Do you have any business engagements in the UAE you need to attend in person? You need a UAE business visa to make the journey to the country. The UAE has a very strict immigration policy, and citizens from non-visa-exempt countries can not enter the country without a visa. The good news is that the UAE business visa application process is fast and easy so that you can get the visa in record time, provided you complete the application process correctly. Keep reading to learn more about the Dubai business visa application process and requirements.
Traveling To the UAE on Business
The United Arab Emirates has become one of the top business destinations over the last two decades due to the amazing transformation of the country socially, infrastructurally, and diplomatically. Due to the consistent development of the region, many brands and businesses have migrated to the region. One of the biggest draws to the UAE is the fact that the UAE government does not charge income tax on entrepreneurs, so they can always take full profits on their investments from Abu Dhabi.
From startups to established brands, the UAE remains a fertile ground for investors.
The UAE Business Visa
The business visa is simply a Permit issued to citizens of no visa-exempt countries to enter the country on business. The government issues a regular visa to a regional manager who runs onshore or mainland companies. There is a special golden visa for startups with a minimum investment of 2 million dirhams.
The UAE has a single entry visa for those coming to explore investment opportunities and a multiple entry visa for those who plan to visit several times a year to attend conferences, meetings, and any other business-related activity.
There is also the Free zone visa for owners of companies or shareholders. The visa allows the holder to attend board meetings and any activity associated with the country. The Green and Mainland visas are also issued to company owners and shareholders.
The Special Golden Visa
The Golden Visa is a special visa introduced by the government to encourage and attract startups to the country. There are two types of Golden visas.
Self sponsored visas are issued to startup entrepreneurs who are funding their businesses from their own pockets, while sponsored visa is for employees who are funded by the business owner or another party.
Previously, all business visas required a sponsor apart from the Golden Visa. The visitor had to be sponsored by a resident, citizen, or company. But the system has been updated to introduce the new self-sponsored Visit and Green visas.
How To Apply For A UAE Business Visa?
There are different ways to apply for a visa for business. You either visit the official site of the government to apply or use an online visa application platform like VisaHQ. The process is easy, and you don’t have to deal with any travel agent or a third party; you don’t even have to visit the UAE embassy for the visa as everything can be done online with your smartphone and soft copies of your documents.
Here are the steps to follow.
Visit VisaHQ
Select UAE as your destination
Select your country of citizenship
Choose “Business visa.”
Fill out the application form correctly
Scan and upload soft copies of your documents
Pay the visa application fee
Submit for approval
Kindly note that you will need a credit or debit card to pay the visa fee, which may range from $150-$177, depending on the type of business visa you are applying for and the duration. The authorities will process the application in a few days and forward the visa to your registered email address. Ensure you only provide valid documents and accurate information so your application will not be rejected.
Note: The immigration officers have the ultimate right to decide who enters the UAE. You may be denied entry even if you have a valid visa if they discover you obtained it with fictitious documents or under false pretexts.
UAE Business Visa Validity
The UAE business visa has different validities, such as 60 days, 90 days, and 120 days which is the maximum. The long-term multiple entry visa is valid for 5 years but costs more in fees than the others.
UAE Business Visa Requirements
The visa requirements differ depending on the type of visa you apply for, but here are some general requirements and documents.
The applicant must own a startup that generates a minimum revenue of $272,000 and must be registered in the UAE
Obtain a signed approval from the Ministry of Economy
Trade license
An audited statement of account for 2 years
Valid Passport with at least 6 months of validity
Proof of funds
Hotel reservation
Travel medical insurance
Return flight ticket
These are by no means all the documents required for a UAE business visa, so do your due diligence before you submit your application on VisaHQ.