Reference
Visa & Immigration Glossary
48+ key visa, UAE residency, business setup and global mobility terms — explained in plain language, no bureaucratic jargon. Written by Oki-Doki's licensed consultants.
Travel Visas & Schengen
- 90/180 RuleПравило 90/180
- The Schengen short-stay limit: a maximum of 90 days of presence within any rolling 180-day window. The window moves with each day of stay — exceeding it counts as overstay and risks entry bans.
- BiometricsБиометрия
- Fingerprints (all 10) and a digital photo collected during a visa application. For Schengen visas, biometrics are stored in the VIS database for 59 months — repeat applicants within that window may not need to re-submit.
- ETIAS
- The EU's upcoming electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt nationals (similar to the US ESTA). It is not a visa — UAE residents who need Schengen visas are unaffected; visa-free passport holders will pre-register online.
- Multiple-Entry VisaМультивиза
- A visa that allows unlimited entries into the destination country or zone while it remains valid. Schengen multiple-entry visas are typically granted for 1–5 years to applicants with clean travel history.
- NOC (No Objection Certificate)NOC
- A letter from your UAE employer or sponsor confirming your employment, salary, approved leave dates and that they have no objection to your travel. A core document for most visa applications filed from the UAE.
- Proof of Funds (Bank Statement)Подтверждение средств
- Evidence you can finance your trip — usually 3–6 months of personal bank statements. Consulates check for a sufficient closing balance and a stable transaction history, not just a one-off deposit before applying.Bank balance calculator
- Schengen AreaШенгенская зона
- A zone of 29 European countries that abolished internal border controls. Once you enter with a valid Schengen visa, you can move between member states freely without further passport checks.
- Schengen VisaШенгенская виза
- A short-stay visa that allows travel across all 29 Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. One visa covers the entire zone — you apply at the consulate of your main destination country.Schengen visa services
- Single-Entry VisaОднократная виза
- A visa valid for one entry only. Once you leave the destination country, the visa expires even if unused days remain. Common for first-time Schengen applicants.
- Transit VisaТранзитная виза
- A visa for passing through a country en route to another destination. Airport transit visas (type A) only permit staying airside; standard transit requires checking your nationality-specific rules — some passports transit visa-free.
- Travel ItineraryМаршрут поездки
- A day-by-day outline of your trip: confirmed (or reserved) flights, accommodation and planned movements between cities. Consulates accept refundable bookings — you are not required to buy non-refundable tickets before approval.
- Visa Application Center (VFS / TLScontact / BLS)Визовый центр
- An outsourced service company (e.g., VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS International) that collects visa applications, documents and biometrics on behalf of embassies. The decision itself is always made by the consulate, not the center.
- Visa RefusalОтказ в визе
- A negative decision on a visa application, issued with a standardized reason code. A refusal is not permanent — you can appeal or reapply with a corrected file. Refusals must be declared in most future applications.
- Visa Validity vs. Duration of StayСрок действия визы и срок пребывания
- Validity is the date range during which the visa can be used; duration of stay is the maximum number of days you may remain per visit. A 2-year Schengen visa still limits each stay to 90 days per 180.
UAE Residency & Government
- Ejari
- Dubai's official tenancy contract registration system. An Ejari certificate proves your registered address and is required for family visa sponsorship, DEWA connection, school enrollment and many government applications.
- Emirates ID
- The mandatory national identity card for all UAE residents and citizens, issued by ICP. It serves as your legal ID, links to your residence visa, and is required for banking, telecom, health insurance and most government services.
- Entry PermitРазрешение на въезд
- The electronic authorization that lets you enter the UAE to begin the residence visa process. After arrival (or an in-country status change), you complete medical tests, biometrics and Emirates ID issuance to activate residency.
- Family SponsorshipСемейное спонсорство
- A UAE resident sponsoring residence visas for family members (spouse, children, parents). Requires a minimum salary (typically AED 4,000–10,000 depending on who is sponsored), an Ejari/tenancy and health insurance for each dependent.Family visa service
- GDRFA
- The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs — Dubai's immigration authority. It issues entry permits, residence visas and status changes for Dubai-sponsored visas. Other emirates are handled by the federal ICP.
- ICP (Federal Authority)ICP
- The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security. It issues Emirates IDs nationwide and processes visas for all emirates except Dubai (which uses GDRFA).
- Medical Fitness TestМедицинский тест
- A mandatory health screening (blood test + chest X-ray) for every UAE residence visa issuance or renewal, checking for communicable diseases. Done at government-approved centers; results feed directly into the visa system.
- MOHRE
- The UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation. It approves work permits and employment contracts for mainland companies and runs the labour dispute system. Free zone employees are governed by their zone authority instead.
- Overstay FineШтраф за просрочку визы
- A daily penalty (AED 50/day for most visa types) charged for remaining in the UAE after your visa or grace period expires. Fines must be cleared before exiting, renewing or changing status.
- Status Change (In-Country)Смена статуса внутри страны
- Converting your UAE visa status without exiting the country — e.g., from tourist to employment or residence. It replaces the old "visa run" border exit and is processed through GDRFA or ICP for a government fee.
