The UAE cabinet approved the executive regulations of the Federal Decree-Law on Entry and Residence of Foreigners aimed at boosting its position as an ideal destination to live, work, and invest.
The executive regulations provide comprehensive information on the types and conditions of entry visas and residence permits.
The new system of entry and residence aims at attracting and retaining global talents and skilled workers from all over the world, boosting the competitiveness and flexibility of the job market and fostering a high sense of stability among UAE residents and families.
Substantial amendments were also introduced to the Golden Residence Scheme to simplify the eligibility criteria and expand the categories of beneficiaries.
This long-term 10-year residence is granted to investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and professionals, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes.
The amendments allow the Golden Residence holder to sponsor their family members, including spouse and children, regardless of age, as well as domestic workers without limiting their number.
Furthermore, there is no restriction related to the maximum duration of stay outside the UAE in order to keep the Golden Residence valid.
There are other benefits for family members that allow them to stay in the UAE in case of the death of the original holder of the Golden Residence until the end of their permit duration.
This residence is granted to scientists and researchers with high achievements and influence in their field based on recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council.
A major expansion was introduced in this category to attract highly skilled workers with educational qualifications and professional experience in all majors, including medicine, sciences and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture and social sciences.
The applicants should have a valid employment contract in the UAE and should be classified in the first or second occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization classification, which is aligned with the International Standard of Classification of Occupations ISCO by the International Labor Organization.
The Golden Visa for Outstanding Students and Graduates targets high performing students in UAE secondary schools, and outstanding graduates from UAE universities and the best 100 universities worldwide, according to specific criteria that includes their academic performance (cumulative average), the year of graduation, and the university classification.
Meanwhile, real estate investors can obtain Golden Residence when purchasing a property worth no less than AED2 million.
As per the new amendments, investors are also entitled to obtain the Golden Residence when purchasing a property with a loan from specific local banks.
Investors can also obtain Golden Residence when buying one or more off-plan properties of no less than AED2 million from approved local real estate companies.
Major improvements include introducing new five-years residence tracks to attract talents, skilled professionals, freelancers, investors and entrepreneurs.
More benefits are offered to facilitate family members residence, and longer flexible grace periods that reach up to six months to stay in the country after the residence permit is cancelled or expired, in addition to facilitating and simplifying the requirements of all residence types.
The new system provides more benefits to family members, allowing residents to easily issue residence permits for their family members, including spouse and children.
Green Residences holders are allowed to issue residence permits for their first-degree relatives, and in all cases the residency of family members shall be the validity duration as the original residence holder.
The cabinet further approved a new system for entry visas, which offers the UAE visitors a variety of visa types for different visit purposes.
New types of visas are introduced without requiring a host or sponsor for the first time.
Major improvements include facilitating the entry requirements for all visa types, offering flexible visa durations that meet the needs of the visitors and the purpose of the visit.
It introduced the job exploration entry visa to attract young talents and skilled professionals to explore job opportunities available in the country and does not require a sponsor or a host.
