Major Amendments in Visas and Residency Permits

Last year in April, the UAE cabinet announced many major amendments to the UAE visa system, where new entry visas will have much-simplified requirements and a lot of benefits for both visitors and residents. The new UAE visa rules come into effect last year on October 3. The changes were approved by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The biggest news for visitors entering the UAE is that tourist visas are now valid for 60 days, which is an expansion from 30 days. A multi-entry 5-year tourist visa was also announced, which allows visitors to stay up to 90 days in the UAE. Nevertheless, they can't exceed 180 days in a year.

Expansion of Golden visa

It also became easier for residents to obtain a golden visa, with simplified requirements and more categories of talented individuals able to apply. The expanded categories include public and real estate investors, as well as remarkable talents in disciplines like art and culture, digital technology, and sports. Professionals, scientists and frontline heroes are also eligible to apply. To obtain a 10-year Golden Visa, one needs to invest a minimum of AED 2M (USD 545K) in a completed property, which can also be mortgaged from select local banks. If a person owned a completed property worth AED 2M before the amendments became effective, they can now easily apply for a Golden Residence Visa. The most recent guidelines allow Golden Visa holders to sponsor not just their spouse and children, regardless of age, but also domestic workers indefinitely. Previously, boys could only be sponsored if they were 18 years old. In the event of the death of the original Golden Residence holder, family members are also permitted to remain in the UAE until the expiration of their permission length.

New five-year Green Visa

The Five tear Green Visa is a residency visa that permits its holder to sponsor themselves for five years without the requirement for company sponsorship, along with offering an array of benefits to the family members. Below are the three main categories of residents who can apply for a Green Visa :

• Freelancers or self-employed individuals
• Investors and /or partners in commercial business have to provide proof of their investment. If the applicant has more than 1 business license, the total investment capital will be counted.
• High-skilled workers

Residency permits

Several visas, including the one-year remote working visa, two-year real estate owner visa and five-year retirement visa too now require zero sponsorship and can also be renewed for the same period. Residents can also sponsor their sons who are unmarried until the age of 25, which was earlier than 18, and unmarried daughters regardless of their age.

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