The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has announced that the new Advanced Visa System will come into effect on the 3rd of October, 2022. The Advanced Visa System is a significant restructuring of the country’s current immigration policy and aims to boost the number of residents from 3.5 million to 5.8 million by 2040. The updated visa system is designed to attract skilled professionals, bright students, wealthy investors, entrepreneurs, and company owners to make the country their long-term home.
UAE’s Golden Visa Eligibility Expanded
As part of the new Entry and Residence Scheme, Golden Visa rules have been amended to attract and retain highly skilled professionals. Beneficiaries include Outstanding Students and Graduates, Scientists, Professionals, Investors, Entrepreneurs, Exceptional Talents, Humanitarian Pioneers, and Frontline Heroes. The benefits to applicants under the new system include 10 years renewable residence visa, no employer or sponsor required, and residence for family members and children with no age limit. There is also no limit to the maximum number of support staff under this visa. The duration of your stay outside the UAE does not rescind the Golden Visa. In addition to these changes, family members of the original Golden Visa holder can stay on in the UAE till the end of their Golden Residence permit.
New Entry Visas To Be Implemented In 2022
This is good news for tourists and others who want to visit, work, live, or enter the UAE for other reasons. On October 3rd, 2022, 10 new types of entry visas and residence permits are to be implemented. The UAE government intends to boost competitiveness and flexibility in the job market with these changes while ensuring that new residents and their families feel welcomed and enjoy a sense of stability. These visas no longer require a host or sponsor, and they offer flexible visa durations to fulfill the purpose of the visit. These visas are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, can be renewed for similar periods, and allow single or multiple entries.
New Visit Visa Rules
Under the updated guidelines, holders of Visit Visas will now be allowed to reside in the UAE for up to 60 days, compared to the 30 days allowed earlier.
New Tourist Visa Rules
A new five-year multi-entry tourist visa is being introduced, which will allow tourists to explore more of the UAE in depth. This new tourist visa does not require a sponsor, which makes it different from the regular tourist visa sponsored by tourism establishments in the UAE. The applicant will have to furnish proof that they have maintained a balance of $4,000 (or equivalent amount in other currency) during the 6 months prior to the visa application. Once approved, the visa holder may reside in the UAE for 90 consecutive days but must not exceed 180 consecutive days in a year.
Visit Friends And Family In the UAE
As long as you have a relative or friend who is a citizen or resident of the UAE, you can apply for an Entry Permit under the new guidelines. Visas granted under this scheme do not require you to have a sponsor or host.
New Entry Visa For Job Exploration
To make it easier for graduates and professionals to find a job in the UAE, the government has allowed job applicants with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent to apply for a Job Exploration visa without a sponsor or a host. Fresh graduates from the top 100 universities worldwide and candidates classified in the first, second or third skill level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation may also apply under this scheme.
Visas For Investors and Entrepreneurs
The amended Business Entry visa allows foreign investors and entrepreneurs to explore business and investment opportunities in the UAE without a sponsor or a host.
Study Courses And Training Visas
This new visa is intended for foreigners planning to attend training sessions, study courses, or participate in internship programmes. A letter from the educational entity providing details of the programme and its duration is a must. The sponsor in this case would be the licenced university or research institute.
Updates To UAE’s Green Visa Program
The Green Visa was introduced to simplify the requirements of all residence types for skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. The amendments to this program include new 5-year residence tracks and longer and flexible grace periods that extend up to 6 months to stay in the country after the residence permit expires.
Skilled Employees
The new amendments provide a 5 years residency period for skilled employees without the need for a sponsor or employer. Skilled employees applying for this visa should have a valid employment contract where the minimum monthly salary should be AED 15,000 or more. They should have a bachelor’s degree and be classified in the first, second, or third occupational level per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Freelancers and Self-employed
The pandemic transformed the world where some people with in-demand skills have successfully transitioned to being self-employed or performing freelance jobs. The government now offers a new Green Residence visa for freelancers and self-employed people, which provides a 5 years residency without a sponsor or a host. Applicants must obtain a freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation while also proving that they have an annual income of at least AED 360,000 for the previous two years. The applicant must also have a bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma.
Partner Or Investor
This 5-year Green Residence visa was introduced to boost foreign investment in establishing or participating in commercial activities in the country. The investor will have to provide proof of investment in a project approved by local authorities. In the event that the investor is part of multiple projects, the sum of the total capital invested will be taken into account for the visa.
Real Estate Investors – Golden Visa
The government of the UAE has made the Golden Visa program for foreigners looking to invest in real estate much more attractive. Investors now only need to invest AED 2 million when buying a property instead of the AED 5 million that was required earlier. The duration of the visa has been increased to 10 years from the 5 years granted earlier. Another important amendment is that the investor no longer needs to visit the country every 6 months. In the event of the Golden Visa holder’s death, family members can continue staying in the UAE until the end of their golden visa duration. Real estate investors who avail of loans to buy property from specific local banks are also entitled to the Golden Residence Visa under the new guidelines. This visa can also be granted to an investor who buys one or more off-plan properties from approved local real estate companies; as long as the total combined value is more than AED 2 million.
New Green Residence Visa Benefits For Family Members
Benefits for first-degree relatives of Green Residence visa holders have also been greatly improved. The parents, spouse, and children can now be sponsored by the resident for 5 years, and the grace period after the residence visa has expired or is cancelled has been increased to 6 months from 1 month, which is ample time to sort out their visa status or leave the country. The age limit for children to be sponsored has been increased from 18 to 25, and the age limit has been removed for unmarried daughters and children of determination.
Make The UAE Your Home
With all these changes, the UAE is taking numerous initiatives to grow its population and promote tourism in the region. By reducing the time taken and the hassle of applying for or extending visas, the government aims to provide a stable environment for expats to work and prosper.
How can TWS Legal Consultants help?
We can assist you with the application and guide you through the process until issuance of your visa. To book a consultation contact us on the details below:
Email: info@twslegal.ae
or call +971 4 448 4284
Website: www.twslegal.ae