment, documents confirming study at a foreign university for students, certificate of employment and etc.).

A foreigner is issued a plastic identification card as an identification document

Unlike the usual tourist visa, the UAE resident visa is an A4 document. It is usually pasted into the passport so that a foreigner can at any time confirm the legality of his stay in the country. This procedure is carried out in special authorities. Before submitting your passport for a visa, you must first undergo a medical examination and apply for a Resident ID card, which can identify the owner. It's the size of a credit card, so it's easy to carry around. Resident ID contains all the basic information about the owner and serves as confirmation of his residence. It is impossible to obtain a card without a resident visa.

Video: how to obtain a resident visa in the UAE (Emirates ID and Medical Test)

UAE Resident Visa Extension

The procedure for extending a resident visa depends on the category of residence. For example, a person who has a plot of land in the Emirates must leave the country every six months to renew his residence permit. In this case, the procedure will be completed directly at the airport upon the immigrant’s arrival in the Emirates. For entrepreneurs living in the UAE on the basis of running their own business, it is necessary to apply for an extension of residence at special institutions every three years. As a rule, this is the consular section of the UAE embassy. Each time you renew, you must provide the necessary documents again, including a certificate of health obtained after an examination at an authorized medical center. If the visa of a male entrepreneur is extended, the residence visas of his family members who are in the Emirates under his guardianship will be automatically extended. The cost of renewal will vary from 200 to 250 dirhams.

One of the main conditions for extending a residence permit is perfect compliance with local laws.

Table: cost of a resident visa in the UAE

Banks and currency

Dirham is the official currency in the UAE. 1 dirham is approximately 20 rubles. Most people in the country use bank cards. Cash is only needed for taxis and food delivery.

Your employer will help you open a bank account in the bank with which he already works. Today, lending is actively developing in the country, so you will immediately be offered to issue a credit card along with a debit card. The average lending rate is 6%.

The financial infrastructure in the country itself is developed. You can manage your money using online banking, SMS or mobile application. But people usually complain about local offices. Resolving issues live is often tedious, slow and ineffective.

Salaries and taxes

Salary levels in Dubai vary greatly depending on the industry. At the very bottom are foreign construction workers and cleaning staff. These vacancies are often filled by Indians and Filipinos. The minimum salary is 1200 dirhams. It often includes lunches at work and payment for a bed in a hostel.

Those who are lucky enough to get a job in a good cafe or restaurant receive significantly more - 7000-8000 dirhams. In this area, Russians and residents from other CIS countries have been supplanted by Filipinos who are ready to work for significantly less money.

Highly paid specialists are considered to be those earning 13,000-18,000 dirhams per month. Emirates airline pilots earn 30,000-42,500 dirhams. Plus, they are usually paid for housing in the form of a separate villa.

Salaries are not subject to taxes. They are simply missing. You will receive exactly as much as is written in your employment contract.

Only in 2021 was VAT introduced on all products and services, and before that, in 2021, VAT was introduced for energy drinks and cigarettes. The VAT rate is 5%.

Methods for obtaining a residence permit

There are only a few options. All of them are available to Russians. The rules are common to any of the emirates. So in Dubai, a residence permit is issued on the same basis as in the outback of the Arab Federation of Principalities.

Employment

The employer usually takes on the responsibility for obtaining a visa. The management of the company pays the necessary fees. In return, the employee undertakes to work in the country for a certain period of time – most often one year. The duration of the visa is usually calculated for the period of employment, but then, as in other cases, the applicant has the right to extend the existing permit.

Today on the market you can find a variety of vacancies in Dubai for Russians. The most developed and most secular emirate actively promotes tourism and international trade. Doctors and programmers will find a use here. In other emirates it is also easy to find job offers for Russians.

Purchase of real estate

The state sets a minimum price for housing when, upon concluding a transaction, it is allowed to obtain a residence permit in the Emirates. In 2021 this is about 16 million rubles. Arabic housing is expensive, but a foreigner has the opportunity to invite his relatives. They will also be issued a resident visa, but they cannot find a job using it. The residence permit period is 2 years.

Business and investing in the economy

This type of immigration allows you to bring your wife and children to the country. When choosing a region in the Emirates, you should look for business zones with tax incentives. In this case, the investor will be charged minimal fees, and his company will not be subject to income tax. In this case, a resident visa will be issued for 3 years.

