FREEZONE EMPLOYMENT VISA:
Applying for a Freezone visa is a very simple process and can be done in any of the emirates in the UAE. There are numerous benefits of applying for this type of visa too. Freezone authorities or a reputed company set up business specialist can help you with this process in detail to avoid an unnecessary delay and will make sure the application is completed well on time.
Why apply for a free zone visa?
- The application process is easy and quick.
- Foreign investors are permitted 100% ownership of their business.
- No foreign exchange restrictions
- Tax exemption benefits like corporate tax, income tax, and personal tax.
- The location of free zones is well-equipped with ample communication facilities and modern industrial infrastructure.
- The cost of living is reasonable.
- Business owners can repatriate 100% of their capital and profits to their home country.
The steps to apply for a Freezone visa-
Step 1: Register through any e-channel service
You need to first register for E-Channel services as it was designed by the
government to simplify the visa process. This new online system eliminates unnecessary paperwork and makes applications more transparent and faster than before. You can take assistance from a specialist to help register your Freezone business for online services and pay a mandatory registration fee along with a refundable security deposit. You will be notified as soon as you get registered.
Step 2: Apply for an entry permit
Once you register for e-channel services, you will have to apply for an entry permit which is the second step towards getting an employment visa. This is valid for sixty days and can be issued within fifteen days. It will be emailed to you once it is ready. You do not have to leave the country after applying for the entry permit. With an additional fee, you can get it within five to seven days with the express service.
Step 3: Change status
It is not possible to get your freezone visa at this stage. With the entry permit in hand, you can activate it with the status adjustment or status change.
There are three ways to carry out a status change:
-An in-country status change is the simplest option where all you need to do is
submit your passport to the immigration office. The officer will stamp and activate your employment visa. This process takes around three to five working days.
-Out-of-country status change will happen when you are outside the UAE and you leave the country once your entry permit is issued. Next, your Freezone visa will be activated once you exit and re-enter the UAE and present your printed copy to the immigration officer at the airport. He/ she will stamp and activate the free zone visa. Please note, this is not available to all nationalities so it is recommended to double-check with the authorized free zone authority before leaving the UAE.
-The border run status change involves the individual leaving or exiting the country by land and once he/ she receive the exit stamp, they re-enter the country with the printed employment visa. All you have to do is present the visa to the immigration officer at the border to receive an entry date stamp on the passport and document. This method is also not effective for most nationalities as it only applies to countries where visa-on-arrival travel to the UAE is available.
Step 4: Medical test
Next, you will have to undergo a medical fitness test which consists of a blood test for infectious diseases, and also a chest X-ray. The test will finish within a few hours. The results are usually available after three working days.
Step 5: Emirates ID registration
Once you receive the results of your medical test, you can apply for an Emirates ID card. The benefit is that you will be an official UAE citizen and can open bank accounts, have a tenancy contract, and much more. If it is your first time, then you have to visit an official ID authority for your biometric details like eye scans and fingerprints. The card is valid for a period of three years.
Step 6: Visa stamping
To end the process, you need to obtain the official visa stamp or sticker by submitting your passport to the relevant immigration authority. It can take up to fifteen days so make sure not to travel outside the UAE.
Please note: Before applying, you need to ensure that your passport is valid for a period of seven months. Do not stay outside the country for more than eighty days, as it will invalidate your visa. You can check with our specialists regarding all the specific requirements and they will help you with coordinating with all the authorized government departments and updating you at every stage until your visa is ready.