The UAE government, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the executive regulations of the Federal Decree-Law on Foreigners’ Entry and Residence, aimed at enhancing the UAE’s reputation as an ideal location for living, working and investing.
The executive regulations detail the types and conditions of entry visas and residence permits in detail. The new entry and residence system aims to attract and retain global talents and skilled workers from all over the world, while also increasing the job market’s competitiveness and flexibility and instilling a sense of security among UAE residents and families.
Residence
The Golden Residence Scheme has been significantly amended to simplify the eligibility criteria and broaden the categories of beneficiaries. This ten-year residence is reserved for investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and professionals, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and first responders.
The amendments permit the holder of a Golden Residence to sponsor family members, including spouses and children regardless of their age, as well as to sponsor support services (domestic) labourers indefinitely. Additionally, there are no restrictions on the maximum duration of stay outside the UAE required to maintain the Golden Residence.
There are additional benefits for family members that allow them to remain in the UAE following the death of the original Golden Residence holder until the expiration of their permit.
Scientists’ Golden Residence
This residence is granted on the recommendation of the Emirates Scientists Council to scientists and researchers with significant achievements and influence in their field.
The candidate should hold a doctoral or master’s degree in engineering, technology, life sciences, or natural sciences from one of the world’s top universities. The candidate should have a track record of significant research accomplishments.
Professionals’ Golden Residence
This category has been expanded significantly in order to attract highly skilled workers with educational credentials and professional experience in a variety of fields, including medicine, science and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture, and social sciences.
The applicants must hold a valid employment contract in the UAE and be classified in the first or second occupational level according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization’s classification system, which is aligned with the International Labour Organization’s International Standard of Classification of Occupations (ISCO).
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required as a minimum educational level, and the monthly salary cannot be less than (30) thirty thousand dirhams.
Exceptional Talents’ Golden Residence
This residence is reserved for exceptional talent in critical fields. It is given solely on the basis of talent, regardless of educational attainment, employment status, monthly salary, or professional level.
It requires the endorsement or approval of a federal or local government entity and recognises exceptional individuals in the fields of culture, art, sports, digital technology, inventors and innovators, and other vital fields.
For Real Estate Investors, the Golden Residence
Golden Residence is available to real estate investors who purchase a property worth at least AED2 million.
According to the new amendments, investors may also qualify for the Golden Residence if they finance the purchase of a property with a loan from one of the designated local banks. Golden Residence is also available to investors who purchase one or more off-plan properties worth at least AED2 million from approved local real estate companies.
Entrepreneurs’ Golden Residence
The executive regulations establish flexible eligibility requirements for entrepreneurs seeking Golden Residence; an entrepreneur must own or be a partner in a startup registered in the country that falls under the category of small and medium-sized enterprises SME and generates annual revenues of at least AED1 million.
Additionally, approval of a startup idea by an official business incubator, the Ministry of Economy, or the appropriate local authorities is sufficient to qualify for the Golden Residence in this category.
Additionally, if the individual is a founder (one of the founders) of a prior entrepreneurial project (projects) that were sold for a total value of at least AED7 million, he is eligible for Golden Residence. Projects or ideas must be approved by the Ministry of Economy or the appropriate local authorities.
This residence is designed for high-achieving secondary school students in the UAE, as well as outstanding graduates from UAE universities and the world’s top 100 universities, based on specific criteria such as academic performance (cumulative average), graduation year, and university classification.
Unparalleled Benefits from New Residence Types
Significant enhancements include the addition of new five-year residence tracks designed to attract talented individuals, skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. Additional benefits are available to facilitate family members’ residence, including longer flexible grace periods of up to six months to remain in the country after a residence permit is revoked or expired, in addition to facilitating and simplifying the requirements for all residence types.
Residence for a Skilled Employee that is Eco-Friendly
A new pathway that provides skilled employees with a five-year residency without the need for a sponsor or employer.
Applicants must hold a valid employment contract and be classified at the first, second, or third occupational level, as defined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent education is required, and the salary must not be less than fifteen (15) thousand dirhams.
Green Residence for Self-Employment and Freelancing
In line with the growing importance of flexible work models, this track allows freelancers and self-employed individuals to reside in the UAE for five years without the need for a sponsor or employer.
It requires the applicant to obtain a freelance/self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, have a bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma, and have earned at least AED360,000 in the previous two years from self-employment, or demonstrate financial solvency throughout his stay in the country.
Residence for an investor or business partner that is environmentally friendly
This residence was created to encourage investment; it provides investors with a five-year residency period if they establish or participate in commercial activities. It takes the place of the previous residence, which was only valid for two years.
Requirements include investment approval and proof of investment. The total invested capital will be calculated if the investor (partner) owns more than one licence. Approval by the appropriate local authorities is required.
Additional Family Member Benefits
The new system benefits family members more. A resident may bring his or her family members, including her spouse and children, without difficulty.
Children’s ages have been increased to 25 years (previously 18 years), and there is no age restriction on unmarried daughters. Children of determination, regardless of their age, are granted a residence permit.
The Green Residence holder may bring his or her first-degree relatives, and in all cases, family members’ residency shall be for the same duration as the residence holder’s.
The New Visa System
The new system provides UAE visitors with a variety of visa types suitable for a variety of visit purposes. For the first time, new types of visas are introduced that do not require a host or sponsor. Significant enhancements include streamlining entry requirements for all visa types and providing visitors with flexible visa durations that meet their needs and the purpose of their visit. Additionally, all entry visas are available for single or multiple entries, are renewable for comparable periods and are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
Visa for Job Exploration
This visa was created to attract young talents and skilled professionals to the country to explore job opportunities; it does not require a sponsor or a host. It is granted to those classified as having the first, second, or third skill level by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, as well as to recent graduates from the world’s top 500 universities, with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent as the minimum educational level.
To encourage investors and entrepreneurs to explore business and investment opportunities in the UAE, we offer easy entry without the need for a sponsor or host.
Along with the standard tourist visa sponsored by the UAE’s tourism establishments, a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa was introduced.
This type does not require a sponsor and allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 90 consecutive days, which may be extended if the total stay does not exceed 180 days in a calendar year.
This visa requires proof of a bank balance of $4,000 or its foreign currency equivalent in the six months preceding the submission of the application.
