What is the differences between a tourist e-visa and a residency visa in the UAE?

• Tourist E-Visa: A tourist e-visa is typically issued for short-term visits to the UAE for tourism, family visits, or business meetings. It allows you to stay in the country for a limited period, ranging from 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of e-visa.
• Residency visa:  It is issued to the foreign visitor after he has already arrived in the nation after utilizing the entry permission. The foreigner's residency visa can only be applied for by sponsors who meet the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs requirements. For a resident visa, the sponsored person must submit to a medical examination, demonstrate his or her physical fitness, and pass a security inspection. Depending on the type of residence visa and the sponsor, the length of the stay varies. It may be for a year, two years, or three years.

Please also note that tourist e-visas do not confer any residency rights. You must leave the country when your visa expires. On the other hand, residency visas provide you with the legal status to reside in the UAE for the duration of the visa's validity.

Furthermore, while tourist e-visas do not require a specific sponsor. You can apply for them individually via our website, UAE Visa Services; residency visas require a UAE-based sponsor, such as an employer or a family member who is a UAE resident.

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