Difference between UAE Residence Visa and Entry Permit

Do you know what is the difference between Entry Permit UAE and UAE Residence Visa? In our previous guide we discussed the types of visa in UAE.

Entry Permit UAE:

Entry permit UAE is a document issued by GDRFA, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs that allows the foreigners to enter and stay in the UAE legally for a certain period of time. The document may be in a physical or an electronic form, check entry permit sample below.

Types of Entry Permit UAE:

1: Employment

2: Family visit

3: Tourism/transit

4: Treatment

5: Mission

6: Attending conferences

Entry Permit Validity:

The entry permit has a validity date, which refers to the period within which the entry permit must be used by entering the UAE through one of its entry points at the land borders, airports or seaports. For most entry permits, the validity is two months. The validity of entry permits cannot be extended; they automatically expire upon the lapse of their time.

Entry Permit Duration:

The duration of stay for each entry permit differs according to the type of entry permit. For example, entry permits for transit allow the person to stay in the country for 4 days, while entry permits for employment allow the employee to stay in the country for two months, during which his sponsor must change the employee’s status into residence visa, or else must leave within the duration of stay. If the entry permit holder does not change his status into residence visa, he has to leave the country upon the lapse of entry permit duration to avoid overstay fines and penalties, or renew within the prescribed periods, according to new ministry rules.

Entry Permit Sample:

UAE Residence Visa:

UAE residence visa is issued to the foreigner when he/she is already inside the country having entered using the entry permit. Only sponsors meeting GDRFA’s requirements can apply for the foreigner’s the UAE residence visa.

A residence visa requires the person sponsored to undergo a medical test and prove that he/she is medically fit and he must pass the immigration security check.

UAE Residence Visa Sample: 

The validity of stay on UAE residence visa varies according to its type and the sponsor. It could be one year for students, two years for LLC or private firms and or three years for free zone companies.