New Visa Rule in the UAE – Effective from September 2022

Introducing a restructuring of its entry and residence systems, the UAE continues its quest to become the ideal destination for work, business, investment, entrepreneurship, education and life. The new visa rules in the UAE has expanded and updated all the different types of entry visas and residence permits, including the new Golden Visa and Green Visa categories. The new visa rule in the UAE will be effective from September 2022.

The visa changes will ensure to attract more skilled professionals and talents from across the globe. Furthermore, it will facilitate an influx of investors, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals. The UAE job market will benefit from greater competition and flexibility, as well as create a feeling of stability among UAE citizens and their families.

Let’s take a closer look at the UAE visa changes in 2022.

UAE Visa Changes in 2022

The UAE’s new visa rules 2022 have introduced around ten entry visas for the first time without requiring either a sponsor or a host. These visas are intended for visitors to the UAE who wish to visit for different reasons.

There have been several improvements for entry visas including easing the requirements for all visa types and offering visas with flexible durations. This will meet the needs and purpose of the visit. Furthermore, all visas will now be valid for either a single or multiple entries and will remain valid for 60 days after they are issued. The same applies to the visa renewal.

• Job Exploration Entry Visa

UAE’s exciting job opportunities attract several young professionals. The new exploration visa allows these professionals to explore job opportunities more easily.

To apply for this visa, the applicants do not require a sponsor or host. However, there is one criterion – candidates must have graduated from one of the top 500 universities in the world and be classified in the first, second or third skill level (as outlined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation).

• Multi-Entry Tourist Visa

UAE’s new visa rules 2022 have introduced a 5-year tourist visa that enables the tourist to apply for a visa without the need for a sponsor.  The visa change allows the tourist to enjoy a 90-day stay in UAE at a stretch. However, in the UAE, you can stay a maximum of 180 days every year.

As part of the application process, applicants must submit a six-month bank statement with a balance of $4,000.

• Visa for Family Members with New Benefits

Family members benefit from the new visa rule in the UAE, including spouses and children, as well as the ease of issuing residence permits for them.

The sponsorship age has been raised to 25 years (previously 18 years). Unmarried daughters are no longer restricted by age to be sponsored. All children under the age of determination will be granted a residence permit.

Green Visa holders can issue residence permits to their immediate family members. In any case, the residency of their relatives will be valid for the same period as their own.

Furthermore, children with disabilities will be granted a permanent resident permit regardless of their age.

• Entry Visa for Study and Training

The new visa rule in the UAE now allows entry visas for people who are attending training and study courses and/or participating in internship programmes in the country.

The universities or educational and research institutions licenced in the UAE or government or private entities can sponsor the applicant.  The requirement for this visa is a letter from the entity, mentioning all the required details of the study, training or internship programme including the duration for the same.

• Entry Visa for a Temporary Work Assignment

An employer can sponsor an entry visa for those intending to work in the UAE on a temporary project or probational work. A temporary work contract or a letter from the employer clarifying the purpose of the visit as well as proof of health is all that is needed.

Golden Visa – New Visa Rule in the UAE 2022

The UAE’s Golden Visa offers a 10-year residence visa to international investors and top talent from across the globe including doctors, specialists, scientists, and inventors. The new visa rule in the UAE has expanded the beneficiary categories and simplified the eligibility criteria. 

• Golden Visa for Family and Domestic Workers

The new visa rule in the UAE aims to expand the categories of beneficiaries and simplify eligibility criteria for the Golden Residence Scheme.

Families and domestic workers can be sponsored by Golden Residence holders regardless of their age. One may also stay outside the country for an indefinite amount of time without voiding their Golden Residence. Moreover, in case of the death of the Golden Residence visa holder, their family members may stay in the country till the expiration of the permit.

• Golden Visa for Scientists

Researchers and scientists who are highly accomplished and influential in their field can apply for the Golden Residence of scientists based on recommendations made by the Emirates Scientists Council.

The requirements for this residence UAE visa include:

• • The applicant must hold a PhD or master’s degree in engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from the top universities in the world.
  • The applicants should have substantial research achievements.

