Uae Approves New System of Entry Permits

UAE’s new system for entry permits and residence visas with plenty of benefits have come into effect from October 3, 2022. Several amendments have been introduced to the scheme. All entry visas will now be available for single or multiple entries to UAE and will be valid for 60 days from issue date.

The new Entry and Residence Scheme offers 10 types of entry visas with simplified requirements and more benefits. New visas require no host or sponsor, offer more flexibility, multi entry, 60 days validity and one unified platform to apply at.

New benefits for family members

Residents can now sponsor their family members including their spouses and male child until the age of 25, up from 18. In the case of unmarried daughters, parents will be able to sponsor their visas regardless of their age.

Green Residency holders will also now be able to sponsor first-degree relatives.

As for children of determination, they will be granted a resident permit, regardless of their age.

The duration of family members residence shall be the same as their sponsor’s residence duration.

Multiple Entry tourist visa

In addition to the regular tourist visa, a five-year, multi-entry tourist visa was introduced.
This type does not require a sponsor and it allows the person to stay in the country up to 90 days in a row. It may be extended for a similar period, provided that the entire period of stay does not exceed 180 days in one year.
This visa requires proof of having a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies during the last six months before submitting the application.

Expansion of Uae Golden Visa

Aiming at attracting and retaining talents, the UAE updates the Golden Residence rules as a part of the new Entry and Residence Scheme. The scope of beneficiaries is expanded offering more benefits including 10 years renewable residence.

Golden visa for sponsoring family and domestic workers

10-year residence is granted to investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and professionals, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes.

A Golden Residence holder can sponsor his/her family members including spouse and children regardless of their age, and to sponsor domestic workers without limiting their number. There is no restriction related to the maximum duration of stay outside the UAE in order to keep the Golden Residence valid.
There are other benefits for family members that allow them to stay in the UAE in the event of the death of the original holder of the Golden Residence until the end of their permit duration.

Golden Residence for Scientists

This residence is granted to scientists and researchers with high achievements and influence in their field based on recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council.

The candidate should have a Ph. D. or master degree in the disciplines of engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from the best universities in the world. The candidate should have substantial research achievements.

Golden Residence for Professionals

A major expansion is introduced in this category to attract highly skilled workers with educational qualifications and professional experience in all disciplines including medicine, sciences and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture and social sciences.

The applicants should have a valid employment contract in the UAE, and should be classified in the first or second occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization classification which is aligned with the International Standard of Classification of Occupations ISCO by the International Labor Organization.

The minimum educational level must be a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and the monthly salary should not be less than AED 30000.

Golden visa for ‘exceptional talents’

This is granted to top talents in vital fields. It is awarded based on talent only, regardless of the educational qualification or the employment status or the monthly salary or professional level.
It requires the recommendation or approval of a federal or local government entity, and includes talented individuals in culture, art, sports, digital technology, inventors and innovators and other vital fields.

Golden visa for real estate investors

Real estate investors can obtain Golden Residence when purchasing a property worth no less than Dh2 million ($540,000).
As per the new amendments, investors are also entitled to obtain the Golden Residence when purchasing a property with a loan from specific local banks. Investors can also obtain Golden Residence when buying one or more off-plan properties of no less than Dh2m from approved local real estate companies.

Golden visa for outstanding students and graduates

This residence targets high performing students in UAE secondary schools and outstanding graduates from UAE universities and the best 100 universities worldwide according to criteria that includes their academic performance, the year of graduation, and the university classification.

Golden Residence for Entrepreneurs

To be eligible for Golden Residence, an entrepreneur should own or be a partner in a start-up registered in the country in the category of small and medium enterprises (SME) that generates annual revenue of not less than Dh1m.
If the person is one of the founders of an earlier entrepreneurial project that was sold with a total value of not less than Dh7m, he or she will be entitled to Golden Residence. The approval of the Ministry of Economy or the competent local authorities is required for projects or ideas.

Green visa for investor or partner

This residence is introduced to encourage investment. It provides five-year residency for investors establishing or participating in commercial activities. It replaces the previous residence that was valid for two years.
Requirements including approval of the investment and proof of investment. If the investor has more than one licence, the total invested capital will be calculated.

Green visa for skilled employees and freelancers

A new track that provides a five-year residency for skilled employees, without sponsor or employer.
The minimum educational level must be a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and the salary should not be less than AED 15,000.