UAE announces four new visit visa categories, amendments to entry permit
The UAE on Monday announced four new visit visa categories, including visas granted to Artificial Intelligence specialists and in the fields of entertainment, events, cruise ships, and luxury yachts.
This comes as part of several key amendments and additions to the entry visa regulations issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
“The new regulations support reinforcing the UAE’s approach of openness to the world and its efforts to attract talent, expertise, and entrepreneurs in the fields of technology—particularly artificial intelligence—as well as entertainment and tourism,” said Khalid Al Rumaithi, Assistant Undersecretary for ICP Policies and Statutes.
“Visa applicants and holders will find in the new regulations clear schedules specifying the authorised duration of stay for each visa type and outlining the applicable conditions for extension.”
New UAE visit visas
For AI specialists: It is a single or multiple entry, for a specific period of time. This type of visa can be issued subject to the applicant providing a letter from a sponsoring/hosting entity, such as a technology-specific facility or institution.
For entertainment: This type of visa will be issued to foreign nationals coming for a temporary period for entertainment purposes.
For events: This visa will be granted to foreigners for a temporary period in order to participate in a festival, exhibition, conference, seminar or economic, cultural, sports, religious, community, educational, or other similar events. The sponsoring/hosting entity must be from the public or private sector and the sponsoring/hosting entity must provide a letter including the details of the event and its duration.
For tourism: Foreigners can be granted a multiple-entry visa to visit the UAE for tourism purposes through cruise ships and leisure boats for a temporary period, provided that the itinerary includes visits to the UAE and the sponsoring/hosting entity in this case is a licensed facility for this type of activity
Humanitarian residence permit
The humanitarian residence permit will be granted for a year renewable by the decision of the ICP in accordance with the conditions referred to hereinabove.
In cases of wars, disasters, or unrest, the ICP may issue a decision to continue granting visas to foreigners from those countries without the need for a guarantor or host.
The residency may be renewed or cancelled in response to the reports made by the competent department in the Authority - General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs- And this type of residency will be considered void if the beneficiary leaves the UAE.
Regarding cases where a citizen or a foreigner brings in relatives or his/her spouse’s relatives in humanitarian cases, the decision stipulates that the Director General of Identity and Foreigners Affairs at the Authority may exempt some of these cases from the financial solvency requirement, or the degree of kinship requirement, or both, while adhering to the same technical and financial regulations in force.
Widows, divorcees
Other changes announced on Monday is that a residency permit will be issued for the foreign widow or divorcee for one year, which can be renewed for a similar period.
If the husband is Emirati: It is possible to grant residency in this case, provided that the residency for the foreign widow or divorcee with no children is issued within six months of the date of death or divorce.
If the husband is a foreigner: The decision allows for the granting of residency to the foreign widow or divorcee with custody of her children within six months of the date of death or divorce provided that she is present in the country at the time, that the guarantor was the husband at the time of death or divorce, and that the widow or divorcee is the custodian if she wants to sponsor her children’s residency under her name
The competent committee will issue a decision in cases of custody disputes. In all cases, financial solvency and adequate housing requirements must be met, and the residency may be renewed for a similar period for valid reasons.
Relatives, friends
UAE will now have to satisfy minimum income requirements under a new residency rule.
Under the new scheme, individuals looking to bring over their immediate family members must earn at least Dh4,000 per month. In the case of second- or third-degree relatives, the minimum salary requirement goes up to Dh8,000 per month. When it comes to sponsoring friends, expats must draw a monthly salary of at least Dh15,000.
Business exploration visa
In the case of the Business Exploration Visa, the decision imposed the condition that the foreigner applicant has financial solvency, consistent with the nature of the activity he aspires to practice, or that he is already practicing this activity through an existing establishment or company outside the UAE or that he is a professional in this field.
Truck drivers' visa
The government has also announced the amendment of conditions and regulations of truck drivers’ visas.
The truck drivers can now be issued single/multiple entry visas subject to the guarantor/host (in this case) being a freight company/business carrying on the business of transporting goods and fulfillment of the financial guarantee and prescribed fee and the beneficiary being covered by health insurance.
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