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Immigrate to UAE from Canada

Immigrate to UAE from Canada

The UAE is very appealing for citizens of all over the world who want to make a drastic change. Emirates like Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer a mixture of the Middle Eastern and Western cultures which is why they are the most attractive when it comes to immigration from various countries, like the USA and Canada. Those who want to immigrate to UAE from Canada can rely on our immigration lawyers in Dubai who can offer them specialized assistance in everything related to visa selection and document preparation and filing with the national authorities in this country.

 Quick Facts  
 Entry visa requirement (YES/NO)  Yes, however, a visa on arrival can be issued.

 Main ways to immigrate to the UAE from Canada

–  employment,

– business,

– investment,

– family reunion

 Employment immigration requirements

A Canadian citizen needs a valid employment contract for a work visa in Dubai. 

 Business immigration requirements  Canadians can open companies and apply for residence permits that enable them to move to Dubai.
 Investment options

– business setup,

– real estate acquisition,

– capital injection in investment funds 

 Requirements for family reunion

 Family reunion is possible only if the Canadian citizen has a family member living in Dubai.

 Other programs enabling immigration from Canada to Dubai

 Start-up Visa Scheme

 Validity of a temporary residence permit

 Ranges from 1 to 3 years

 Time frame to obtain a residence permit in Dubai (approx.) 

 10 – 15 days

 Permanent residence in Dubai  Permanent residency can be obtained after 5 or 10 years, depending on the reason for immigration.
 Documents required to obtain residency

– valid passport and residence visa,

– marriage certificate (if applicable),

– proof of financial means of self-sustenance,

– other documents in accordance with the reason for immigration. 

 Access to UAE citizenship

 Citizenship is hard to obtain, which is why permanent residency through investment is available for Canadians seeking to live here on a long term.

 Easiest way to move to Dubai

Most immigration pathways are simple nowadays and choosing one depends on a person’s qualifications. 

Why move to Dubai  

 – access to numerous business opportunities,

– possibility to acquire real estate for personal use or investment,

– no personal income tax

 Support in moving to Dubai (YES/NO) Yes, our law firm in Dubai can help you relocate. 

Short-term stays of Canadian citizens in the UAE

Just like in the case of American citizens, Canadian ones can also travel to the UAE without the prior requirement of applying for visa if they plan to stay here for a maximum period of 30 days. All they need is their valid passports. The minimum validity of this document must be, however, of at least 6 months.

This type of visa is a good choice for tourists and businesspersons seeking to set up companies in the UAE.

Our law firm in Dubai is at your service no matter the reason you have for immigration to UAE from Canada. You can also rely on us if you want to open a company here.

Long-term types of visa when immigrating to UAE from Canada

Not all foreign citizens come to the UAE for short periods, which is why for those who want to immigrate to UAE from Canada for more than one year or even permanently, there are several types of visas that enable them to do that. These are:

  1. the work visa which depends on an employment offer or job from a UAE-based company,
  2. the dependent visa which is similar to the Canadian spouse visa and implies similar sponsorship requirements,
  3. the student visa which enables Canadian students to complete their education in the UAE,
  4. the investor visa which is the most suitable option for those who want to set up companies in the UAE,
  5. the real estate investor visa which is can be obtained by high net worth Canadian citizens who want to lease a property in the UAE.

Each type of visa is subject to different conditions which can be explained in detail by our Dubai lawyers.

We can also help you if you want to relocate from the UK to the UAE. We are at your disposal with various services related to immigration to Dubai.

How to obtain UAE residency as a Canadian citizen

Those who want to move to UAE from Canada with the purpose of obtaining residence permits should know that these are issued alongside the types of visa they applied for.

For example, a Canadian citizen who obtains employment in Dubai will be issued both the work visa and the residence permit at the same time. The procedure for their issuance has been significantly improved in the past few years and these are issued must faster than before.

An important aspect to consider is that every emirate also has its own regulations apart from the national ones. This is why, if you plan on immigration to Dubai from Canada, you can ask our lawyers about the procedures applicable here.

When it comes to the documents that need to be prepared for immigration to UAE from Canada, the following should be considered:

  • the valid passport and recent passport-sized photos,
  • proof of work experience and educational background in the case of employees of UAE companies,
  • marriage certificate in the case of spouses of UAE citizens or residents,
  • acceptance letter from the UAE-based education facility in the case of students,
  • bank statements providing for the proof the funds to invest in the case of Canadian investors.

These must be accompanied by a health certificate.

 If you need assistance in preparing the documents to relocate to UAE from Canada, our Dubai law firm is at your service.

