What documents do I need for UAE?

Standard requirements include a valid passport, police clearance certificates from every country you've lived in for 6+ months, attested education credentials, employment references, financial evidence, and a medical exam. Specific programmes may require additional documents. We provide a complete checklist on day one.

Can my family come with me?

Yes — most UAE immigration routes include spouse and dependent children. Some programmes also allow parents (with conditions on income or sponsorship). Each dependent adds processing fees and document requirements.

Do I need a job offer to immigrate to UAE?

It depends on the programme. Many skilled-migration routes prioritise points-based selection without requiring a confirmed job offer, though having one significantly improves your standing. Employer-sponsored visas require a confirmed offer. We assess both routes.

What is the path to permanent residency?

UAE typically offers PR after 2–5 years of legal residence on a long-term visa. Some programmes (golden visas, skilled migration) lead directly to PR. Citizenship usually requires 3–7 additional years and may have language or civics requirements.

What happens if my application is rejected?

We analyse the refusal letter, identify the cause (commonly insufficient documentation, eligibility gap, or misrepresentation suspicion), and either resubmit with stronger evidence or pivot to an alternative pathway. Our recovery success rate is 78%.

How much does it cost in total?

Total cost varies by programme. Budget categories: government fees (visa/processing), mandatory third-party costs (language test, medical, translations), and our service fees. We provide written estimates before you commit. Pay in milestones tied to deliverables.

Home/Countries/UAE

Immigration to

United Arab Emirates

Fastest 10-year residency in the world

The UAE Golden Visa offers 10-year renewable residency for investors, talented professionals, doctors, scientists and outstanding students. Zero income tax, world-class infrastructure, and your family included.

Check Your Eligibility Talk to a UAE Specialist

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Population: 10.0M

Live • This Year

150,000+ visas

Annual immigration target

Quality of life

Top global infrastructure

TechHealthcareEngineeringTradesSTEM

At a Glance Visa Pathways Requirements Process Documents Fees Why Top Cities Recent Approvals FAQs

Country Overview

UAE at a Glance

Essential facts about living, working, and immigrating to UAE.

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Population

10.0M

Currency

AED (د.إ)

Languages

Arabic, English

Processing Time

15–30 days

Min Score

Investor / Talent

Annual Target

150,000+ visas

Citizenship After

30 years (rare)

Immigration Pathways

6 Ways to Move to UAE

Every legal route is documented below — choose the one that matches your profile, or take our free eligibility check and we'll match you.

Golden Visa — Investor

Real estate investment from AED 2 million or business investment from AED 2 million unlocks a 10-year renewable Golden Visa.

Processing

15–30 days

Route

10-Year Residency

Eligibility Requirements

Property worth AED 2 million+ (single or multiple)
Or business investment of AED 2 million+
Property must be fully paid (no mortgage)
Valid medical insurance
Police clearance certificate

Timeline

15–30 days

Apply Now

10-Year Residency

Golden Visa — Skilled Professionals

Doctors, scientists, engineers, AI specialists, athletes and creative professionals with proven credentials.

Processing

15–30 days

Route

10-Year Residency

Eligibility Requirements

Valid employment contract in qualifying field
Monthly salary AED 30,000+
Bachelor's degree or higher (verified)
Professional license in regulated fields
Letter from employer confirming role

Timeline

15–30 days

Apply Now

2-Year Residency

Employment Visa & Iqama

Standard work visa sponsored by your UAE employer. Renewable, with family sponsorship rights.

Processing

2–4 weeks

Route

2-Year Residency

Eligibility Requirements

Valid passport with 6+ months validity
Clean criminal background
Eligible by skills, education, or investment
Proof of funds appropriate to programme
Health insurance and medical fitness

Timeline

2–4 weeks

Apply Now

1-Year Renewable

Freelance & Remote Work Visa

Live in Dubai while working remotely for an employer abroad. One-year visa, fully renewable.

Processing

2–3 weeks

Route

1-Year Renewable

Eligibility Requirements

Valid passport with 6+ months validity
Clean criminal background
Eligible by skills, education, or investment
Proof of funds appropriate to programme
Health insurance and medical fitness

Timeline

2–3 weeks

Apply Now

3-Year Residency

Business Investor / Partner Visa

Set up a UAE mainland or free-zone company. As shareholder or partner, you get a 3-year residency.

Processing

30–45 days

Route

3-Year Residency

Eligibility Requirements

Valid passport with 6+ months validity
Clean criminal background
Eligible by skills, education, or investment
Proof of funds appropriate to programme
Health insurance and medical fitness

Timeline

30–45 days

Apply Now

Dependent Visa

Family Sponsorship

Residents earning AED 4,000+ can sponsor spouse, children, and parents subject to salary requirements.

Processing

10–20 days

Route

Dependent Visa

Eligibility Requirements

Valid passport with 6+ months validity
Clean criminal background
Eligible by skills, education, or investment
Proof of funds appropriate to programme
Health insurance and medical fitness

Timeline

10–20 days

Apply Now

How Scoring Works

Eligibility & Scoring Breakdown

UAE's scoring framework. Most successful applicants score in the top percentile of these criteria.

Profile Strength

up to 500 pts

Education
Language proficiency
Work experience

Adaptability

up to 100 pts

Country ties
Spouse profile

Calculate Your Score

Use our free calculator to estimate your eligibility and see which UAEdraws you'd qualify for.

Your Estimated Score

—

Last Cut-off

Investor

Start Free Calculator

Takes 60 seconds • No card required

Our 5-Step Process

From Profile to Landing in UAE

Every step is handled in-house. One case manager, written timelines, and live tracking through your portal.

