The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE will start implementing an updated visa system that represents a qualitative leap in the entry and residence of foreigners in the region and the world, based on the conditions and controls that make the country an oasis of living, work, innovation and investment from Monday, October 3, 2022.

With this step, the UAE continues to enhance its attractiveness by modernizing and expanding its residency and entry visa options in line with enhancing its global competitiveness in attracting investors, entrepreneurs, and scientific competencies, and enhancing its position as a leading tourist destination in the region and the world.

The updated visa system is characterised by the multiplicity of types of residency and the addition of new ones to suit all categories of investors, entrepreneurs, talented scientists and specialists, first students and graduates, pioneers of humanitarian work, the first line of defense, skilled workers in all fields, easing burdens, facilitating procedures and adding new benefits for residency holders. And the separation between residence and the employer, which contributes to improving the quality of life and making the experience of living, working and investing in the UAE an enjoyable and happy one.

Green residence

The system includes new types of residency with great advantages and facilities, most notably the “green residency” which is granted for a period of 5 years, subject to renewal, and provides greater benefits for the recruitment of family members residing in the country, and flexible grace periods of up to 6 months after the expiry or cancellation of residency.

It includes 3 types of categories or residencies, namely the skilled worker, self-employment, and the investor or partner in a business activity without a guarantor for a period of 5 years, subject to renewal, to replace the investor’s previous residency of two years.

The system has easier requirements and greater benefits, and allows holders of green residency to bring in relatives from first degree.

Exploring Opportunities

Within the framework of the updated system, a visa to explore job opportunities and another to explore investment and business opportunities was introduced to attract investors without a guarantor or host inside the country, according to the conditions set forth in the new executive regulations.

Golden Residency updates

The updated system included new advantages for the golden residency, the most important of which is the abolition of the requirement not to be absent from the state to maintain the golden residency, the abolition of the maximum number of domestic/ service workers that can be brought in, and benefits for family members that allow them to remain in the state for the duration of their residency, in the event of the death of the breadwinner who has obtained the golden residency.

The diversification of the golden residency categories to include scholars, specialists, and talented geniuses, in accordance with the regulations established in this regard.

A real estate investor can obtain a golden residency when buying a property with a loan from an approved local bank, or when purchasing one or more properties with a value of no less than two million dirhams from approved local companies.

It also included flexible procedures for granting residency to entrepreneurs, top students and graduates to give a better opportunity for residence and work.

Recruitment of families

The updated visa system provides new advantages for the residence of family members, including allowing the foreigner residing in the country to easily bring in his family members, such as the wife and children, and raising the age of the children to be granted residency to 25 years after it was only 18 years, and granting a residence permit to unmarried girls, and children from people of determination, regardless of age.

Flexible visit

The updated system of entry visas provides new and multiple purposes and options for those wishing to visit the country, with flexible and extendable visit periods of up to one year, and without the requirement of a guarantor or host in the country with the aim of facilitating procedures and requirements, which gives the opportunity for visitors and job seekers to achieve their ambitions in the UAE and enjoy a safe and stable life.

The updated visa system contributes to supporting the process of sustainable development and the policy of economic diversification, by attracting skilled workers, scientific competencies, people with expertise, creative people and skilled specialists, which leads to raising the level of productivity and enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.