Moving to Dubai from Pakistan – A complete guide

Moving to a new location may frequently be a frightening journey rife with periods of uncertainty, perplexity, and even panic. A lot of ex-pats move to Dubai every year because of the city's limitless options and high standard of living. In Dubai, there is a substantial ex-pat community from Pakistan. We'll look at housing options, visa restrictions, and other information for people moving from Pakistan to Dubai as a Dubai visa for Pakistan nationals is available now easily.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

It's crucial to look into the many visa options available to Pakistani ex-pats if you want to relocate to Dubai. Currently, Pakistani nationals entering the UAE cannot obtain a visa upon arrival; therefore, if you want to visit Dubai before deciding whether to relocate, you will need to look into a sponsor-issued tourist visa or Dubai visit visa.

There are free and paid short-term transit visas for stays between 48 and 96 hours (AED 50). a longer visit visa that permits you to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days. Here are some of the visas that permit you to move to Dubai permanently from Pakistan, nevertheless.

• Employment Visa: This Dubai visa for Pakistani citizens enables Pakistani nationals to work in the emirate; the employer is in charge of processing this visa. In order to prevent falling victim to one of the many job visa-related scams, make sure you conduct the necessary due diligence to confirm the employer is real.

• Freelance Visa: There are freelance visas provided by Dubai-free zones that enable you to live and work in the UAE if you want not to be bound to a specific firm and would rather investigate freelancing jobs in the UAE. International Media Production Zone, Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, Dubai Media City, and Knowledge Village are some well-known free zones in Dubai that grant freelance licenses. For the most recent information on freelance visas in Dubai, consult with the appropriate authorities as the procedure and cost may differ according to the free zone.

• Dependent Visa: For those of you who already have a spouse, parent, or kid with a resident visa in Dubai, this UAE sponsorship visa is available. To be eligible to sponsor you, your spouse must demonstrate that they make at least AED 4,000 per month (or AED 3,000 per month plus housing). The minimal monthly salary needed for children wanting to sponsor retired parents is AED 20,000. Children under the age of 18 or, in the case of girls, until they get married, can be sponsored by parents.

• Student Visa: Students who are enrolled in Dubai's universities and other academic institutions are eligible to apply for this visa. There have recently been several announcements regarding longer-term, special student visas for people demonstrating a high level of academic excellence.

• Investor Visa: This type of visa is for people who own and operate their own enterprises in Dubai.

• Property Owner Visa: This Dubai visa for Pakistan passport holders is for Dubai's property owners. Depending on the cost of the property, different criteria apply to this kind of visa. To ascertain whether your investment will qualify you for a Dubai property visa, be sure to speak with a reputable real estate agent in Dubai.

The majority of the time, you must first get an entry permit to enter Dubai, and then you must go through a medical before your passport is stamped with the visa.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO MOVE TO DUBAI FROM PAKISTAN

You must make sure you have all the necessary papers to go to Dubai, even though the majority of the time the company will handle arranging your visas.

• Once you have the company's offer letter in hand, you must apply for the National Identity Card for Pakistanis Residing Abroad (NICOP). If you select the expedited option, this will be handled in 7 days. If not, it can take up to a month.

• A Protector's stamp is required for any Pakistani national going overseas on business. You must bring two copies of your passport, visa, or entry permission, the NICOP (or proof that you have paid for the NICOP), passport-size photos, an offer letter, and your guardian's CNIC to the Protectorate's office. Keep in mind to bring the processing fees, which will also pay for the required life insurance you must purchase. You can visit the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment, Pakistan, website for additional details.

• Having your degree certificate certified is also crucial. The Higher Education Council (HEC) in Pakistan must first certify this, and then the UAE Embassy in Pakistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation (MOFA/MOFAIC) must also certify it. You will also need to have it authenticated by the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) once you arrive in Dubai. Although there are firms that may carry out this task for you, we advise doing it yourself to guarantee that all necessary attestations have been made.

• Make sure whoever is in charge of organizing the ticket sends the airline the OK to Board message when your firm or sponsor delivers you the ticket's details. Make sure to do this if you are buying the tickets yourself because you might not be able to travel.

• Bring plenty of copies of your passport and passport-sized photos; you'll need them for the paperwork when you get to Dubai. It is advised to have at least 16 people.