Wondering what’s going on with UAE residence and tourist visas? You’re not alone. The UAE government announced a new UAE Entry and Residence Scheme in April. In this major shake-up to visa rules in the UAE come multiple new options for UAE residences, coming into effect from October 3, and tourist visas which have already been rolled out.
For residents, a new five-year Green residence visa is now available, and there’s also been a broadening of the criteria for those eligible for the coveted ten-year Golden visa.
There are also lots of updates for visitors to Dubai when it comes to the availability and duration of visas on arrival.
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So what does this all mean for you? Keep reading for everything you need to know about the new UAE residence and tourist visas.
NEW UAE RESIDENCE VISA RULES
What is the Green Residence visa?
Created to attract skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and freelancers, the five-year Green Residence visas is an interesting new option for those not able to apply for residency via the traditional employer or sponsor route.
Eligibility will depend on salary and qualification, but this is likely to be an appealing visa category for established freelance workers and small business owners.
Those with Green Residency will be able to extend the benefits to family members for five years and retain their resident status for six-months after the visa is cancelled or expired.
We are yet to receive information on where exactly to apply for the Green Residence, but the below criteria will apply:
Green Residence criteria for freelancers and those self-employed
You will need to apply for a freelance/ self-employment permits from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), be degree educated, and have an annual income of Dhs360,000.
Green Residence criteria for skilled employees
If you wish to apply for your own five-year visa, instead of using the one from your employer, you will need to show a valid employment contract with a minimum salary of Dhs15,000 (per month). Your employment visa should be deemed a first, second or third occupational level as per the MOHRE. You will also need a degree or equivalent.
Green Residence criteria for investors
In order to get a five-year investor or partner visa you will need to show both government approval and proof of the investment. And if you have multiple licences, they will take the total sum of your invested money into consideration.
How has the UAE golden visa process changed?
The UAE’S ten-year renewable residence visa, which is awarded (through an application process) to “highly skilled or talented” long-term residents, has been amended to include more skills, roles and other means of qualification. If you own a property or a business, or if you work in education or law, you could be eligible.
Application criteria is now broader and, for the first time, open to students.
Who can apply for the Golden Residence Scheme now?
- Highly skilled professionals including those working in education and law. You’ll need a degree and a monthly income of Dhs30,000 or more.
- Entrepreneurs who own a business in the UAE that earns annual revenue of Dhs1mn or more.
- Individuals who own a property in the UAE worth more than Dhs2million.
- High performing students in UAE secondary schools and graduates with high academic performance at UAE universities or one of the best 100 universities worldwide. These students can then even sponsor their families.
Golden visa holders can sponsor family members for 10 years along with multiple domestic workers — there’s no cap on how many. And should the Golden Residence holder pass away, their family members will be able to stay in the country for the duration of the permit.
Think you might qualify? Find out more here
Again costs have not been specified, but the application, process and visa update process for a family of four is in the region of Dhs12,000.
What are ‘humanitarian crisis’ visas?
The UAE government has committed to offering residence visas to people experiencing a ‘humanitarian crisis’. According to the Tweets released by the UAE Media Office, the visas will be given to widowed mothers, parents or children of UAE citizens, along with spouses of GCC citizens.
What benefits do family members and dependents get with the new visa rules?
Up until now, parents under all visa types were able to sponsor their children only up until the age of 18. Once the new rules are established, likely to be September, parents can now sponsor the children up to the age of 25.
Parents can sponsor unmarried female children until they are of any age, and children of determination will receive a residency permit no matter what age.
Those with Green Residence visas can issue residency permits for their family (first-degree relatives) which will last the same amount of time as theirs.
NEW UAE TOURIST VISA RULES
What are the new entry visa types for tourists?
The new types of visa-on-entry are listed below and essentially seem to be aimed at encouraging people to come to Dubai specifically to job hunt, have job interviews and explore business opportunities.
All part of the UAE’s goals to grow both the number of visitors to the emirates and increase the expatriate population living and working in the UAE.
Entry visas will now be valid for two months and be available across three categories:
- 60-day entry visa for all visitors
- 60-day visa for those looking to explore job opportunities in the UAE
- 60-day visa for exploring business opportunities
What do the UAE visa changes mean for tourists?
From September, new arrivals into the UAE will be given a 60-day visit visa (instead of the former 30-day visit visa).
The new rules mean that all types of visit and tourist visas can be extended twice.
Visitors and tourists can apply for the second renewal before the expiry of the first one. The price for renewal will be Dhs600.
Visa overstayers who do not renew, as per the new rules, will have to pay Dhs100 fine for each day of their overstay, to be calculated from 10 days after the visa expiry.
What are the benefits for frequent visitors to the UAE?
Tourists who frequently visit Dubai can apply for a five-year multi-entry tourist visa, which grants them 90 days in the country without a sponsor. These tourists will be able to stay in UAE for up to 180 days per year.
In order to apply for this visa you will have to do via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website and mobile application.
The documents required to apply are:
- Bank statement for the last six months to prove that you have a balance of USD 4,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies
- Proof of UAE health insurance
- Photocopies of the front and last page of your passport
- Recent coloured passport-sized photographs which you must take against a white background
Some visitors may also need to provide additional documents during their UAE five-year multiple entry visa application, including:
- A copy of the flight ticket
- Proof of residence, such as an invitation letter from friends and family in the UAE
- Hotel bookings or lease agreement
Stay with Time Out Dubai for more updates.
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