The new visa rules for the UAE have come into effect, which represents one of the biggest changes to the country’s immigration policy in years.
Among the main changes, approved by the UAE Cabinet, are longer visitor visas for tourists, long-term stays for skilled professionals and easy access to a 10-year golden visa.
People who have canceled their residency visas will get a six-month grace period to remain in the country, where previously people were only allowed one month.
The new visas include a standard 60-day entry permit, instead of the current 30 days, and a five-year, multiple-entry tourist visa that allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 90 days in a row.
green visas
The UAE will also offer five-year green visas, which target skilled workers and the self-employed, and a job search entry visa for certificate holders that do not require a sponsor or host.
Under the new rules, parents will be able to sponsor their male children up to the age of 25, following they were 18, allowing them to remain in the UAE following school and university.
The golden visa initiative will also be expanded, as skilled professionals with salaries of 30,000 dirhams ($8,100) or more will find it easier to obtain a 10-year visa.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security also revealed last month the new copy of the UAE passport.
Existing passport holders whose passports have expired can apply for a new passport through ICP’s website, smart app or the country’s embassies and consulates.
Major General Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi, Director General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at the authority, said last month that the new regulation includes an updated visa system that contributes to supporting the sustainable development process and the policy of economic diversification, by attracting skilled workers, scientific competencies, owners of expertise, creators and skilled specialists, which leads to raising the level of productivity and enhance the competitiveness of the economy.
