New Entry and Residency Rules in the UAE: What Has Changed?

It's well-known that all countries have foreigners, whether settled there permanently or just working. However, some countries have more foreigners than others, especially if the country presents many opportunities for them. One perfect example of this is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is popularly known as one of the countries with many expats.

The UAE is a fun place to live in, given that it has many attractions and offers breathtaking views of the vast blue ocean. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the country's tourism, prompting the government to change the entry and residency laws that went into effect last April 2022 and will continue to do so until September 2022. The changes are as follows:

The Golden Residence Visa

The Golden Residence visas are meant for entrepreneurs, investors, frontline workers, scientists and other professionals, humanitarian pioneers, outstanding students and graduates, and other exceptional talents. The visa grants long-term residence to these categories of people to ensure that the country's business and investment landscape will flourish.

The benefits of the golden visa are as follows:

• 10 years renewable residency visa.
• No sponsor or employer is required.
• The number of days spent outside the UAE does not nullify the visa (extends to family members, inclusive of spouse and children, with no age limit).
• No maximum number of support service laborers is required.
• Family members can live in the UAE till the end of the residence permit if the original golden residence visa holder passes away.
• The Entry Visa is valid for 6 months with multiple entries.

Residency Permits

Residency permits in the UAE are available for one, two, or five years. Again, no sponsor or employer is required to get a residency permit. The visas are as follows:

• Remote Work Residence
• Retirement Residence Vis
• Real Estate Owner’s Residence

It's also worth noting that no sponsor is required for these visas, so the applicants can move and live freely in the country. However, the family members' visas are sponsored by the UAE resident towards their spouse and children until the age of 25 or if they have unmarried daughters. There is no age limit for the latter.

Entry Visas

In the UAE, entry visas come in various types with different benefits. These entry visas are as follows:

• To Visit Relatives & Friends - no need for a host or sponsor.
• Tourist Visa - sponsored by a local tourism establishment 
• Multi-Entry Tourist Visa - applicable for 5 years and does not require a host or a sponsor.
• Studying or Training - sponsored by educational or public and private entities for training and internship programs for outstanding students.
• Emergency - visa is valid for transits, sailors, flight crews, and medical and flight emergencies.
• Medical Treatment - can be sponsored by a medical establishment.
• Temporary Work Mission - for people working on temporary projects or probationary periods.
• Explore Job Opportunities - this allows easy entry for skilled workers to search for job opportunities without a sponsorship.
• Explore Business Opportunities - allows easy entry into UAE for those looking for profitable business opportunities and investments without a sponsorship.
• Diplomatic Affairs - applicable for those that hold special, diplomatic, or UN passports.
• GCC residents - made for (GCC Gulf Cooperation Council) residents and their escorts.

Should You Go to the UAE?

Many expats have already moved to the UAE, and it looks like more will come in the future. What's great about the UAE is that it's a country where people from all over the world come to live and work in harmony. This means that expats can freely do whatever they want without being bothered by government laws, as long as they do it right. Also, the UAE offers a wide range of affordable housing options just a stone's throw away from prime locations, making it a great place to live.

Conclusion

The UAE is a welcoming country where everyone can co-exist peacefully. It's a great place to live in if you're an expat or a tourist, given that it has many favorable conditions that are perfect for expats. All that matters is that you follow and partake in the laws meant for expats.

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