Yes you can apply from Dubai if you get a valid resident visa. However, be aware that You'll have to reside in UAE and wait for 1 full year before you can be eligible to apply from Dubai as per CIC's rules. We applied from Dubai hoping for faster processing and honestly, I would not recommend it to ANY soul after our BAD experience so far bcz of two primary reasons:
1. Processing time:
Processing time for Pakistan is 24 months and for UAE it's 14 months. but as you'll have to wait for 1 year so add 12 months to the UAE's processing time of 14 months. so total processing time from Dubai will be 26 months ??? Also the 1 year time starts when you get stamped visa and time spent on visit visa do not apply. I am not even sure if UAE's time will apply on us as Pakistanis' applications are processed at London visa office and not at ABu Dhabi unfortunately.
2. Costs and struggle associated with application preparation:
Getting stuff done in Dubai is a costly uphill battle. I was asked to pay 2500-5000 Dirhams per document 4 getting documents notarized. Medical Fees, document translations, Police clearance certificate, making certified copies and fees 4 sending documents to Canada and London is two to three times higher compared to Pakistan. In general, people here are uncooperative, rude, unprofessional and finding legit resources is very difficult. If we knew all that we would hv never filed our application from here.
On top of that it is an added struggle for CIC as they will have to do background check from Pakistan and UAE. Staff in UAE embassy just don't want to do anything and give you hell of a run around 4 the simplest things. Getting Permanent residence photos was a nightmare. I got our UAE visa's done here under my husband's sponsorship and it was too stressful/tiring/lengthy.
I hope our bad experience and struggle stays as an exception and you get yours done smoothly. I have not come across any expat who is happy with UAE's procedures.
We come under UK time
