Know more about the new UAE visa rules since September 2022
A few months ago, the United Arab Emirates authorities (Dubai is then included) rolled out key changes to its visa system announcing a new scheme related to the new UAE visa rules and regulations for foreigners. In case you wish to live and work in the United Arab Emirates such as Dubai, you should be aware of these rules and regulations.
What you should know about the new UAE visa rules
As per the recent changes made by the UAE Cabinet, the new UAE visa rules will come into effect in September 2022. These rules were authorized by the leader of the Cabinet, Vice-President, and Prime Minister of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Aimed at enhancing UAE (Dubai included)’s position as an outstanding destination to live, work, and invest in, the UAE cabinet has adopted the executive regulations of the Federal Decree-Law on Entry and Residence of Foreigners.
The United Arab Emirates have now inducted around ten types of new entry visas, and residence permits, and have widened the -Dubai- Golden Visa categories.
The new scheme of entry and residence has been initiated to attract and retain worldwide talents and skilled workers from all over the globe, increase the competitiveness and flexibility of the job market and promote a high sense of stability among UAE residents and families.
The new model, in some cases, ends the need for arrivals to procure sponsorship, and individuals who enter as visitors will be able to stay for 60 days, instead of the 30 days at present. These changes will come into effect by September this year.
Parents can also support their male children until the age of 25, up from 18, enabling them to remain in the UAE after school and university.
The types of UAE visas the new rules and regulations will affect
The new UAE visa rules will induct a variety of new UAE visa categories to bring in talents from all over.
Some of the UAE visas that will be affected or introduced by the new rules are the Green Visas, Visit Visas, and Golden Visas.
In reference to the UAE Golden Visa, there will be new types that foreigners can easily obtain if they are qualified. However, it is important to be aware of those rules before commencing the visa application process in the UAE. Thus, if you wish to get any of these types of visas, make sure to read the subsequent information.
The new visa rules related to the UAE Green Visa and its categories
The UAE’s Green visa will enable its holder to sponsor himself/herself for 5 years eliminating the need for a UAE national or employer to sponsor his/her visa.
This new Visa scheme aims to draw in talents, skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. The action is being taken to draw in talent and enhance growth.
Its Benefits are:
- A Green Visa holder can effortlessly bring family members to the UAE.
- The visa holder has the capacity to sponsor their male children for up to 25 years, with no age limit for unmarried daughters.
- Determined children are granted a residence permit, irrespective of their age
- The period of a family member’s residence shall be the same as their sponsor’s residence duration
Who can apply?
- Freelancers/self-employed individuals: Owners of independent businesses or self-employed individuals can apply for a freelancer’s visa.
- Skilled employees: The Green Visa for freelancing and self-employment provides a 5 years residency for freelancers and self-employed individuals without needing a sponsor or employer in the UAE.
- Investors or partners: The Green visa for investors enables them to establish or partake in commercial activities. It replaces the prior residence visa that was valid for 2 years only.
- The 2-year green visa for students: Education residence for students enrolled in education systems. It’s a two-year residency visa, and a sponsor by a licensed educational institution is needed.
The new UAE visa rules impacts on the UAE Visit Visa for foreigners
The new UAE visa rules will contain a set of new options for visitors, so they can have adaptable and multi-entry visit visas. These visas can be valid for up to a year and do not need sponsorship. Likewise, visit visas will be able to offer 60 days of legitimacy, as well as one platform to apply.
Among the kinds of visit visas that will be available, you can find the job exploration visa, which aims to draw in skilled professionals and young talents, so they can explore job opportunities in the UAE. One of the advantages of this visa is that it doesn’t require a host or sponsor.
You will similarly be able to find a type of exploration visa for investors. It will assist them in exploring investment opportunities within the country. Exactly like the previous visa, this one doesn’t require a sponsor or host.
The UAE Golden Visa and its new rules and categories
The new UAE visa rules will also introduce an assortment of UAE Golden Visas as part of the new residence scheme. Plus, the new scheme simplifies the eligibility criteria by initiating significant amendments to broaden the categories of beneficiaries.
In the UAE, a Golden Visa permits holders to stay in the country for a decade. This residency permit is given to entrepreneurs, investors, specialists, scientists, exceptional talents, outstanding students, graduates, and many more.
With respect to the new rules, they state that there will be no limitations related to the maximum duration of stay outside the country. In conclusion, it will not affect the validity of your Golden Visa. Additionally, Golden Visa holders can sponsor spouses, children, and support services laborers.
And if the holder of a Golden Visa passes away, his/her family members will still be able to remain in the UAE until the permit expires.
The Golden visa categories
Significant amendments have been introduced to the Golden Residence Scheme to simplify the eligibility criteria and widen the categories of beneficiaries. This long-term 10-year residency is given to investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and professionals, outstanding students, and graduates.
Golden residency for scientists
The new policies aim to support and increase investment in the property sector by having new advantages in the Golden Residence for investors in this vital sector.
Individuals are entitled to obtain the Golden Residence when purchasing a property worth at least Dh2 million with a loan from certain local banks. Investors can also get Golden Residence when purchasing one or more off-plan properties of at least Dh2 million from approved local real estate companies.
Residency is awarded to scientists and researchers with high achievements and significance in their field based on recommendations from the Emirates Scientists Council.
The candidate must have a Ph.D. or master’s degree in the areas of engineering, technology, life sciences, and natural sciences from the best universities in the world. The candidate should also have significant research achievements.
Golden residency for professionals
An important expansion has been inducted in this category to entice highly skilled workers with educational credentials and professional experience in all areas including medicine, sciences and engineering, information technology, business and administration, law, culture, and social sciences.
The applicants should have a credible employment contract in the UAE and should be categorized in the first or second occupational level according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation classification which is aligned with the International Standard of Classification of Occupations ISCO by the International Labour Organisation.
The least educational level must be a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and the monthly salary should be at least Dh30,000.
Golden residency for exceptional talents
This residence is awarded to top talents in essential fields. It is granted based on talent only, irrespective of the educational qualification or employment status or monthly salary or professional level.
It needs the recommendation or consent of a federal or local government entity and includes talented people in culture, art, sports, digital technology, invention and innovation, and other significant fields.
Golden residency for entrepreneurs
The executive laws set adaptable requirements for entrepreneurs qualified to obtain the Golden Residence, an entrepreneur must own or be a partner in a startup registered in the country in the category of small and medium enterprises (SME) and generates annual revenues of at least Dh1 million.
Additionally, acquiring approval for a startup idea from the Ministry of Economy or the competent local authorities is enough to obtain the Golden Residence in this category.
Also, if the person is a founder of a previous entrepreneurial project that was sold with a total value of at least Dh7 million, he will be entitled to Golden Residence.
Golden visas for outstanding students and graduates
This residency marks high-performing students in UAE secondary schools, and distinguished graduates from UAE universities and the best 100 universities globally according to certain criteria that includes their academic achievement, the year of graduation, and the university category.
For more information pertaining to the new UAE Visas/Dubai Visas, let’s go ahead together and contact your Damalion expert now to help you create your company in Dubai and open a bank account too.
