Right to Life: How to Obtain a Visa in Dubai.

The standard visa that Russians receive for free at Dubai airport is valid for 90 days. For a vacation, this is more than enough, but what do you do if you plan to stay longer? The answer is before you.

What is required for obtaining a visa

In Dubai, as in the other seven emirates of the UAE, there are strict but transparent laws that make it practically impossible to obtain local citizenship. However, since the young Arab state depends on foreigners for its livelihood (they occupy the majority of jobs in the country), the issuance of work (residence) visas is streamlined.

This visa is essentially equivalent to a residence permit and is valid for 3 years. To obtain it, you need to submit a package of documents to the police department:

1. Passport. Its validity must be at least half a year longer than the requested visa.
2. A document confirming one of the grounds for such a visa: purchase of property in the UAE, opening a business in the country, employment by a local employer, or enrolling in a university.
3. Income confirmation certificates. Not less than $2,700 for the applicant and not less than $1,500 for each member of his/her family.
4. Medical insurance policy and examination results from one of the clinics in the Emirates.
5. Three copies of the completed application form (in English or Arabic).
6. Receipts for payment of consular fees and duties
7. Photographs (3 pieces).

This process will need to be repeated every 3 years, and so on until the total period of stay in Dubai reaches 15 years. After that, you can apply for a local passport.

However, even obtaining it will not make you a citizen of the UAE - you will simply have another document confirming your identity. Moreover, to obtain it, you will have to pass an examination on knowledge of the Arabic language, local culture, and the basics of religion.

The Nuance with a Driver's License

Unlike a tourist visa, with a resident visa, you will be prohibited from driving a car using your Russian driver's license (even if it is an international one), so you will need to obtain a local driver's license. To do this, you will have to sit down and undergo training in Arabic, Urdu, or English (we can guess which option you will choose).

The duration of the training depends on your driving experience in your home country. An experienced driver can complete it in two weeks. During this time, they will attend courses and take exams (35 theoretical questions and 7 practical exercises). A beginner will need at least 2 months.