The UAE 5-Year Visa to Take Effect from September, 2022

The UAE makes visa and residence rules easier. The UAE is made up of seven sheikhdoms and immigrants consist more than 80% of the UAE population and have been the mainstay of the country’s economy for decades. In order to improve the quality of their residence in the country, the UAE Cabinet has approved one of the biggest fundamental changes in the residence and visa system in recent years. These laws have been changed with the aim of retaining and attracting global talents, increasing competitiveness and flexibility in the labor market, and strengthening the sense of stability among the country’s residents. The UAE Government Media Office announced the changes in a Twitter post, which was confirmed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Updated entry and residence regulations offer 10 types of entry visas in simple terms.

The new plan, in some cases, has abolished the requirement for individuals to introduce a sponsor for new arrivals. The Golden Visa system will also be expanded, while new entry visas will be available to facilitate the travel of jobseekers, especially graduates. New visas do not require a host or sponsor.

People who enter as visitors can stay in the country for up to 60 days instead of 30 days. These changes will take effect in September.

Here are some of the different types of visas that the UAE currently offers:

Golden Visas

Fundamental amendments to the Golden Visa Plan have been proposed to simplify eligibility criteria and expand the beneficiaries. Under the new rules, there will be no restriction on the maximum length of stay outside the UAE in order to maintain the validity of the golden visa.

These amendments allow the golden visa holder to sponsor his or her family members, including spouse and children, regardless of their age, and all their workers and service personnel. If the holder of the Golden Visa dies, his family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit.

This 10-year long-stay visa is awarded to exceptional talents, investors, outstanding students and graduates, entrepreneurs, humanitarian pioneers, scientists and professionals, and frontline heroes.

Golden Visa for Special Talents

This residence visa is granted only to the top talents in important fields such as sports, art, digital technology, culture, etc., regardless of their education, professional level, or monthly salary. This residency requires the recommendation of a local or federal government entity.

Golden Visa for Real Estate Investors

Real estate investors can get a Golden Visa if they buy a property worth at least 2 million dirhams ( about $544,500). Under the new amendments to the plan, investors can also receive Golden Visa if they purchase property with loans from specific local banks.

Outstanding Students and Graduates

The visa is issued to high-achieving high school students in the UAE, as well as top graduates from the UAE’s universities or the top 100 universities around the world. This visa includes certain criteria based on academic performance, university ranking, year of graduation, and so on.

Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs

Obtaining approval for a start-up idea from the Ministry of Economy, competent local authorities or an official business incubator is sufficient to obtain a Golden Residence Visa. Entrepreneurs must be partners or owners of a startup registered in the UAE in the category of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the company must have an annual income of at least 1 million dirhams.

Golden Visa for Scientists

This residency is awarded to scientists and researchers who have a doctorate or master’s degree in life sciences, natural sciences, engineering, technology, etc. from the best universities in the world. Applicants must also have significant research achievements. This visa is issued on the recommendation of the UAE Council of Scientists.

Golden Visa for Professionals

This category of residence visa has undergone extensive changes. Applicants must be classified at the first or second job level and have a valid employment contract in the UAE to be eligible. The minimum degree required to apply for a visa must be a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and their monthly salary must be more than 30,000 dirhams.

Emirates Green Visa

There are three types of UAE green visas. The first type is for skilled workers, the second type is for freelancers and self-employed individuals, and the third type is for investors in starting or participating in commercial businesses. This type of 5-year residence visa replaces the previous residence visa, which was valid for only two years.

UAE Green Visa for Skilled Workforce

Employees without a sponsor or employer can receive 5 years of residence if they have a valid employment contract. According to the rules of the UAE Ministry of Human Resources, eligible candidates must be classified in the third, second, or first job level.

UAE Green Visa For Self-Employed and Self-Employed People

These amendments allow a freelancer or self-employed person to obtain a 5-year residence permit without a sponsor or employer if they have a free / self-employment permit.

New Entry Visa

New types of visas are introduced for the first time without the need for a host or sponsor. In addition, all entry visas are available for one or more entry times and can be extended for the same period and are valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

Business Entry Visa

Entry without the need for a sponsor or host to encourage investors and entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities and invest in the UAE.

Tourist visa

 5-year multi-entry tourist visa has been introduced and it does not require a sponsor; they must only provide proof of having a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent.

New Benefits for Family Members

Parents can support their sons until the age of 25, i.e. after the age of 18, the law allows them to stay in the UAE after school and university. Parents can support their unmarried daughters indefinitely. Children with disabilities are allowed permanent residence regardless of their age. The Green Visa holder is allowed to bring any first-degree relatives into the country, and in all cases, the length of stay of the family members will be the same as the length of stay of the main visa holder.

This plan was first set up in September 2021. Ali Mohammad al-Shamsi, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security said the new executive regulations would provide comprehensive information on the types and conditions of entry visas and residence permits.

“The new laws support sustainable development and the policy of economic diversity in the country by attracting skilled workers, talent, specialists, and experts,” al-Shamsi said. “The new plan will facilitate procedures, add new benefits, end the link between residence and job support, and increase the quality of life,” he added.

The new system offers different types of visas to UAE visitors for different purposes. New types of visas are introduced for the first time without the need for a host or sponsor. Major improvements include facilitating entry requirements for all types of visas and providing a flexible visa duration that meets the needs of visitors and the purpose of the visit. In addition, all entry visas are available for one or more entry times and can be extended for the same period (s) and are valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

No Need to Stamp the UAE Visa on the Passport

In another development, from April 11, the UAE residents’ ID number will act as their residence document. This ID replaces the residence visa stickers stamped on passports. Residents will not need to go through two separate UAE visa and Emirates ID processes – new or extended. This process can be done in one request. In addition, applicants do not need to leave their passports in the immigration office for a visa stamp.

The Arab newspaper Al-Khaleej quoted a senior official of the Federal Office for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) as saying that the changes would reduce the procedures and time for obtaining residence documents by 30 to 40 percent.

After “extensive studies”, it was decided to reduce the number of steps required to issue a residence permit. The UAE ID – which has recently been substantially upgraded – contains all the residency information contained in the visa tag. The new generation of Emirates ID contains personal and professional data, the issuing entity, and other readable data via an e-link system.

The residence sticker will only be available through the authority application. In addition, individuals can receive their residency details printed with the official stamp in three steps. This can be done through the app or the website (www.icp.gov.ae).

The ICP has coordinated with all relevant departments in the aviation organization to ensure that they are up to date with the latest accommodation updates. Officials can verify the entry status of residents outside the UAE through passport readers.

For more information, please contact one of our advisors in the UAE, Denmark, or Canada, and we will do our utmost to answer your question regarding the residency, citizenship, and immigration processes.

Do not hesitate to comment below, if you have any questions or experience about investment in the UAE Green Visa.