Foreigners can live as residents in the UAE if they are:

• employed by a company in the UAE – in this case, the company will apply and sponsor your residence visa while you are in the UAE.
• employed by the government sector – in this case, the government entity will apply and sponsor your visa while you are in the UAE.
• investors in a business in the UAE – in this case, the investor himself will process and apply for his visa under the sponsorship of his company’s registered name.
• buy a property in the UAE – in this case, the property owner’s residence visa will be sponsored under the property he owns.
• dependents that are sponsored by:
  • someone who is employed in the UAE
  • an investor/business owner in the UAE
  • a property owner in the UAE.

    Dependents include children, parents, maids, and close relatives.

• university students sponsored by their universities in the UAE – in this case, the university will apply and sponsor your visa under the educational institution’s name.
• retired residents – in this case, special conditions apply.

Note that a residence visa is issued to a foreigner when he/she is already inside the country after entering the UAE via an entry permit, short or long-term tourist or visit visa.