- UAE Golden VisaЗолотая виза ОАЭ
- A 10-year renewable UAE residence visa for investors (AED 2M+ in property or funds), entrepreneurs, top specialists, scientists and outstanding students. It requires no employer sponsor and allows long absences from the UAE.Golden Visa service
- UAE Green VisaЗелёная виза ОАЭ
- A 5-year self-sponsored UAE residence visa for skilled employees (salary AED 15,000+, bachelor's degree) and freelancers/self-employed professionals with documented income. No employer sponsorship needed.Green Visa service
- UAE Residence VisaРезидентская виза ОАЭ
- A long-term visa (typically 2, 5 or 10 years) that lets you live in the UAE. It is linked to a sponsor — an employer, family member, property or your own company — and is stamped digitally against your passport and Emirates ID.UAE visa services
- Visa RunВиза-ран
- Exiting and re-entering the UAE (historically via a border trip to Oman) to reset a visit visa. Largely replaced by in-country status change; rules tighten periodically, so relying on repeated visa runs is risky.
UAE Business Setup
- ApostilleАпостиль
- A simplified international certification under the Hague Convention. Note: the UAE joined the Apostille Convention in 2024 — many documents now need only an apostille instead of the full embassy attestation chain. Verify per document type.
- Document AttestationЛегализация документов
- The multi-step legalization chain (origin country → UAE embassy → MOFA UAE) that makes foreign documents — degrees, marriage certificates, POAs — legally valid in the UAE. Required for family visas, employment and company formation.
- Establishment CardКарта компании
- The immigration file card that registers your company with GDRFA/ICP, enabling it to sponsor residence visas for owners and employees. A prerequisite before any company visa can be issued.
- Free ZoneФризона
- A designated UAE economic zone (e.g., IFZA, DMCC, RAKEZ) offering 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, simplified setup and its own licensing authority. Free zone companies face restrictions on trading directly in the mainland market.Business setup services
- Freelance Permit / VisaФриланс-разрешение / виза
- A license that lets individuals work independently in the UAE without a company or employer, plus an optional linked residence visa. Issued by several free zones and (for some sectors) government talent programs.Freelance visa service
- LLC (Limited Liability Company)LLC
- The most common UAE mainland legal form. Shareholders' liability is limited to their capital contribution. Suitable for trading, services and most commercial activities across the Emirates.LLC formation
- Mainland CompanyМатериковая компания
- A company licensed by an emirate's Department of Economic Development (DED) that can trade anywhere in the UAE and bid for government contracts. Most activities now allow 100% foreign ownership.Mainland setup
- Power of Attorney (POA)Доверенность
- A notarized document authorizing someone to act legally on your behalf in the UAE — sign company documents, manage property or handle government procedures. POAs issued abroad require attestation before UAE use.
- Trade LicenseТорговая лицензия
- The legal permit that defines what business activities your UAE company may conduct. Issued by a free zone authority or DED, renewed annually. Operating outside your licensed activities risks fines.
- UAE Corporate TaxКорпоративный налог ОАЭ
- A 9% federal tax on business profits above AED 375,000, effective since June 2023. Qualifying free zone companies can retain a 0% rate on qualifying income. Personal salaries and most investment income remain untaxed.
- VAT (Value Added Tax)НДС
- The UAE's 5% consumption tax. Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 per year (voluntary from AED 187,500). Registered businesses file periodic returns with the Federal Tax Authority.
Global Mobility & Immigration
- Citizenship by Investment (CBI)Гражданство за инвестиции
- Programs granting full citizenship and a passport for an economic contribution — donation or real estate. Caribbean programs (Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts) start around $200,000+ and process in roughly 6–12 months.Caribbean CBI
- Digital Nomad VisaВиза цифрового кочевника
- A residence permit for remote workers earning from abroad — offered by Spain, Portugal, Croatia, the UAE and 50+ countries. Typical requirements: proof of remote income (€2,000–3,500+/month), insurance and clean record.Residency programs
- Golden Visa (Residency by Investment)Золотая виза
- A residence permit granted for qualifying investment — real estate, funds or business. Greece (€250k+ property) remains the most accessible EU option; Portugal's program now runs through funds, not property.Greece Golden Visa
- Permanent Residency (PR / ПМЖ)Постоянное место жительства
- An indefinite right to live and work in a country, normally granted after 3–5 years of temporary residency. PR holders keep their original citizenship but gain near-citizen rights except voting and a passport.
- Portugal D7 VisaВиза D7
- Portugal's passive income residency visa for non-EU citizens with stable income (pension, dividends, rentals) of at least the Portuguese minimum wage (~€870/month). Leads to permanent residency after 5 years and eligibility for citizenship.Portugal D7 program
- Residence Permit (ВНЖ)Вид на жительство
- Official permission to live in a country long-term without citizenship — usually renewable and often a path to permanent residency. Distinct from a visa (entry document): the permit governs your ongoing legal stay.All residency programs
- Sponsor / SponsorshipСпонсор / спонсорство
- The person or entity legally responsible for a visa holder — an employer, family member, university or company. In visa applications, a sponsor may also be someone funding your trip, with proof of relationship and finances.
- Tax ResidencyНалоговое резидентство
- The country entitled to tax your worldwide income — usually where you spend 183+ days per year or hold your center of vital interests. UAE tax residents benefit from 0% personal income tax and a growing treaty network.
- Travel Medical Insurance (Schengen)Туристическая медицинская страховка
- Mandatory coverage for Schengen applications: minimum €30,000 medical coverage, valid across the entire Schengen Area for all travel dates, including repatriation. Missing or insufficient insurance is a common refusal trigger.
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