The UAE welcomes the globe with new visa requirements in 2023 to attract talent and investment. These major visa system improvements make it simpler for visitors, professionals, and investors to enter and live in the UAE, reflecting its goal of becoming a worldwide centre
In 2023, the UAE overhauled its visa system. The UAE has made modifications to create new visa kinds, expand current categories, and extend visa terms to boost its attractiveness as a worldwide business and tourist centre.
Ten entrance permits without hosts or sponsors are a major change. These visas allow single or multiple entries and have adjustable periods.They're valid for 60 days after issuance and renewed.This streamlines the UAE exploration process for tourists and expatriates.
Youthful Professionals
The employment exploration visa transforms young professionals and new graduates from top 500 colleges.If you're in the first three competence levels and have a bachelor's degree, you may work in the UAE without a sponsor or host.
The business entrance visa allows entrepreneurs and investors to explore business and investment opportunities without a sponsor. The UAE wants foreign investment to boost its economy, hence this visa is offered.
The UAE has reinstated the 3-month or 90-day visit visa, which may be renewed for a fee. This visa is different from the 30- or 60-day tourist and 90-day visit visas.A new five-year multi-entry tourist visa allows self-sponsored stays for 90 days each entry, with a 90-day extension.This visa requires verification of a USD 4,000 bank balance over six months.
Parents, friends, relatives
New guidelines make family sponsorship more inclusive. Male youngsters under 25 and crippled children forever may be sponsored. Unmarried daughters may be sponsored at any age.
The UAE allows citizens visiting friends and family or on temporary work assignments to apply for entrance visas without a sponsor or host, if their business supports them. With sponsorship from licenced educational institutions or government/private enterprises, course or internship participants may get study and training licences.
Humanitarian situations are addressed by granting residency permits to widowed female residents with children, parents or children of UAE nationals with foreign passports, and spouses and children of GCC citizens with foreign passports.
A reentry permit allows residence visa holders who have been outside the UAE for more than six months to return within 30 days after approval and preserve their residency status.
Visa extensions
The UAE now allows all tourist visas to be extended for 30 days from inside the country and a one-time 30-day extension for 90-day visit visas. Extension costs USD 163.
Individuals may now renew or revoke entrance permits online.Green residence and normal visas are good for two months. In contrast, Golden visas enable repeated entry for six months.Green and Golden visa holders and their families may keep their residence permits even after 180 days abroad.
After a 10-day grace period for visiting visa holders, overstayers must get an out-pass or exit permission and pay USD 14 per day in penalties. Visa costs for UAE and Dubai have risen. Visitors with unused visas must cancel them within a certain timeframe or pay up to USD 82.
Validity of visa
The Golden Visa programme now offers a 10-year validity for all categories and has been streamlined. Today, it contains scientists, researchers, competent workers, and unique talent. Real estate investors, startup investors, excellent students, humanitarian pioneers, physicians, nurses, and creative professionals over 25 may sponsor their parents for a 10-year Golden Visa.
The Green Residence visa gives qualified professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs a 5-year residence option and a 6-month grace period following permit revocation or expiry.This visa promotes UAE investment for persons without sponsors or employers.
To promote digitalization, the UAE replaced residence visa stamps on passports with the Emirates ID. Online visa information revisions are available, and residence visas for children of Emirati women and foreign nationals are now valid for five years. The Federal National Council also extended work licences from two to three years, reducing resident costs.
The New Visa Rules In UAE For 2024
According to the UAE Ministry of Education, recent graduates from the top 100 colleges globally may now get the Golden Visa. Applicants must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and have graduated within two years.This addition seeks to recruit youthful workers.
The Golden Visa application procedure is been simplified, with four 24/7 channels: UAEICP website, smart app, Customer Happiness Centres, and approved typing offices. A passport with six months' validity and a coloured picture are required. Visa issuance costs USD 95, including application, issuance, smart services, ICP, and electronic services.
Applicants may seek a 60-day extension if the visa is not used within the specified timeframe.
Golden Visa holders may sponsor relatives and domestic workers and get discounts on services. In Abu Dhabi, collaborations with Imkan Properties and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank provide lower mortgage and savings account rates.
Drivers from certain countries may change their foreign licence in Dubai without instruction. Outstanding expatriate students and their families might get the 10-year residence Golden Visa, which includes higher education discounts and the Esaad card with many perks.
The Golden Visa now accepts more experts and skills.Entrepreneurs with innovative initiatives, talented professionals generating high monthly incomes, and students with outstanding academic records are evaluated.
The Golden Visa is also available to humanitarians and crisis heroes.
The UAE offers health insurance packages for Golden Visa holders via the National Health Insurance Company (Daman), with rates based on age and plan selection. The Golden Visa application may be completed online either the ICP website or the GDRFA-Dubai app.
Recent UAE 5-Year Green Visa Changes
The Green Visa allows qualified people, investors, entrepreneurs, and top students to remain in the UAE without being tied to a job via self-sponsorship. The GDRFA in Dubai may provide preliminary clearance to eligible candidates, allowing them to enter the UAE to complete residence.
Managing entrance permits online using a personal account has improved the ICP user experience.The Green Visa currently allows five-year stay, longer than investor or partner visas.
This visa category is open to skilled workers, freelancers, and self-employed professionals without a UAE sponsor. Skilled workers must have a valid employment contract, satisfy Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation standards, and have a bachelor's degree and a minimum wage of USD 4,100. Freelancers and self-employed people must get a permit from the same ministry and show proof of a bachelor's degree or specialised diploma, at least USD 98,000 in self-employment income over the past two years, and financial solvency for their stay in the UAE. Investors or partners must get clearance and invest at least USD 272,280, with the option to combine funds from various licences, subject to local government approval.
With the Green Visa, residents may easily sponsor their wives and children, enhancing their advantages. Visa cancellation grace period is now six months. Sponsored children may now be 25 years old, and unmarried daughters and children of determination can stay with the main visa holder for the same time.
The Green Visa costs AED 2,280, excluding ID card and medical expenses.Number of dependents sponsored may affect them.