Knowledge hub
Immigration guides, in plain English
Also read
UAE resident guides
Documents UAE residents should prepare early
5 min read
Immigration guides
How points-based skilled migration works
5 min read
Country guides
Canada, Australia or the UK: how skilled professionals in Dubai can compare them
5 min read
Study abroad
Studying abroad from the UAE: a month-by-month timeline
7 min read
Browse by category
- Immigration guidesHow the main systems work, in plain English3 guides
- UAE resident guidesPractical steps for people applying from the UAE2 guides
- Country guidesComparisons and country briefings2 guides
- Work abroadJob offers, sponsorship and work permits2 guides
- Study abroadPlanning for students and parents1 guide
- Family immigrationPartners, children and parents1 guide
- Permanent residencySettlement and long-term planning1 guide
- Visa updatesConfirmed changes, with official sources1 guide
All guides
12 guides
Documents UAE residents should prepare early
Most delays in an application come from documents, not forms. This guide covers the papers that take longest to obtain from the UAE and elsewhere, and how to keep them in order.
How points-based skilled migration works
Canada, Australia and New Zealand rank skilled people against each other before inviting them to apply. Here is how those systems work, and what you can and cannot control.
Canada, Australia or the UK: how skilled professionals in Dubai can compare them
All three countries recruit skilled people, but they do it in different ways. This guide compares how their routes work, so you can see which suits your profile and plans.
Studying abroad from the UAE: a month-by-month timeline
Most student visa problems begin months before the visa application. This timeline sets out what to do, and when, in the 12 to 18 months before a course starts.
How dependant and spouse visas generally work
Many routes let a migrant bring a partner and children, but the evidence and the rights that follow differ widely. This guide explains the common mechanics for families in the UAE.
Visitor visa refusals: common reasons and how to prepare
Visitor visas are often refused for reasons that are stated in the decision and could have been addressed. This guide covers the common ones and how to prepare an honest application from the UAE.
Employer-sponsored work visas: who does what
A sponsored work visa has two sides. The employer qualifies and vouches for the job, and the employee qualifies for the visa. This guide explains who does what, and where UAE residents usually need to prepare.
Permanent residence or a long-term work visa: how the two differ
Both let you live and work abroad for years, but they rest on different foundations. This guide explains what changes when a temporary status becomes a permanent one, and how to weigh the choice as a family.
How to spot immigration and job-offer fraud
Fraud in immigration usually looks like help. This guide sets out the common warning signs, how to check an adviser or an employer, and what to do if something feels wrong.
Germany’s main routes for skilled workers from outside the EU
Germany has widened its routes for qualified people from outside the EU, but almost all of them turn on one question: how German authorities view your qualification. This guide explains the main options and how they fit together.
Working in Europe in hospitality and the trades: an honest guide
Several European countries recruit from outside the EU for hands-on roles. This guide explains how genuine recruitment works, what to check before you commit, and what the move can realistically lead to.
How we report visa updates
Immigration rules change often, and rumours travel faster than facts. This page explains how Ashford decides what to publish in Visa Updates, and how to judge the news you see elsewhere.
Your situation
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