Whether you are Emirati, an expatriate, or visiting the United Arab Emirates, you can benefit from these new schemes and simplified procedures.
Among these new developments is the announcement of the third generation of the Emirati passport, recently announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). This new passport features unprecedented technical specifications and a highly complex security system, with the sole aim of reducing attempts to counterfeit or forge it.
These changes include all the new types of residence visas and new multiple-entry permits, while simplifying the options already in place.
Let us take a closer look at the changes introduced.
Visit visas
Visit visas are available for single or multiple entry. They can easily be renewed for a similar period. They now allow a stay of 60 days, compared with 30 days previously.
For people looking for employment, the job exploration visa has been introduced. It can be obtained without a sponsor or host. Only people classified as level one, two, or three according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, as well as recent graduates of the world's 500 best universities, are eligible to obtain this new type of visa.
Finally, a visitor who is a relative or friend of a UAE citizen or resident can now apply for an entry permit for Dubai and the Emirates. A sponsor or host is not required for this type of permit.
The multiple-entry visa
The multiple-entry tourist visa is valid for five years. It allows the holder to stay in the United Arab Emirates for up to 90 consecutive days, and these 90 days can be extended by an additional 90 days. Please note that the total duration must not exceed 180 days of presence in the Emirates over an entire year.
The requirement for obtaining this visa is simple: applicants only need to provide proof of a bank balance of at least USD 4,000 or its equivalent in a foreign currency, maintained over the past six months. No sponsor or host is required for this type of visa.
Sponsoring your family
Previously, it was only possible to sponsor male children until they turned 18. It is now possible to sponsor them until they turn 25. As for female children, parents can sponsor them without an age limit as long as they are unmarried. Children with disabilities can also be sponsored by their parents without an age limit.
Note that Green Visa holders can also sponsor their first-degree relatives (children and parents).
New developments in the Golden Visa program
Who is eligible for the Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa program has been expanded, allowing a wider range of people to benefit from it. As a reminder, this type of visa is valid for 10 years and is renewable. The eligible categories are as follows:
- Scientists: Scientists and researchers with significant influence in their field may be eligible for this type of visa, but they must first obtain a recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council. In addition, applicants must hold a doctorate or master's degree in engineering, technology, life sciences, or natural sciences, obtained from one of the world's leading universities, as well as having significant research achievements.
- Professionals: The visa has been extended to this category to attract highly skilled workers in all fields, namely: medicine, science and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture, and social sciences.
- Exceptional talents: In this category, talent is the only eligibility criterion, regardless of educational level, employment status, monthly salary, or professional level. To obtain the Golden Visa in this category, a recommendation from a federal or local government entity is absolutely required. The relevant fields include culture, art, sports, digital technology, inventors, and innovators in other vital fields.
- Outstanding students and graduates: This category is exclusively for the highest-performing students at UAE secondary schools and exceptional graduates of UAE universities. It also includes students from the world's 1,000 best universities.
- Humanitarian pioneers: This category includes members of international and regional organizations, public-interest associations, humanitarian award recipients, and volunteers.
- Frontline heroes: This refers to workers who devote all their efforts to serving the nation, including healthcare workers who gave their utmost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Entrepreneurs and start-up owners: The requirements for obtaining a visa are much more flexible for people in these categories.
Benefits of the Golden Visa
- Golden Visa holders can sponsor their children without an age limit. There is also no limit on the number of domestic workers.
- Finally, if a Golden Visa holder remains outside the Emirates for more than 6 months, their visa will not be canceled.
- If the Golden Visa holder dies, all dependent family members may remain in the Emirates until the visa expires.
Green Visa
The Green Visa program offers 5-year residency and applies to several categories of people, namely:
- Green Visa for self-employed workers or freelancers: Applicants must obtain a permit from MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). The second requirement concerns the annual turnover for the two years preceding the application, which must be at least AED 360,000.
- Green Visa for skilled employees: They must hold a valid employment contract and earn a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000.
- Green Visa for partners and investors: No sponsor is required to obtain the visa, and this type is more suitable for investors or partners in an agency or company.
Grace period after visa cancellation or expiration
In the past, after the cancellation or expiration of a residence visa, expatriates had 30 days to leave the Emirates or find a new job offering them a residence visa.
The new program provides much longer and more flexible periods of up to 6 months after the cancellation or expiration of a residence visa. Clarifications are expected on this point.
How can Merritt Middle East assist you?
If you are eligible for one of the categories above and wish to obtain your Green Visa or any other type of visa, our team of professionals can assist you and handle all the procedures on your behalf. Our firm has specialized in residence visas since 2009. We handle all types of visas: investor, employment, family, Golden Visa, etc.Do not hesitate to contact us by email at support@merritt.group or by phone at +971 4 422 1345.
