Now only Dhs4,000 salary required to sponsor family, Dhs8,000 for second degree relatives in UAE

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICACP) has issued a decision to add four new entry visa requirements and amend the timeframes, conditions, and controls for obtaining a number of visas. This step reinforces the UAE's commitment to openness to the world and to attracting talent, expertise, and entrepreneurs in the fields of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, entertainment, and tourism.

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the ICA, stated that the Authority's decision to amend the requirements and controls for several existing visas and to add new visit visa requirements is the result of future-oriented studies conducted by the Authority on current and future trends in residency and foreign affairs locally, regionally, and internationally. It also reflects the results of periodic evaluations of the existing service system, as well as feedback and suggestions received from customers through the Authority's Customer Councils, the Contact Center, the Inquiries and Complaints Platform, and the Government Services Observatory – Customer Pulse. This decision also reflects the Authority's vision and important role in supporting community security and promoting diversification and economic growth.

He pointed out that the amendments meet customer aspirations and take into account the humanitarian and economic conditions of many groups who wish to remain, work, and live in the UAE, explore business opportunities, and build a future there. He noted that these amendments contribute to improving the quality of life for the community, enhancing trade and transportation, supporting the technology sector, and enhancing the competitiveness and economic capacity of the UAE locally, regionally, and internationally.

New Purposes for Obtaining Visit Visas

The decision includes the addition of four new purposes for obtaining an entry visa, including issuing an entry visa for artificial intelligence specialists for single or multiple trips for a specific period of time, provided that a letter is submitted from the sponsoring or host entity (the technology-specialized facility), and an entertainment entry visa, which is granted to a foreigner arriving for a temporary period of time for the purpose of entertainment.

The third purpose of the visa is the visit visa (event visa), which is granted to foreigners for a temporary period to attend a festival, exhibition, conference, seminar, economic, cultural, sports, religious, community, educational, or similar activities. To be granted, the sponsor/host must be a public or private sector entity, provided that a letter from the host entity is submitted detailing the event and its duration.

The decision also stipulates that the Authority may grant a foreigner a multiple-entry visa for the purpose of tourism via cruise ships and pleasure boats for a temporary period, provided that it includes a tourist itinerary for entering the country and that the sponsor/host, in this case, is an establishment licensed for this type of activity.

Truck Driver Visa

The decision amends the terms and conditions of several existing visas. It stipulates that a visa for foreign truck drivers is granted for single or multiple trips, provided that the guarantor/host is a shipping company or has a commercial activity related to freight transport, that the financial guarantee and prescribed fees are met, and that the beneficiary has health insurance.

Visiting a Friend or Relative

The amendments included in the decision also modify the conditions for issuing an entry visa to visit a friend or relative. The amendments state that if a foreigner entering the country is a first-degree relative of a foreigner residing in the country, the monthly income of the guarantor/host must not be less than AED 4,000. If the foreigner entering the country is a second- or third-degree relative of a foreigner residing in the country, the monthly income of the guarantor/host must not be less than AED 8,000. If the foreigner entering the country is a friend of a foreigner residing in the country, the monthly income of the guarantor/host must not be less than AED 15,000.

Exploring Business Opportunities

Regarding the Business Opportunities Visa, the decision added a condition for obtaining the visa, stating that a foreigner wishing to explore business opportunities must have financial solvency according to the nature of the activity they wish to engage in, or that they must be practicing that activity through an establishment or company located outside the country, or that they are practicing it professionally.

New Controls for Humanitarian Cases

Regarding humanitarian cases, the decision limits the duration of the visa to one year only. The Authority's Chairman may issue a decision to continue granting the visa to foreigners whose countries are experiencing wars, disasters, or unrest without a guarantor or host, or to renew or suspend that residency permit based on reports submitted by the Authority's competent department, namely the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs. This type of residency permit is considered void if the beneficiary leaves the UAE.

Regarding the sponsorship of relatives or spouses by citizens or foreigners under humanitarian circumstances, the decision authorizes the Director General of Identity and Foreigners Affairs at the Authority to exempt certain cases from the financial solvency requirement, degree of kinship, or both, while adhering to the same technical and financial conditions and controls currently in effect.

Residence of a Foreign Widow or Divorcee

The humanitarian cases clause in the new decision includes additional conditions for a foreign widow or divorcee to reside in the country without a guarantor. The decision authorizes the granting of residency to the wife in the event of death or divorce if the husband is a citizen. A residency permit for a foreign widow or divorcee who has no children shall be issued within six months of the date of death or divorce.

In the case of a foreigner, the decision allows the issuance of a residence permit to a foreign widow or divorcee with custody of her children within six months from the date of death or divorce, provided that the widow or divorcee is within the country, the guarantor is the husband at the time of death or divorce, and the widow or divorcee with custody may grant her children residency, provided that she is the guarantor. In the event of a custody dispute, the decision will be made by the competent committee. In all cases, the conditions of financial solvency and adequate housing must be met. The permit may be extended for a similar period based on serious grounds.

The decision, in Annex (A), specifies a schedule of extension periods and authorizations for entry visas and the permitted length of stay upon issuance of the visa. The decision includes six types of periods and authorizations, with the aim of governing procedures, enhancing corporate identity, transparency, and integrity, and enabling all categories of clients to achieve the goals for which they sought to obtain a visa, taking into account the type of visa and its importance to both the client and the country.