UAE’s visa rules changed: How they benefit tourists, job seekers
Tourist visas will now allow visitors to legally enter and stay in the UAE for 60 days, an increase from the previous 30 days. Also, the job exploration visa, which seeks to easily allow talented professionals find employment in the UAE, will not require a sponsor or host.
The United Arab Emirates’s (UAE)’s Advanced Visa System, first announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) last month, will come into effect on Monday (October 3).
Approved by UAE’s Cabinet in April, the new visa rules — aimed at reforming the country’s immigration and residency policies — include changes such as longer visas for tourists, extended residency for professionals under the Green Visa and an expanded 10-year Golden Visa scheme.
Besides alleviating burdens for foreigners and simplifying visa procedures, the updated visa system is an attempt at “improving the quality of life and making the experience of living, working and investing in the UAE a pleasant and happy one”, said Major General Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi, the Director General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, as reported by Gulf News.
Green Visa
Announced in September 2021, the Green Visa is a type of renewable-residence visa that allows foreigners to sponsor themselves for five years, without having to rely on a UAE national or employer to sponsor their visa. Freelancers or self-employed people, skilled workers and investors or partners are eligible for the visa.
Green visa holders are also given more benefits, such as the ability to sponsor family members, including a spouse, children and first-degree relative for the duration of their residency. Parents will be able to sponsor male children till the age of 25, an increase from the previous age limit of 18, while unmarried daughters and children of determination (with disabilities) will be granted residence regardless of age, the UAE government had said in June.
Holders will also receive an extended flexible grace period of up to six months if their residence permit is cancelled or has expired.
Changes for tourists and others
Tourist visas will now allow visitors to legally enter and stay in the UAE for 60 days, an increase from the previous 30 days.
A five-year, flexible multi-entry tourist visa was also introduced that allows them to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days in a row.
Furthermore, the job exploration visa, which seeks to easily allow talented professionals find employment in the UAE, will not require a sponsor or host. Those that fall under the first, second or third skill level classification of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and new graduates from the top 500 universities of the world will be eligible for the job exploration visa.
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