UAE Immigration & Visas

Clear legal support for immigration & visa services in the UAE, helping you protect your rights, family, assets and future.

Immigration to the UAE (Tourist, Students, Golden Visa)

We specialize in individual UAE residency, managing applications for the Golden Visa, student visas, and other long-term options for you.

In-depth description

This service is dedicated to individuals seeking to make the UAE their home. We provide specialized assistance with all personal residency routes, including the prestigious Golden Visa, student visas, and other long-term options. We manage the entire application process, allowing you to focus on your move without the administrative burden.

Scope of work

  • Advise the client on their eligibility for various individual UAE residency visas, particularly the Golden Visa.
  • Prepare and submit the nomination and application forms through the official government portals.
  • Manage all required documentation, including the attestation of certificates.
  • Guide the client through the in-country medical and biometrics processes until the visa is stamped.

Price range

AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 (Fixed Fee)

Deliverables

  • A filed application for the chosen visa category.
  • Full guidance through the in-country formalities.
  • The client’s new UAE Residence Visa and Emirates ID.

Are you planning to make the UAE your permanent home?

Do you want to qualify for a UAE Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa offers 10-year residency for investors and professionals. We assess eligibility and manage the application.

Are you relocating to the UAE for work or education?

Employment and student visas have specific requirements and timelines. Expert handling avoids delays and rejections.

Is your current visa status uncertain or at risk?

Overstaying, visa cancellation, or status gaps can have serious consequences. We resolve issues quickly and discreetly.

Are you bringing family members to join you in the UAE?

Sponsoring dependants requires specific documentation and eligibility criteria. We manage the full process end to end.

Frequently asked questions

Main routes include: real estate investment (AED 2M ), business ownership with AED 2M capital, skilled professionals in priority fields, scientists and researchers, exceptional talents in arts and sports, and outstanding students. Each category has specific evidence requirements and application procedures.
Yes. Spouses and children (under 18, or over 18 if unmarried and enrolled in education) can be sponsored on your Golden Visa. Parents can also be sponsored in some cases. Sponsoring multiple family members requires careful sequencing of applications to avoid delays.
 
The process typically takes four to twelve weeks from submission of a complete application. Delays are most common when additional documents are requested, when medical or biometric appointments are backlogged, or when third-party verification of qualifications or investments takes longer than expected.
Student visas in the UAE are generally issued for study purposes only and do not automatically permit work. Some institutions and free zones operate specific arrangements for student internships, but formal paid employment typically requires a work permit. Always check the conditions attached to your specific visa.

Unlike standard UAE residence visas (which can lapse after 6 months outside the country), Golden Visas are more flexible. However, the precise rules on physical presence depend on your visa category. Maintaining your UAE tax residency, if intended, requires meeting separate presence requirements.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Géraldine Heimburger

Partner – Family Law, Notarial & Litigation

David Dutruc-Rosset

Associate – Family, Individuals & Litigation

Get in touch

Other services you might need

Your UAE visa status has direct implications for your tax position, property purchase rights and family residency situation.

Tax Situation Review & Departure Planning

Establishing UAE residency is only half the equation. We ensure your tax residency transfer is legally watertight.
Learn more

Property Purchase & Sales in the UAE - Legal Review

A property investment of AED 2M unlocks the Golden Visa. We handle both the purchase and the visa application.
Learn more

Expatriation & Relocation - Full Legal Concierge

Beyond the visa, relocation involves tax, employment and family law steps. We manage the full transition.
Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

UAE residency decisions have tax, family and legal implications that go well beyond the visa application itself.

1.

End-to-end guidance

We manage the full residency process – identifying the right visa category through to application, medical, Emirates ID and family sponsorship – while advising on the wider

2.

French-UAE fluency

French nationals relocating to the UAE must manage both the UAE visa process and the French tax residency exit. We handle both sides without the client needing to coordinate

3.

Senior counsel only

Residency decisions affect your tax status, family rights and long-term planning. They are handled by senior lawyers who understand the full legal picture

More than legal counsel

With you, all the way

Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.

From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.

Ready to move forward?

Talk to our team about your situation. We’ll walk you through your options and help you move forward with clarity.

