Fujairah Investor Visa & Residency by Investment ProgramsScenic mountain and coastalresidency with GCC connectivity

Residence and Citizenship in Fujairah

Why people seek residence and citizenship in Fujairah

Fujairah, the UAE’s only emirate on the Gulf of Oman, attracts individuals and families seeking a residence permit in Fujairah for its unique blend of coastal beauty, mountainous terrain, and strategic free-zone infrastructure. Nestled against the Hajar Mountains, with long sandy beaches and clear eastern waters, Fujairah offers year-round outdoor activities—snorkeling at Snoopy Island, diving reefs, mountain trekking, and wadis exploration—within easy reach of its urban center. Its proximity to Dubai (approximately 120 km via Sheikh Khalifa Highway) provides access to major airports and business hubs without the congestion and costs of larger cities. Lower real estate prices, affordable rents, and family-friendly communities—compared to Dubai or Abu Dhabi—make Fujairah particularly appealing to professionals, retirees, and entrepreneurs.

Economically, Fujairah operates key maritime and industrial assets. Fujairah Port, a world-class oil bunkering and storage hub outside the Strait of Hormuz, handles millions of barrels monthly, while the adjacent Fujairah Free Zone (FFZ) provides 100 % foreign ownership, zero customs duties, and flexible licence structures for trading, logistics, and manufacturing companies. Additional specialized zones—Fujairah Creative City for media, technology, and education services—broaden opportunities for digital nomads and SMEs. The emirate’s low operating costs, absence of personal income tax, and strategic location along major shipping lanes underpin Fujairah’s growing reputation as an alternative business and lifestyle destination within the UAE.

Quality of life in Fujairah is supported by expanding healthcare facilities—Fujairah Hospital and private clinics—international schools following British, American, and CBSE curricula, and community amenities such as malls, sports clubs, and cultural centres. The Emirate’s government emphasizes sustainable development, investing in desalination, renewable energy projects, and heritage conservation, which enhances resident wellbeing. For those seeking residence and citizenship in Fujairah, the combination of fiscal advantages, strategic logistics, natural beauty, and cost-effective living creates a compelling proposition.

Types of residence permits and citizenship pathways

Fujairah offers several tailored visa categories to meet varied residency goals:

• Golden Visa (5- & 10-Year): Renewable long-term residency for investors who purchase property worth ≥ AED 2 million (5-year) or make diversified capital investments ≥ AED 10 million, including company shares or bonds. Golden Visa holders may sponsor family members—spouses, children up to 25, and dependent parents—without an employer sponsor.
• Investor/Partner Visa: Three-year residency for entrepreneurs and shareholders with a minimum share capital of AED 72 000 in companies established in Fujairah Free Zone or Fujairah Creative City. Enables 100 % foreign ownership and duty-free imports/exports.
• Employment Visa: Two- or three-year residency sponsored by Fujairah-based employers across sectors—industrial, hospitality, education—requiring labour permit approval by MOHRE, medical fitness certification, and Emirates ID registration with GDRFA Fujairah.
• Remote Work Visa: One-year renewable permit for remote employees and digital nomads earning ≥ USD 5 000/month, allowing them to base in Fujairah while working for foreign companies. Applicants need proof of employment, income statements, and valid health insurance.
• Retirement Visa: Five-year residency for retirees aged ≥ 55 meeting financial criteria—AED 800 000 savings, AED 20 000 annual pension income, or AED 1 million in real estate—plus comprehensive health insurance.
• Family Sponsorship: Eligible visa holders (Golden, Investor, Employment, Retirement) may sponsor spouses, children (including tertiary students), and dependent parents—subject to minimum salary (AED 4 000–10 000/month) or accommodation requirements.
• Citizenship by Exception: While UAE citizenship is highly selective, federal resolutions allow nomination of exceptional investors, specialists, and innovators for naturalisation, culminating in full citizenship rights after evaluation.

Requirements and application process

Applicants must compile documentation tailored to their chosen visa category. Universal prerequisites include:

• Valid passport with ≥ 6 months remaining validity.
• Two recent passport-style photographs.
• Health insurance valid in the UAE (EOPYY-equivalent or private).
• Apostilled criminal record certificate translated into English or Arabic.
• Completed application forms via ICA’s e-channels or GDRFA Fujairah portal.

Category-specific documents include:

• Golden Visa: Real estate purchase agreement and title deed in Fujairah (minimum AED 2 M) or audited financial statements for capital investment; NOC if converting from existing visa; medical fitness certificate.
• Investor/Partner Visa: Company licence from FFZ or Creative City, lease agreement for office space, share certificates; memorandum of association; passport copies; medical report.
• Employment Visa: Employer-sponsored work permit approval from MOHRE; labour contract; salary certificate; medical test; Emirates ID registration.
• Remote Work Visa: Proof of employment or contract; last three months’ bank statements; health insurance; passport copy; no-objection letter if previously resident.
• Retirement Visa: Proof of age (passport or birth certificate); bank statements or pension statements; property deed if applicable; health insurance; medical certificate.

