UAE's new visa rules to come into effect in September

The UAE authorities have approved a new law on entry and stay of foreigners with the aim of strengthening the UAE's position as an ideal place to live and work.

Under the new visa law, there will be a new generation of residences in the country.  It will provide skilled employees with a five-year residency without a sponsor or employer. Significant amendments have been made to the Gold Accommodation Scheme to ease eligibility criteria and expand the categories of beneficiaries, with no restrictions on the maximum length of stay outside the UAE to keep the Golden Residence valid.

The Golden Residency Visa for Scientists is based on the recommendations of the Emirates Scientist Council and provides high achievers and influential scientists in their field.

The individual must have a Ph.D. or postgraduate degree with significant research achievements from the best universities in the world in the fields of engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences.

Golden Residency Visa for Talented Talents - The Golden Residency Visa is issued to people with exceptional talent in culture, arts, sports, digital technology and innovation, regardless of their educational qualifications, job status, monthly salary or professional standard.

Golden Residency Visa for Professionals - Professionals with valid employment contracts in the UAE are ranked first or second according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization Classification, which is affiliated with the ISCO International Standard of Occupations.

The International Labor Organization requires that a person have a minimum educational qualification, a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and a monthly salary of not less than 30,000 dirhams.

Golden Residence holders can now sponsor their family members, including wives and children, regardless of their age, and sponsor further support services without limiting their number, and in the event of the Golden Residence owner dies, then the family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit expires.  

Unmarried daughters can stay in the UAE after school and university regardless of age. Parents can sponsor their boys up to the age of 25. Green residency owners can bring their first-degree relatives.

Golden Residency for Entrepreneurs - A Golden Residency visa can be issued to an entrepreneur who is registered in the Small and Medium Enterprises category and owns or is a partner of a start-up with an annual income of not less than one million dirhams.

Golden Visa for Excellent Students and Graduates - Students of UAE Secondary Schools, Excellent Graduates from UAE Universities, Top 100 Universities Around the World are eligible for the Golden Residency Visa by special criteria including academic performance, year of graduation and university classification.

The new visa rules will now allow people entering as visitors to stay for 60 days rather than 30 days.

 Determined children are eligible for a residence permit regardless of their age. The new rules will help sustainable development and economic diversity policy in the country.