Middle East Immigration: Visas and Residency Options

With Saudi Arabia and the UAE both making a prominent appearance on the global top ten list of countries with the highest immigration figures, it is no wonder that the Middle East is known as one of the most popular destinations in the world for expats. Individuals and families from all over recognise the unique attributes the region can offer, especially in terms of lifestyle and opportunity. As the level of interest in the region continues to rise, so too does the demand for assistance with Middle East immigration policies and procedures. At EER Middle East, we have decades of experience handling immigration and visa enquiries across the region, including in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. So we wanted to share some useful insights into what makes the Middle East immigration process so unique and what to expect for those looking to become a resident in this exciting part of the world.

Middle East Residency Visas

The world of Middle East immigration is one of constant change. The options surrounding visas and residency are always evolving, providing new pathways for expatriates to find their second home. As the region has grown in global prominence and economic stability, it has expanded its avenues to residency so as to encourage greater levels of international investment and talent acquisition that act as fuel for future prosperity. Each country has their own specific set of visa types, residency options and immigration processes. In the UAE, applicants from all over the world can now choose between a variety of visa types including Golden Visas for property investors, flexible visas for freelancers and even residency visas for retirees. In Saudi Arabia, dependents aren’t able to work under a sponsorship visa and would need to secure their own visa via their employer.

Your Needs: Your Visa

One of the key elements to successfully navigating the immigration process across the Middle East is correctly identifying your specific needs from the beginning. Each individual client or assignee has a unique set of requirements that will need tailored solutions in order to adhere to regulations and find the right visa. For the majority of assignees, they are relocating to the Middle East in order to start a new role and since their residency is tied to their employment, the visa options will be relatively easy to determine. For those assignees, the key question becomes about what they need to secure the visa, particularly in terms of documentation. In some countries certain visa types require a certain level of educational qualification for which an attested and translated certificate will need to be obtained. If the assignee is relocating with dependents, such as a spouse or children, they will need to find out about sponsorship options and whether those visas can be procured in conjunction with the main visa holder’s residency. Other clients may be looking to relocate not just with their family, but with a new or existing business or on a freelance basis, choosing to take advantage of the unrivalled opportunities in the Middle East market place. For these clients the Middle East immigration process will require expert guidance on which visa would best suit their goals and their business objectives in the long term. Researching how residency works as a business owner or investor and what your options are before relocating can help you determine which destination would be most fitting and save you valuable time and money.

How EER Middle East Can Help

We have been assisting clients in the field of Middle East immigration for nearly 20 years in the region’s top locations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. What sets us apart the most is our expert team. In each destination, we have highly experienced, on-the-ground consultants with extensive local knowledge and connections who can provide up-to-date information on visa and residency options to suit any client or assignee. They can advise on visa selection, documentation acquisition and the entire residency process from A to Z including:

• Tailored visa advice
• Outsourced PRO services including medical processes
• Document management including legalisation, translation, attestation and submission
• Compliance coordination to ensure regulatory adherence

If you would like to speak to one of our team about Middle East immigration or visa services in Saudi Arabia or the UAE, please get in touch today on info@eerme.com or +971 (0)4 421 1819.