• Golden Visa for Skilled Professionals

The new visa rule in the UAE has introduced new expansions in the Golden residence visa for skilled professionals. The aim is to attract highly skilled professionals from across the globe to improve the economy of the UAE. Professions eligible for the golden visa include sciences and engineering, medicine, IT, education, business and administration, social sciences, law, and culture.

To be eligible for the Golden Visa, applicants should:

• • Hold a valid employment contract in the UAE.
  • The employment must be classified by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in the first or second occupational level.
  • have a minimum educational level of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
  • The monthly salary must not be less than AED 30,000 (USD 8,167.74).

• Golden Visa for Exceptional Talents

As per the new visa rule in the UAE, a Golden visa is primarily granted to individuals based solely on talent, irrespective of their educational qualification, monthly salary, or employment status. The approval or recommendation for the Golden visa is required from a federal or local government entity.

Talented individuals in sports, art, culture, digital technology, inventors and innovators and other vital fields can apply for the visa. 

• Golden Visa for Real Estate Investors

The new visa rule in the UAE has made Golden Residence Visa available for Real Estate investors if they purchase a property in UAE worth AED 2 million (USD 544514.76) or more. 

Furthermore, investors can obtain the visa, if they buy one or more off-plan properties from local real estate companies on a loan from local banks.

• Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs

As per the new visa rule in the UAE, the eligibility criteria to obtain the Golden Residence for Entrepreneurs are only if –

• • The applicant owns or is a partner of a UAE-registered start-up company in small and medium enterprises (SME).
  • The annual revenues generated are not less than AED 1 million (USD 2,72,257.38).

In another case, if the applicant is a founder or one of the founders of an entrepreneurial project that was sold for AED 7 million (USD 19,05,801.66) or more, they are eligible for a Golden visa.

• Golden Visa for Students and Graduates

Students and graduates who have excelled in secondary schools and universities in the UAE and the top 100 universities worldwide can apply for the Golden Visa. As per the UAE Visa Changes in 2022, the visa is based on specific criteria for students and graduates. Such as academic performance (cumulative average), graduation year, and university classification.

Green Visa – UAE Visa Changes in 2022

The newly introduced Green Visa – part of the UAE ‘Projects of the 50’, will be effective in September 2022, offering a five-year residency visa without the need of a sponsor or employer. 

• Green Visa For Skilled Employees

The new visa rules in the UAE for Green Visa enables skilled employees to receive a 5-year residency visa without the need of a sponsor or employer.

However, there are certain requirements to obtain this visa. They include –

• • The applicants must have a valid employment contract.
  • It must be classified in the first, second or third occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification is the minimum education required
  • The salary of the applicant must not be less than AED 15,000 (USD 4083.86).

• Green Visa for Freelancing and Self-Employment

Since “work from home” is the new work format for most companies, the freelancing industry has flourished in many profitable ways with flexible work hours at hand. The new Green visa for freelancers offers a 5-year residency visa to work in the country without requiring a sponsor or employer in the UAE.

The new visa rules in the UAE for freelancers has requirements that include –

• • To obtain a freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
  • A minimum educational qualification with a bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma.
  • An annual income of AED 360,000 (USD 98,012.66) for the previous two years of self-employment.
  • The applicant must demonstrate financial stability during their stay in the country.

• Green Visa for Investor or Partner

The purpose of the Green Visa is to encourage investors to build capital in the UAE real estate market for economic growth. Earlier, the Green Visa was valid for two years but with the UAE’s new visa rules 2022, Green Visa for investors and partners has increased to a five-year residency if they establish or participate in commercial activities.

The requirements necessary to obtain this visa are –

• • Proof and approval of the investment.
  • In case the investor or partner holds more than one license, the total investment will be calculated.
  • The mandatory approval of the competent local authorities is required.

In Conclusion

The new liberalized entry and residence scheme for UAE’s new visa rules 2022 targets to boost the economic, tourism, and educational growth and competitiveness of the country. For those intending to look for employment, a location change, expand their business, make investments, or simply visit family and friends, the new visa rule in the UAE has simplified the whole process with several perks and benefits.

Stay tuned for more information on all the UAE’s visa changes in 2022 as the authorities are working towards making UAE the ideal one-stop for all your dreams. 

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