The new UAE visa system introduces new and simplified procedures along with the announcement of new residency tracks and entry permits
The new UAE visa system sees changes in passport and visa services that are beneficial for people belonging to various categories including investors, visitors, and Emiratis. The advanced visa system that was announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) will come into effect from October 3, 2022. The scheme introduces new and simplified procedures along with the announcement of new residency tracks and entry permits.
The new UAE visa system that was approved by the UAE cabinet looks forward to improving the residential as well as immigration policies including an extended residency for professionals, a longer visa for tourists, and a longer and expanded 10-year visa scheme for golden visas.
The visit visas will now allow a stay of 60 days which is extended from the earlier time of 30 days. All the visas are available for single or multiple entries and can be renewed for multiple entries. The five-year multi-entry tourist visa allows the visitor to stay in the country for up to 90 days which can also be extended on the condition that the entry period of stay does not exceed more than 180 days in a year and the visa does not require a sponsor. The visa also requires proof of having a bank balance of US$4,000 or its equivalent amount in any other foreign currency during the six months before applying.
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation grants job exploration visas to first, second, or third skill levels and graduates from around 500 top universities around the world. Job exploration visas do not require a sponsor. Visitors can apply for entry if they have acquaintances or relatives who are UAE citizens without having a sponsor or host.
The new UAE visa system that includes updated and improved visa schemes is aimed at improving the life quality of its citizens as well as the people who work in UAE from various parts of the world. Director General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Major General Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi states that the new policies will aid in refining the experience of people who are living and working in UAE into a pleasanter and happier one.
The new UAE Visa system plays an important role in boosting the number of residents and restructuring the country’s emigration policies. The addition of new categories under the visa scheme helps in covering the various segments that include investors, scientists, humanitarian pioneers, students, and graduates.
The new UAE visa system brings several changes to the golden visa scheme that assist more people to receive the benefits of this 10-year visa. Investors can now receive the visa when they purchase a property of a minimum of Dh2 million even if the investors have taken loans from specific local banks. The golden visa holders can now sponsor kids without any age limit and there is also no number limit on the number of support staff this visa holder can sponsor.
Skilled professionals with a monthly salary of Dh 30,000 can get long-term residency from the early requirement of Dh 50,000. The skilled professional requirement disciplines include information technology, medicine, science, and engineering, business and administration, education, and law. The applicants as per the norms of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation must have a lawful employment contract in the UAE and be categorized under the first or second occupational level.
The golden visa holders can now stay outside UAE for over 6 months without their visa getting affected. The potential golden visa holders can receive six-month multiple entry visas that assist them with delivering the longer-term residency. The permit can be extended to complete the procedures for obtaining a golden residency according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP).
The new UAE visa system also sees considerable changes in family sponsorship rules from raising the age of sons who are sponsored to 25 from the previous age of 18 and a no age limit for unmarried daughters for all residence types. Children of determination are granted a residency permit regardless of their age. For green visa holders, the new scheme provides permanent residency for skilled employees without an employer or sponsor.
Freelancers and skilled employees with a valid employment contract who has a monthly salary of at least Dh 15,000 and investors are eligible to apply for the visa. The new UAE visa system also provides a grace period of 6 months to get another visa or leave the country from the earlier 30-day period.