Initial applications are submitted online; once approved, candidates complete biometric enrolment and visa stamping at GDRFA Fujairah. Processing times range from 2–4 weeks for Golden Visa and Remote Work Visa, 3–5 weeks for Investor Visas, and up to 6 weeks for Retirement and Employment Visas. Renewal applications require updated proof of maintained eligibility submitted at least one month before expiration.

Legal framework and government policies

Fujairah’s residency and potential citizenship pathways operate under UAE federal and emirate-level legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 1973 (Nationality and Passports); Federal Law No. 17 of 1972 (Entry, Residency & Departure); Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2021 (Golden Visa framework); and MOHRE ministerial resolutions on employment and retirement visas. Emirate authorities—Fujairah’s Department of Economic Development, GDRFA Fujairah, FFZ Authority, and Fujairah Creative City—administer local regulations. The UAE Financial Intelligence Unit enforces AML/CTF rules, requiring source-of-fund verification for investor categories. Digital platforms (ICA’s UAE PASS, MOHRE TAMM, GDRFA Fujairah e-portal) facilitate end-to-end application submission, fee payment, appointment scheduling, and status tracking, ensuring transparent, efficient processes for Fujairah residents and businesses.

Lifestyle, infrastructure, and long-term benefits

Residency in Fujairah unlocks a balanced lifestyle supported by robust infrastructure and strategic advantages:

• Affordable Housing: Communities like Al Faseel, Al Sidir, and Fujairah Corniche offer modern apartments, townhouses, and villas at rents 20–30 % below Dubai and Sharjah, with landscaped parks and community centres.
• Healthcare & Education: Fujairah Hospital, Thumbay University Hospital’s Fujairah campus, and private clinics provide comprehensive care. International schools—Fujairah English School, Our Own English School—offer British and CBSE curricula, while universities (Gulf Medical University satellite) support higher education.
• Connectivity: Regular ferry services connect Fujairah to Musandam; Sheikh Khalifa Highway links to Dubai and Abu Dhabi; future Etihad Rail will integrate the emirate into the GCC rail network. Fujairah International Airport supports regional cargo and private aviation.
• Free Zone & Port: FFZ and KIZAD’s proximity enable streamlined logistics, manufacturing, and commodity trading. Port of Fujairah’s deep-water terminals bolster energy storage, bunkering, and container operations, directly benefiting regional supply chains.
• Recreation & Nature: Snoopy Island dive site, Wadi Wurayah waterfalls (UAE’s first protected mountain reserve), and Fujairah Fort heritage area offer cultural and ecological attractions. Beach resorts and water-sport clubs line the Corniche.
• Fiscal Advantages: Zero personal income tax, no capital gains or inheritance taxes, and competitive corporate tax regimes—applicable only to oil, gas, and foreign banks—maximize financial security and planning flexibility.

Residents enjoy Schengen-style mobility within the GCC and UAE, with up to 90 days’ visa-free travel across member states and streamlined inter-emirate movement. After five years of continuous residency, holders may apply for indefinite residence permits, enhancing long-term stability and family planning. Citizenship by exception remains highly selective, reserved for exceptional investors, specialists, and innovators nominated by federal bodies.

How VelesClub Int. helps

VelesClub International delivers end-to-end, personalized services for clients pursuing residence and citizenship in Fujairah:

• Strategic Assessment: We analyse clients’ investment goals, professional background, family requirements, and lifestyle preferences to recommend optimal visa routes (Golden, Investor, Employment, Remote Work, Retirement).
• Investment & Business Advisory: Guidance on property selection in freehold zones and company formation in FFZ or Creative City, leveraging 100 % foreign ownership and zero customs duties.
• Documentation Management: Coordination of apostilles, certified translations, financial due diligence, medical fitness tests, and background checks, with digital submissions via ICA, MOHRE, and GDRFA Fujairah portals.
• Family Sponsorship & Relocation: Assistance with dependent visa applications, school placements, healthcare enrolment, and cultural orientation to ensure seamless integration.
• Post-Visa Support & Renewals: Support with Emirates ID issuance, health insurance renewal, bank account opening, tax planning advice, visa renewals, and naturalization nominations for exceptional contributors.

Leveraging deep Fujairah expertise, strategic government connections, and a proven success record, VelesClub International ensures a seamless, efficient, and fully tailored journey to secure residence permits and explore citizenship pathways in Fujairah—empowering clients to thrive in an emirate defined by natural beauty, industrial strength, and tax-efficient living.