A detailed guide to living in Dubai for Tunisians

Expats and foreign residents in the United Arab Emirates make up nearly 90% of the total population, giving the UAE a unique and rare demographic structure worldwide. The country welcomes expats, including investors, entrepreneurs, wealthy individuals, as well as skilled and talented youth seeking to build their professional and social success in a country that embraces the world, offering a microcosm of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures.

The service, trade, investment, and production sectors in the UAE rely heavily on foreign labor and expertise from all nationalities worldwide.

As for population density in the UAE, it is concentrated in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as they are the largest in area and the most central and important. Abu Dhabi is the political and administrative capital, while Dubai is the economic, investment, and tourism hub of the country.

In this article, we will discuss living in the UAE for Tunisians, especially in Dubai, the advantages and disadvantages of living in Dubai, how to move to Dubai, and other related topics.

Do Tunisians Have the Right to Live in Dubai?

Yes, Tunisians have the right to live in Dubai. The laws of the Dubai government regarding foreign residency allow all nationalities, including Tunisians, to live and settle in Dubai under the conditions specified by legal regulations. These laws also allow them to own property in designated freehold areas, granting them the right to own property with full freehold rights, as well as usufruct rights or lease rights for up to 99 years in areas specified by the Dubai Land Department.

How to Move to Live in Dubai

Since the Emirate of Dubai in the UAE is described as a country of luxury and rapid development, keeping pace with modernity in every detail of life, moving to Dubai has become a dream for many Arab youth, including Tunisians. Many are searching for comprehensive answers on how to move to Dubai.

Tunisians wishing to discover the "City of Dreams" and experience life in Dubai for Tunisians can move to Dubai for work, tourism, or investment by obtaining one of the visas that legally allow entry into the UAE.

The Dubai government grants Tunisians wishing to come to the city the ability to obtain a visa, which can be applied for electronically through official government websites and apps, or through authorized external service offices accredited by the Dubai government.

The Dubai government offers many types of entry visas for Tunisians, depending on the individual's purpose and goal for coming to Dubai.

Types of Residence Permits Available for Tunisians in Dubai

Tunisians can obtain several types of legal residency in Dubai, including the following:

• Work Residency: The Tunisian resident in Dubai is sponsored by the company or employer. This residency is renewed based on the continuation of employment with the host entity. Work residency is the most common type among all residency types. All foreign job seekers in Dubai must obtain a work residency visa. The sponsoring company handles all paperwork, and the employee must undergo medical tests to ensure they are free from diseases. The cost of a work residency visa ranges from 2,400 to 4,500 AED, plus 1,000 AED for medical tests and typing center fees. Obtaining this visa takes about 10 days, with the possibility of expediting the process for an additional fee.
• Investor Residency in Dubai for Real Estate Investors: This is obtained by the Tunisian investor purchasing and owning a property or a group of properties in Dubai that meet the conditions for investor residency based on property ownership.

The type and duration of residency vary depending on the type and value of the property. Residency in Dubai through property purchase is considered one of the best guaranteed types, offering many benefits during the stay in Dubai, in addition to the investment returns from renting or reselling the property at a higher price.

A real estate investor in Dubai receives a Golden Visa residency in the UAE for 5 years, renewable if property ownership continues, or a non-Golden Visa property residency. Each type of property residency in Dubai has its own set of conditions. You can learn more by contacting us at Imtilak Global.

• Residency for Investors in the General Investment Category: The Dubai government grants residencies to Tunisian and other investors wishing to invest in any sector in the country, such as production, industry, tourism (restaurants, shops), and trade (import/export), among others.

The Tunisian investor in Dubai, whether investing in an existing company or establishing their own, can obtain a Golden Investor Residency valid for up to 10 years, renewable if the investment meets the Golden Residency requirements.

It is also possible to obtain a regular investor residency (not golden), valid for up to 5 years, if the investment meets other conditions.

• Entrepreneur Residency in Dubai: The UAE government grants legal residency to entrepreneurs with innovative or technology-based economic projects. This residency is valid for up to 5 years.
• Tourist Residency: Granted to those wishing to visit Dubai for tourism. The Dubai government offers short- and long-term tourist residencies, which can be sponsored by hotel bookings or tourist establishments where the Tunisian will stay during their visit.

Advantages of Living in Dubai for Tunisians

Among the advantages of living in Dubai for Tunisians is the availability of many investment opportunities, including real estate, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Dubai also has a strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, an ideal business environment, low taxes, and modern infrastructure for living in a developed society. The lifestyle is modern, healthy, and safe for individuals and families, with a high standard of living compared to other countries. There are real investment opportunities in a stable market and a fair competitive environment, benefiting from a strong healthcare system, and opportunities for innovation and creativity in exceptional projects and initiatives within an environment that fosters entrepreneurship and creativity.

Disadvantages of Living in Dubai for Tunisians

Despite all the advantages of living in Dubai, it is important to note that there are certain restrictions on foreign ownership in some sectors. Therefore, before making any investment in Dubai related to property ownership, it is advisable to seek advice from a specialized and experienced company to conduct comprehensive research on current investment opportunities, which can be obtained by contacting Imtilak Global.

It is also important to note that English is the main language in Dubai's work and investment environment. Many Tunisians may face challenges in communication and adaptation, as they speak French as a second language rather than English.

Dubai is also known for its high cost of living for newcomers seeking employment (other than investors). Dubai is one of the most expensive cities in the world, making it a challenging city for Tunisian workers seeking jobs, due to low wages compared to the high cost of living and competition from large numbers of Asian workers willing to work for low wages.

Living in Dubai Through Property Ownership

Tunisians are among the foreigners who have the opportunity to live, work, and settle in Dubai legally. Tunisian passport holders can invest, work, and settle in Dubai easily and conveniently.

The laws in Dubai allow Tunisians to obtain various types of legal residency in Dubai, suitable for all purposes for those wishing to come and live in the emirate. As previously mentioned, according to Dubai government laws and regulations, foreigners are allowed to own and buy property in Dubai, and are granted legal residency based on that ownership. Legal residency in Dubai through property ownership covers all family members of the foreign owner, including spouse, children, and domestic workers. Living in Dubai through property ownership provides stability and semi-permanent residency, as owning property ensures continuous approval for residency renewal in Dubai.

Article 3 of Regulation No. 3 of 2006 regarding the determination of areas for non-citizens to own property in Dubai refers to designated freehold areas (pages 115-117). Property ownership certificates in Dubai are issued by the Land Department, and there is no age restriction for ownership in the emirate.

Read also: A detailed guide to foreign property ownership in the UAE

Obtaining Residency in Dubai by Buying Property Through Imtilak Global

As part of its mission to provide the best available real estate options in Dubai at the best possible prices for all its foreign clients wishing to own property and reside in this vibrant emirate, Imtilak Global strives to offer a wide range of exceptional real estate opportunities to suit the client’s purchasing goals, including obtaining residency in Dubai through property purchase, meeting the client’s requirements and desires.

Imtilak Golden Real Estate’s services in Dubai come as a comprehensive package covering everything needed for those wishing to invest in Dubai’s active real estate market.

Edited by: Imtilak Global©

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