Schedule a consultation

One hour consultation

book now

30-minute consultation

book now
Merger and Acquisition
  • Set-up of the Workstreams related to the Transaction
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Tax Due Diligence
  • Negotiating and Drafting the SPA
  • Assistance related to Conditions Precedents
  • Registration of the Transaction with the Authorities
Private Equity
  • Advisory on PE life cycle from Fund Formation, Capital Deployment, M&A, etc.
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Banking &Finance
  • Banking loan documentation negotiation and review including requested securities
  • Account opening requirements and forms
  • Compliance controls upon onboarding as a bank customer and regular updates to allow flawless funds repatriation
  • Escalation if needed with banking authorities and preparing file for litigation
  • Arabic speaker for immediate translation or intermediation with third parties including local authorities.
Commercial
  • Commercial Agency – Contract Drafting and Litigation
  • Rent-Sales Contract – Contract Drafting, Contract Management and Litigation
  • Logistic Services Contract
  • IT Services Contract
  • Intermediary Contract
  • Other Services Contract
Construction
  • FIDIC Short Form of Contract
  • FIDIC Larger or more complex projects (the Construction Contract)
  • FIDIC Contractor doing the Design (Plant and Design-Build Contract)
  • FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Contract
  • Review of Ad Hoc Contracts
  • Assistance for Management of the Contract
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Employment Relationship
  • Assistance during Recruitment Phase with Executive Search Agents or Recruitment Agency
  • Drafting Offer Letter and Employment Contract
  • Drafting Disciplinary Policy and Documentation
  • Registration of Company with Labour Authorities
  • Registration of Employee with Labour Authorities
  • Assistance During Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Termination Strategy and Execution
  • Litigation Services
HR Strategy – Advisory Services
  • Labour Market Analysis
  • Labour Legislation Memo and Manual
  • Analysis of Remuneration Trends, Structures and Composition
  • Labour Taxation
  • Industry Practice reg. bonus, schedule, overtime, leave, length of service, etc.
Business Set-Up and Maintenance
  • Comparative Study on Options Available
  • Legal Memorandum on Corporate and Tax Laws
  • Set-Up Services (Company, Immigration, Labour, Banking, Tax)
  • Nominee Services (Regulated Activity)
  • Shareholders Agreements
  • Board of Directors Structuring
  • Dissolution, Liquidation, Bankruptcy Proceedings
  • Litigation/Arbitration (Manager or Shareholders Dispute)
  • Redomiciliation
Joint Venture and Investors Relationship
  • Set-up of Joint Venture Company
  • Drafting Joint Venture Agreement
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Expatriation Services
  • Employment Package and Contract Review
  • Wealth Management Advisory
  • Tenancy Opportunities and Contract Advisory
  • Medical Insurance Advisory
  • Banking Advisory
  • School Advisory
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
Relocation
  • Resignation Strategy
  • Tax Situation Review
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
  • Administration of the Departure and Legal Representation
Advisory
  • Advisory Services on the Developer (reliability check)
  • Review of Contract with Developer
  • Conveyance of Property and Supervision of the Sales Process
  • Legal Representation for the Purchase/Sales
  • Assistance with Engineers and Contractors
  • Assistance with tenants or holidays home management firm
Litigation
  • Cancellation of Contract
  • Cancellation of Project
  • Disputes regarding Lands
  • Disputes regarding Permits and Licenses
  • Dispute with Engineer or Contractor
Civil Status
  • Amendment of Civil Status (divorced/married) in Home Country
  • Change of Name
  • Transcription of Marriage or Divorce
  • Legalisation Services with Consulate and Embassies
Nationality and Immigration
  • Application for Nationality due to family reasons
  • Coordination Services for Obtaining Nationality based on Investment (more than 40 countries)
  • Immigration Services to Schengen Country (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to GCC countries (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Golden Visa, Nationality)
Succession Planning
  • Overall Estate Planning with Financial and Legal Experts
  • Set-up of Shariah Compliant Foundation or Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Trust (DIFC, UAE, ADGM, Foreign based)
  • Set-up of Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Last Wills in the UAE, Qatar, KSA and various territories, as needed
  • Family Counseling - Mediation of dispute between family members
Inheritance Proceedings
  • In any country where there are assets
  • Court proceedings based on Shariah Law
  • Court proceedings based on Deceased Law
  • Court Proceedings based on Last Will
Crime against the Person and Narcotics
  • Assault, Sexual Abuse, Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Household Theft
  • Threat, Insult, Defamation, Harassment
  • Social Media Crimes
  • IT Crimes
  • Stealing or Misappropriation of Personal Data
  • Narcotics
Business Crimes
  • AML issues
  • Cryptocurrency and other Investment related Scams
  • Breach of Trust
  • Deception and Fraud
  • Theft of business secrets
  • Insolvency related Crimes
  • Accounting Crimes
  • Interpol
Marriages
  • Marriage between French nationals
  • Marriage involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Marriage involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Marriage involving two persons of different nationality
  • Marriage involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws
Divorces
  • Divorce between French nationals
  • Divorce involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Divorce involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Divorce involving two persons of different nationality
  • Divorce involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws