1) Long-term (residence) visas review
The purpose of this guide is to describe the types of visas that provide a long-term stay in the UAE.
In the UAE, resident visas are different from short-term visas. Short-term visas include tourist, visitor, transit and medical treatment visas. A resident visa in the Emirates serves as analogous to a residence permit.
On the federal level, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) stands as a cornerstone institution specializing in providing identification and confirmation services related to the residence issues.
There is also a level of a certain emirate: for example, in Dubai it is the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) that regulates the residency of foreign nationals, the entry and exit of international travelers to and from the Emirate.
Below is the comprehensive list of residence visas types:
| RE residency visa | Golden residency Visa |
| Duration | 2 years; renewable | 10 years; renewable |
| Benefits | E... | |