Education

Students receive a residence permit upon admission to a local higher school. The status will be valid until graduation. Then the foreigner will be able to find a job or stay on another basis. The education system in the UAE differs little from that in Western countries. Diplomas from Arab universities are valid in the USA and Europe.

Marriage

Native residents or foreigners living in the United Arab Emirates for a long time have the right to issue an invitation for their loved ones. Unfortunately, only men have this opportunity. This is one of the reasons for women only to move to the Emirates in 2021. Moreover, many local grooms prefer girls from Russia.

Individual cases

The UAE authorities reserve the right to award a residence permit for any services to the country. The decision is made by the emir of the specific territory where he will be invited:

• scientist;
• athlete;
• cultural and artistic figure;
• respected minister of religious worship and so on.

In some cases, you can even get citizenship for special achievements.

Housing

With the exception of hotels, housing in this country must be rented for at least 1 year. Payment is made by bank checks. The cost of renting a one-room apartment is on average 48,000 dirhams per year. Payments can be either monthly or quarterly. It depends on how you negotiate with the property owners. Upon arrival, you may be asked for a deposit for Internet and utilities in the amount of 3,000 dirhams. If you outsource your property search to an agent, on average it will cost you AED 4,000 in commission.

To furnish an empty apartment, you will need up to 8,000-10,000 dirhams, depending on your needs.

Transport, cars and parking

Despite all the luster of the country, public transport here is poorly developed. The majority of the population travels by car. There are two metro lines and buses, but they are convenient only for those who live somewhere along the coastline, or travel by bus from a residential area to the center. The average cost of a trip is 30 dirhams.

Visiting foreigners can either rent a car or purchase it as their own. Installment and car loan programs are common. The rate will be from 0 to 6%. For example, you can rent a Ford Focus car for AED 14,500 per month. A full tank of gasoline costs 50 dirhams.

What drivers complain about is that car gas stations are located at a great distance from each other. Therefore, you constantly have to keep your finger on the pulse in order to arrive at the gas station on time.

Driving license in Dubai

Russian driving licenses do not count here, so you will have to undergo training and pass a driving test to the local authorities. Having a driver's license from Russia only gives you a discount: instead of 40 hours of study, you will have to study for only 20 hours. You can study slowly and get your license in six months, or quickly, receiving the coveted card in 2-3 weeks.

Fines in the country are high, and there is also a point system. If you accumulate 24 points for your violations, your driver's license will be revoked for 1 year. A typical fine for exceeding the speed limit by 20 km/h will cost you 500 dirhams.

The quality of roads is very high. They are monitored and maintained at a high level.

Parking

The country has a developed parking system. Almost every building has its own underground parking, as well as on-street parking spaces.

In popular places, you will have to pay from 2 to 4 dirhams per hour for a parking space.

How to move to Dubai without problems? 10 actions on the Nedvio website

Dubai is a truly unique region where many people of different nationalities want to move. It is worth noting that in modern Dubai there are already so many foreigners living that the locals simply disappear among them. Unlike closed countries, the Dubai government not only does not prevent foreigners from moving, but also encourages them in every possible way to do so.

Some may think that moving to Dubai is easy, but this is not entirely true. If you do not want to face the difficulties of such a move, you should think through your actions to the smallest detail. Let's look at ten tips that will make your move comfortable and successful.

Determine the purpose of your visit

You can simply visit Dubai by obtaining a tourist visa, its validity is 30 days. If your goal is to live permanently in Dubai, then you will need to find a more compelling reason. There are three main reasons for moving to Dubai:

• Personal business development . Dubai attracts a lot of entrepreneurs, because there is absolutely everything you need to build and develop your business. What is it about? About the absence of taxes, it also means good infrastructure, inexpensive labor, energy, etc. It is worth noting that many entrepreneurs decide to move to Dubai with their family in order to develop their business here;
• Build a career . Finding a job in Dubai is not difficult, but just keep in mind that it must be legal, otherwise nothing will work out with obtaining permanent residence. There are many world-famous companies operating in Dubai that require employees with official employment;
• Buy real estate in Dubai . This option is suitable for wealthy foreigners who have already been able to earn enough money to buy a home in Dubai. Local authorities were among the first to allow foreigners to purchase housing in the UAE.

Learn the laws and traditions of a foreign country

Are you worried about the difficulties of moving to a new place of residence? It would be quite logical, before going to live in a new country, to study their laws and traditions in order to at least roughly understand what you will encounter there.

Don’t worry, in this country they are loyal to foreigners, but only when they treat local residents with respect. Please note: Dubai is a Muslim country, life here proceeds in accordance with Sharia law.

Plan your flight to Dubai

The easiest and most comfortable option would be to fly to this city by plane. This is an amazing city, it has one of the most beautiful and at the same time most comfortable airports in the world, so when you get off the plane, you go straight to one of the attractions.

You shouldn’t delay purchasing tickets; it’s better not to buy them at the last moment, because they may disappear or will cost more than if you buy them in advance. Please note that you should not take too many things with you. You can safely leave your winter wardrobe at home, and even the necessary items can be purchased from branded manufacturers at competitive prices.

Difficulties may arise with transporting a pet. To bring your dog or cat here, you must have all their vaccinations; there are also other features.

Apply for a resident visa

You cannot legally live in the UAE without it. You need to understand that even if you have a strong desire to obtain a resident visa in Dubai, you will not be able to immediately. In order to obtain this visa, you must fulfill one of the 3 conditions that were described in the first paragraph.

In addition to the papers that will confirm your identity, you will also need to prepare a health certificate. Be prepared to be tested for infectious diseases and HIV before moving to Dubai. You will already have repeated tests done directly in Dubai. The test results must match, otherwise moving is out of the question.

Men who earn more than 10 thousand dirhams per month have the opportunity to transport their wife, as well as minor children, without issuing separate resident visas for them.

Find accommodation

The housing market in Dubai is extremely diverse and can satisfy the requirements of even the most demanding people. Here it will not be difficult to find housing to suit every taste and budget, which can be either purchased or rented. There are as many as twenty residential areas in this city, and in any of them foreigners can find suitable housing.

Think about what you will be driving

Dubai has excellent public transport, which means you won't have any difficulties getting around. There is a beautiful and convenient metro here, you can also travel by bus, and taxis are popular. If these options do not suit you, you should take care in advance and choose a car that you can drive. Note that cars in Dubai are inexpensive, so you can buy a car here for quite reasonable money.

Think about how you will manage your finances

Living in the UAE, you cannot do without your own bank account. Most payments are made using a bank card or checkbook. An account can be opened both for personal needs and for the corporate needs of your company, but in this case you will need to present the company’s constituent papers.

Get health insurance

An excellent level of medicine awaits you in the Emirates. However, keep in mind that visiting doctors and undergoing tests in Dubai is not a cheap pleasure. To avoid ruining your health, experts recommend taking out health insurance.

Take care of your children

If you are moving here with your children, you should take care of enrolling them in a kindergarten or school. It is worth noting that preschool education in Dubai is not compulsory.

If you want to choose a good private school for your child, apply early, as good schools often have limited places.

Take care of your safety

Many people know that the UAE is a security zone. This was achieved through strict laws, the presence of the death penalty and excellent police work.

Unknowingly, you can accidentally violate some local law or the rights of local residents and this may entail consequences. Therefore, check your local laws in advance.

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Tourism

The UAE has several world-famous attractions that may be of interest to tourists. Having a car, you can drive from Dubai to any of these places in a couple of hours. These places include:

• mountains of Ras al Khaimah,
• coast of the Indian Ocean in the state of Fujairah,
• capital of Abu Dhabi,
• in green, built around Buraimi oasis, Al Ain,
• the country's largest zoo (Al Ain),
• historical museums and forts (Al Ain),
• amusement park "Hili Fun City"
• Burj Khalifa is the tallest skyscraper in the world
• The Dubai Fountain is a musical fountain whose jet height reaches 150 meters,
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, (Abu Dhabi),

Religion and special rules of behavior

Dubai is one of the most liberal places among Arab cities and countries. Here you should not hold hands, kiss or somehow actively express your feelings in public places. Couples who are not married are not allowed to live together here (however, we are resolving this issue).

A separate month is Ramadan, which you need to know about. During his days, you should not eat, drink or smoke in public spaces. Special places have been allocated for this.

In addition, you need to control what you write about the country and its residents on social networks. You could get into serious trouble if you openly criticize the UAE and the country's leaders, or post photos that show it in a bad light.

Food and alcohol

The cost of products on the store shelf may seem very high. The fact is that most products are imported into the country from abroad. Of course, the UAE has its own agricultural sector, but it is limited to a small range. Large stores have shelves with national food, including entire Russian sections.

To purchase alcohol, you must obtain the appropriate license card. If necessary, the employer can do this by indicating that he is not against his employee drinking alcohol. The cost of a glass of beer or wine in local bars is 40 dirhams.