The United Arab Emirates has resumed issuing 60-day visitor visas, representatives of the tourism industry confirm. Meanwhile, several travel agents are still waiting for clarification from the migration authorities regarding new entry permits.
New visas began to be issued in the UAE on October 3, 2022, when the new visa rules announced in April came into force, which represents a major transformation of immigration law.
According to representatives of the tourism industry, one of the most popular among the guests was a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa. Its design does not require a sponsor. A multi-visa allows foreigners to continuously stay in the UAE for 90 days and no more than 180 days a year.
The new five-year UAE resident visas allow parents to sponsor daughters of any age, making it much easier for university graduates to find employment. Many businesses will be able to hire girls with valid resident visas for one or two-month internships. In addition, they will be able to work on selected projects as freelancers or self-employed.
Boys also get the opportunity to get back on their feet under the care of parents, who will now be able to sponsor their sons until they reach the age of 25, and not the age of majority, as was the case before. “Green” resident visas allow their holders to sponsor themselves and close relatives in addition to spouses and children for 5 years.
Green visa holders will be able to sponsor their relatives for the same period. Such visas are issued to foreigners falling under one of three categories:
Highly qualified specialists can obtain a five-year residence permit without the participation of a sponsor or employer. At the same time, they must have a valid employment contract in their hands and correspond to the first, second, or third professional level in the register of the Ministry of Manpower and Emiratization, have at least a bachelor’s degree and a salary of at least 15,000 dirhams per month.
Freelancers and the self-employed can obtain a freelance work permit from the Ministry of Manpower and Emiratization. They must have at least a bachelor’s degree or a specialized diploma. The annual income from self-employment for the previous two years must be at least 360 thousand dirhams (more than US$ 98 thousand). Alternatively, the applicant can prove their financial solvency to live in the UAE.
Investors and partners of companies who wish to conduct commercial activities in the UAE can extend their visas for up to five years, subject to the consent of the competent local authorities and confirmation of the amount of investment.