Visa changes in UAE

New rules governing the ways people work and live in the UAE came into effect on Monday October 3.

Approved by the Cabinet in April, this is one of the biggest shake-ups to the country’s immigration policy in years.

Green visa

The #greenvisa residency has three types.

• The first is for skilled workers,
• the second is for freelancers and
• third is for self-employed individuals.

These grant the holder five years’ residency. To be eligible, an applicant requires a monthly salary of Dh15,000 and a bachelor's degree in certain skilled fields, including science, law, education, culture or social sciences, among others.

These visa holders will be self-dependent and be able to sponsor parents and children up to the age of 25.

Visit visa

The new model offers new options for visitors to have different, flexible and multi-entry of visit visas for up to one year and ends the need for arrivals to acquire sponsorship.

The #visitvisa offers 60 days of validity and one platform to apply at.

The #jobexplorationvisa and #fiveyearmultientryvisa has been introduced with the aim of attracting young talents, skilled professionals and business entrepreneurs to explore job opportunities. It does not require a sponsor or a host.

Who is eligible for a #GoldenVisa?

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

When purchasing a property worth no less than Dh2 million 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 Dh2 million from approved local real estate companies.

The candidate should have a Ph.D. or master’s 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.

#Goldenresidency for professionals

A major expansion has been 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 Labour Organisation.

The minimum educational level must be a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and the monthly salary should not be less than Dh30,000.

Golden residency for exceptional talents

This residence 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, invention and innovation and other vital fields.

Golden residency for entrepreneurs

an entrepreneur should own or be a partner in a startup registered in the country in the category of small and medium enterprises SME and generates annual revenues of not less than Dh1 million.

Moreover, if the person is a founder (or one of the founders) of a previous entrepreneurial project (projects) that was sold with a total value of not less than Dh7 million, he will be entitled to Golden Residence. The approval of the Ministry of Economy or the competent local authorities is required for projects or ideas.

Golden visa for outstanding students and graduates

Students in UAE secondary schools, and outstanding graduates from UAE universities and the best 100 universities worldwide are eligible.