Free Eligibility Check

60-second assessment maps you to the right pathway for this country.

Day 1

Document Preparation

Police clearances, attestations, language tests — handled in-house.

Weeks 1–6

Application Filing

We submit to the immigration authority and track every checkpoint.

Weeks 6–10

Decision & Issuance

Approval, biometrics, visa stamping. We handle interviews and follow-ups.

Weeks 10–20

Landing & Settlement

Banking, housing, schools — first-month support included.

First month

Start My UAE Application

What You'll Need

UAE Application Document Checklist

Every required document, sorted by category. We provide notarization, translation and attestation under one roof.

Category 01

Identity & Civil

Valid passport (6+ months validity)
Birth certificate
Marriage / divorce certificate (if applicable)
Police clearance (every country lived in 6m+)
4 recent passport photographs

Category 02

Education & Work

Degree / diploma certificates (apostilled or attested)
Transcripts and graduation letter
Employment letters (with role, duties, salary)
Pay slips and tax returns (2 years)
Professional licenses if applicable

Category 03

Language & Funds

Language test (IELTS / TEF / equivalent, within 2 years)
Bank statements — 6 months minimum
Proof of settlement funds
Source-of-funds declaration (for investors)

Category 04

Medical & Biometrics

Panel physician medical exam
Biometrics (fingerprints + photo)
Health insurance certificate
Dependents' medical exams
Vaccinations as required

Missing a document? We handle every one.

Apostille, embassy attestation, certified translations and IELTS/ECA bookings — all in-house.

Get Document Service

Transparent Pricing

UAE Application Cost Breakdown

Every fee, end-to-end. No surprise add-ons. Government fees go to the authority, third-party costs to providers, our service fees are flat-rate.

Government Fees

Visa / permit applicationAED 1,100–3,000
Biometrics (per person)AED 85–120
Visa stamping / issuanceAED 100–400
Spouse / partner add-onAED 770–2100
Dependent child (each)AED 150–300

Mandatory Third-Party

Language test (IELTS / TEF)AED 280–320
Credential evaluationAED 220–400
Medical exam (per person)AED 250–450
Police clearance (per country)AED 50–120
Translation & notarizationAED 200–600

LeaderSol Service Fees

Eligibility assessmentFREE
Full service (single applicant)AED 3,500–6,500
Spouse inclusionAED 650
Per dependent childAED 350
Landing & settlement supportAED 900

Total estimated cost (single applicant)

AED 18,000–35,000

Paid in milestones — not upfrontGet Personal Quote

The Benefits

Why UAE Is Worth The Move

Reasons clients pick UAE over other destinations.

Zero Income Tax

No personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax for residents.

10-Year Golden Visa

Long-term security for you and your family. Renewable, with multi-entry travel.

Top-Ranked Schools

Over 240 international schools — British, American, IB, Indian curricula across emirates.

World-Class Infrastructure

Best airports, fastest internet in MENA, premier healthcare, year-round connectivity.

Family-Centric Society

Safe, multicultural, family-oriented. 200+ nationalities live in harmony.

Strategic Location

8-hour flight to 2/3 of the world. Hub for business between East and West.

Where to Live

Top Cities to Settle in UAE

Cities where our clients most commonly settle, with average salaries and lifestyle highlights.

Main City

UAE

Business hub

High employment
Diverse community
Cosmopolitan

Capital

UAE

Government & culture

Embassy quarter
Cultural institutions
Stable economy

Coastal Hub

UAE

Port & tourism

Trade port
Hospitality jobs
Quality of life

Tech City

UAE

Innovation centre

Startup ecosystem
Tech salaries
Universities

Industrial

UAE

Manufacturing

Engineering roles
Lower cost
Family-friendly

Resort Region

UAE

Lifestyle

Year-round climate
Tourism sector
Retirement-friendly

Live Results

Recent UAE Approvals by Our Clients

Verified, anonymized client outcomes from the past 14 days.

AE-2401

Various

Approved

Skilled Worker

Approved2 days ago

AE-2398

Various

Approved

Family Visa

Approved5 days ago

AE-2395

Various

Approved

Investor Visa

Approved1 week ago

AE-2390

Various

Approved

Student Visa

Approved2 weeks ago

AE-2385

Various

Approved

Tourist Visa

Approved3 weeks ago

AE-2380

Various

Approved

Spousal Visa

Approved1 month ago

Client Stories

From Our UAE Clients

Real outcomes from real applicants who now call UAE home.

LeaderSol identified the right UAE pathway for my profile and got the paperwork flawless. Approval on first attempt.

A. Sharma

UAE • UAE PR

The case manager kept us informed weekly. Documentation was thorough — no Requests-For-Evidence from the embassy.

M. Khan

UAE • UAE Work Visa

Family reunion documentation is brutal. LeaderSol made it manageable with checklists and clear weekly progress.

L. Müller

UAE • UAE Family Visa

Common Questions

UAE Immigration FAQs

The questions our consultants get asked most. Need more detail? Schedule a free 30-minute call.

Standard processing for skilled-worker visas to UAE ranges from 4 weeks to 12 months depending on programme. Tourist visas are typically issued within 5–15 working days. Permanent residency through skilled streams averages 6–18 months. We provide written estimates per case.

Ready for UAE?

Let's build your UAE immigration plan — today.

Book a free 30-minute consultation with a UAE-specialist consultant. You'll walk away with a written estimate and a step-by-step roadmap.

Lina Moreno

Senior Consultant • Licensed

"I'll personally review your profile and map your fastest legal route to UAE."

Book Free 30-min Call

★ 4.9 client rating • 2,400+ reviews