To be eligible for an entry visa to Abu Dhabi, foreigners should have a passport with a validity starting six months before their arrival to the city. Citizens of Israel are not entertained, and neither are nationals of other countries whose passports have the stamp of Israel.

To obtain an Entry Visa into Abu Dhabi, click here.

For online services for the Entry Visa, refer to www.moieserv.ae/website/index-en.html

Residence Visa

If you wish to work and live in Abu Dhabi, an application to the Immigration Department for a residence visa has to be made, endorsed by your sponsor. A residence visa is issued for three years. An application for a residence visa must be accompanied by a health card issued by the Ministry of Health. Applicants testing positive for AIDS are not granted a visa. The residence visa or work permit can be applied for here. Officially, the residence visa is issued in 25 working days, but delays running into a couple of months are common.

Identity Card

All expatriates in Abu Dhabi are required to register themselves with the Emirates Identity Authority and apply for an identity card. Foreigners should submit notarized documents with the application.

Details of the process and the application form can be downloaded here.

The ID card stores all your personal data and can be used in all dealings with the Abu Dhabi government.

Driving License

A driving license is issued to an expatriate only after his/her residence visa has been processed. Till the date the residence permit is issued, foreigners can use an International Driving License. The International Driving License cannot be used once the residence visa has been issued.

A driving test is not necessary for holders of a license from the GCC countries and any of the 32 countries listed in the "Getting There" section of this guide. To obtain a UAE license, the minimum age is 18 years. For further details, and more information on travel and vehicle registration, click here.

For all other government services and licenses, the following site may be useful: www.abudhabi.ae

A family visa can be applied for if an individual earning more than Dhs 4000 is bringing his family to Abu Dhabi. The family visa includes sponsorship for parents, spouse, sons and daughters below 18 years.

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