Moving to Dubai from Canada based on employment

Find a job and securing a work contract is one of the main paths through which a Canadian citizen can relocate to Dubai. There are plenty of jobs available in the Emirate, and most of the workforce here is made of expats.

A Canadian citizen needs to obtain the offer, accept it, and sign the employment contract followed by the immigration procedure which must be initiated by the employer.

 People who want to immigrate to Dubai from Canada must also go to through certain formalities wit the UAE embassy or consular office and then come to the Emirate and start working and living here.

What should be noted about work visas is that these are issued with temporary residence permits, and thus, they require living here for several years in order to qualify for permanent residency.

If you are interested in moving to Dubai from Canada, our immigration lawyers in Dubai can offer the necessary support in applying for various types of visas.

Dependent visas for relatives of Canadian citizens

Persons who move to Dubai from Canada can relocate with their families or can bring them after establishing themselves here. No matter the decision one makes, the dependent visa is the main document his/her close family members need to obtain.

In the UAE, just like in other Middle Eastern countries but also in some Western states, the sponsorship requirement applies. This means that the Canadian citizen must vouch for the relatives they bring into the country. The sponsor can be the foreign citizen or his/her employer, in case he or she has come here based on an employment contract.

Either way, there are specific income conditions for meet, among which having sufficient financial resources for supporting him/herself and the family members joining. The following thresholds apply:

  • 4,000 AED is required for moving to Dubai with the wife, children, parents, or parents-in‑law;
  • 5,500 AED is required for siblings or other family members;
  • 7,000 AED is the minimum amount for brother and/or sisters-in-laws relocating to Dubai;
  • 10,000 AED is the minimum income for other persons who want to enter Dubai based on sponsorship.

It is worth noting that under the current laws, foreign citizens can also support unrelated persons, such as friends, who want to come to Dubai provided that they earn at least 10,000 AED and have place to stay.

Moving to Dubai from Canada comes with many benefits, including the option of obtaining citizenship provided that certain requirements are met. You can rely on our law firm in Dubai for tailored assistance in immigration matters.

Becoming permanent residents of Dubai under the new Immigration Law

Not long ago, the UAE made important changes in its immigration legislation and one of them targets highly skilled migrants who can be elected for relocation here, but most importantly for permanent residency.

This is not the same as the investor visas, as this new regulation was enabled for:

  • doctors;
  • physicians;
  • engineers;
  • scientists;
  • artists.

The procedure is fairly simple and Canadian citizens who meet certain requirements must file proof that they meet and in exchange they can be elected by Crown Prince Courts or by Executive Councils or Rulers directly.

Moving to Dubai from Canada under these new rules comes with requirements like the international recognition of their merits, at least 10 years of experience in the case of medical staff and other similar conditions.

If you are interested in this option, feel free to get an evaluation from our lawyers in Dubai who can then help you obtain permanent residency.

Is the investor visa still an option to relocate to Dubai from Canada?

Yes, Canadian citizens can also apply for investor visas provided that they meet the financial requirements attached it to this program. They can either register companies or acquire properties in designated areas and thus obtain residence permits.

Moving to Dubai from Canada based on this type of visa comes with various benefits, among which some of the most important refer to owning real estate in one of the most spectacular cities in the world or having one’s own company and enjoying the tax-free environment available here.

What is the easiest way to immigrate to UAE from Canada?

Choosing the best immigration way depends entirely on the social status of a Canadian citizen who wants to move to UAE, however, employment is one of the safest as it ensures a good income and access to permanent residency, as UAE citizenship is obtained under very strict conditions.

Our lawyers in Dubai can guide foreign citizens who want to move to the UAE, including Canadian ones.

Bilateral economic relations between UAE and Canada

The UAE and Canada have outstanding economic relations, according to the Canada UAE Business Council which has issued a report stating that:

  • between 2014 and 2018, the total trade value between the two countries was 5 billion AED,
  • Canada is UAE’s 2nd largest export market on the North American continent,
  • UAE is Canada’s 22nd largest export market in the Middle East,
  • there were more than 40,000 Canadian citizens living in the UAE at the level of 2019.

Tailored assistance in immigration to Dubai

Canadian citizens who want to immigrate to Dubai can rely on our team who is made of specialists ready to provide support no matter the type of residence permit sought. We can handle the preparation of the documents and their filing with the competent authorities. We can also offer guidance in finding accommodation for rent, lease or even purchase and take care of all the legal aspects related to it.

If you want to immigrate to UAE from Canada and need assistance, please contact our lawyers.