The UAE Government has updated a few Visa Regulations for Expats. The changes aim at the happiness of the expatriates living in the UAE. Also, to enable ex-pats to enjoy their time in the UAE with a peaceful mind. Here are the latest updates on tourist visas, dependent visas, and multiple entry tourist visas in UAE.
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
Visitors can apply for a 5-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa in UAE. The issuing authority for the visits visa is the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA).
The 5-Year Visa enables the tourists to enter multiple times on self-sponsorship and remain in the country for 90 days on each visit. Hence, it is a great option for off-shore employees working on projects in the UAE. Also, at the same time, they can experience the lifestyle of Dubai for a longer duration.
The multi-national companies have already started issuing five-year tourist visas for employees allowing them to stay in the country for 90 days. It is also a great opportunity for the ex-pats to bring their relatives to Dubai and spend more time here with the family.
Steps to Apply for the Five-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
Dubai Residents can apply for the Five-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa through GDRFA and for residents in other Emirates, the application must go through ICP Website.
Applying for Multiple-Year Tourist Visa for Employees in Dubai
Companies in Dubai can apply for Multi-Year Tourist Visa for employees by visiting the dubaimultiyear.com
Submit the following details for obtaining the tourist visa for the employees.
- Dubai Immigration Establishment Number of the parent company in UAE
- Company Name
- Company History (No. of Years in Business)
- Office Headquarter Location
- Company Website
- Company Phone Number
- Branches Location
- Supplier Details and location
- Number of company services offered in Dubai
- Number of employees in Dubai
- Average Annual Revenue
- Number of board members
- Company PRO/ Representative details (Full Name, Email, Phone Number)
The verification of the documents will take 1-3 working days. The company will receive the confirmation email with the steps to submit the individual visa application.
Applying for Tourist Visa for Family – Dubai & Rest of UAE
Submit the application for a tourist visa directly to the ICA website. For Dubai Residents, submit the application through GDRFA. similarly, in other Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras-Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain) they submit the application through the ICA website.
Steps to Apply Using ICA Website
- Fill in the application form with name, address inside the UAE, permanent address, etc.
- Upload the photographs, passport copy, medical insurance, bank statement for last six months.
- Applicant must have a balance of USD 4,000 or equivalent foreign currencies in the last six months.
- Review the application and make the fee payment
- Receive the visa by email upon verification
Change in the Sponsorship Criteria for Residency Visa of Dependents
The most recent rule change by the Federal Authority for Identity and Emiratisation (FAIE) is Significant. Any ex-pat earning Dh 4000 and having accommodation can sponsor their family in the UAE. Also, ex-pats with a salary of Dh 3000 with company-provided accommodation can sponsor their family in the UAE.
Professional Titles have no impact to sponsor dependents with the new family sponsorship policy. Furthermore, the new rules aims at improving the work-life balance of the ex-pat. It will also help in uniting them with their family and spending more time with their loved ones.
Dependent Sons with 18+ Years will get Residency Visa
UAE residents can renew the residency visas for up to two consecutive years of their 18-year-old dependent sons. Irrespective of whether they are secondary school or university graduates.
The residence permit, therefore, will be valid for a year and renewable for an additional year. There is no deposit of 5000 AED to apply for the residency visa.
This move is also to increase the possibility of dependent sons continuing their education in the UAE. Eventually reducing the scope of children moving out for higher studies.
Requirements
Residents can submit the supporting documents to the authorities. It will include the certificate of secondary education/graduation certificate or the information from the university where the dependent is studying.
Additionally, the document must be duly certified and attested as per requirements in the UAE.
Where to Apply?
Applicants can apply normally through all the residency and naturalization offices for a nominal fee. Also, it is renewable for one more additional year.
Tourist Visa Fees waived off for dependents under 18 years
In another announcement by The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, tourists from all over the world will get free visit visas for their accompanying children below the age of 18 until September 2019.
Furthermore, UAE has a 14-day express tourist visa package. There is also a 30-day multi-entry tourist visa to promote travel to the UAE from within GCC and neighboring countries.
Transit Passengers exempted from all entry fees for the first 48 hours
For transit passengers, all entry fees for the first 48 hours are exempted. Thus, the transit visa can be extended for up to 96 hours for a nominal fee. Additionally, the express counter at the passport-control hall across UAE airports will facilitate the obtaining of a transit visa.
Visa for Overstayed Job Seekers
The Cabinet had adopted a decision to grant people overstaying in UAE a chance to leave the country voluntarily without a “no entry” passport stamp.
Also, a new 6-month visa is introduced for job seekers who overstayed their visa but wish to work in the country.
The temporary visa enhances the possibilities for more fresh talent flowing to UAE. The new visa changes are position UAE as a land of opportunities.
Visa for Divorcees, Widows
One-year visa extension will be provided to the Divorcees, Widows and their children and they won’t need a sponsor to apply for the visa. It is aimed to give women the opportunity to adjust their social and economic status after the loss of the head of the family.
New UAE Residence Visa Reforms – Entry Permits & Tourist Visa Changes
There is a whole new set of UAE Residence Visa reforms in UAE that will now allow the applicant to obtain a visa without any sponsor requirement. There are variety of Visa Types based on specific purposes and need of the visitors.
It will help the expatriates to choose from a wide range of visa options depending on their specific requirements. Here are few updates about the new UAE Residence Visas.
1. Visit Visa
The new Visit Visa will be roll out from September 2022 for visiting the UAE. It will allow a stay upto 60 days as against the previously allowed 30 days.
2. Multi-Entry Tourist Visa
There is a Five Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for visitors to enter UAE and explore the country better. The applicant must have a bank balance of USD 4000 for at least 6 months before processing the visa application.
Also, for a single stay the applicant can be in UAE for 90 consecutive days and the stay must not exceed 180 days in a year.
3. Job Exploration Entry Visa
It is a new type of visa for workers in the second or third skill levels as per the Ministry of Human Resource and Emiratization (MOHRE).
It is also applicable for fresh graduates from the best 500 universities in the world with minimum educational qualification of a Bachelor’s Degree.
4. Business Entry Visa
It is for business investors to visit UAE and explore the various business opportunities. It does not require a local sponsor to host for processing the visa application.
5. Entry Permit to Visit Relatives/Friends
A visitor can apply for the entry permit for visiting their friends and relatives in UAE.
6. Entry Permit for Study and Training
Individuals can apply for the entry permit for study and training or for participating in internship programme. The sponsor for such type of entry permit can be the educational institutes, universities, or research centers licensed in the country.
Also, there is a requirement of a letter from the entity clarifying the details of the study or training or the internship program and the duration of the program.
7. Entry Permit for a Temporary Work Mission
This type of permit is eligible for individuals who have temporary work assignments such as any specific projects, decommissioning works, system maintenance, and more.
There is a requirement of a temporary work contract or a letter from the employer stating the purpose of visit and also a fitness report for verifying the eligibility to work in the UAE.
For all lthe atest updates on the Visa Regulations refer to the Official Portal of the UAE Government.
To learn more about the long-term golden visa criteria and Retirement Visa read our blog.
Contact: Aurion Business Consultants
