UAE New Visa Rules In 2024 And It’s Impact On Jobs And Families

Currently, the Emirates announced the new visa rules in UAE with important changes in the laws. Likewise, with the implementation of these new regulations, both residents and expatriates will be affected. However, the changes will be more convenient because they improve the experience with visas, jobs, and travel.

In this article, you will learn what are the new rules for UAE visa set by the government in 2024 and their consequences. Also, we will show you how affects if you are a student, a worker, or simply a person who wants to enjoy the Emirates as a visitor.

Key Changes to UAE Visa Rules in 2024

In these recent years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a number of new visa rules. Skilled workers, investors, and retirees will find it easier and more appealing to live and work in the nation. This thanks to these new cabinet regulations.

Here are some new visa rules for 2024:

Unified GCC tourist visa

During its 40th Interior Ministers council in Muscat, Oman, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) officially agreed a unified tourist visa. Thus, marking a significant step towards improving regional tourism and economic engagement.

By allowing visa holders entry to all six GCC nations, the unified Gulf tourist visa seeks to facilitate travel between residents and visitors while also promoting local tourism and financial integration. By keeping tourists in the Gulf area, this deliberate action seeks to improve relations between the GCC countries.

The newest sources state that the GCC countries’ tourism ministers have approved the single Gulf tourist visa. It seems likely that this visa will be put into effect in 2024 or 2025. This depending on the internal requirements of each GCC nation.

Multiple-entry visa

New multiple-entry visas for business and leisure travelers are available in the UAE. The UAE government intends to introduce a new five-year, multiple-entry tourist visa. According to new visa rules, it will not require a sponsor and permit stays of up to 90 days, with the possibility of an additional 90 days.

This eliminates the need for repeat visa applications. Thus, allowing travelers to more easily explore and do business in the United Arab Emirates. Before submitting an application for a visa, the applicant must have a balance of no less than AED 14,700. Or its equivalent in foreign currencies within the previous six months.

Business visa

Investors, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople are eligible for a business visa to the UAE without a host or sponsorship.

Family/friends visit visa

If a foreigner has friends or relatives who are citizens or residents of the UAE, they may apply for this visa on their behalf. In a similar vein, no sponsor or host is necessary for this visa. In the UAE, renewing a visit visa typically costs AED 1,100, though this might change.

Temporary work visa

Candidates for this specific visa may be required to complete project-based or probationary work assignments, among other temporary employment assignments. Eligible applicants must provide documentation of their employment, such as:

• Temporary job agreement
• Employment letter
• Medical certificate

In order to be granted this visa.

Study visa

This visa caters to students or potential talent who wish to take part in academic courses, join specific training courses, or pursue internship opportunities. Educational research institutes in the public and private sectors can provide sponsorship opportunities.

A statement of intent detailing the duration and specifics of the study/training course must also be provided by the entity.

Family visa

Parents could sponsor their children up until the age of 18 under the prior family residency legislation. Male children are able to be sponsored until the age of 25. Likewise, female daughters can be sponsored in perpetuity. Plus, kids with special needs need a special permit, according to the UAE’s new visa rules.

Job seeker visa

The UAE government has taken a ground-breaking action to assist job seekers and streamline the application procedure. No hosts or sponsors are necessary for this visa, and applicants must have at least:

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
• Be recent grads from the world’s top 500 colleges.
• Applicants who fit into the MOHRE’s first, second, or third competency levels.

UAE re-entry permit

Agents at the Dubai Travel and Typing Center confirm that residents with residence visas who are going to be abroad for longer than six months are eligible to request for a reentry permit.

With this permission, residents can avoid having their residence dismissed by returning to the United Arab Emirates within 30 days of approval.

Residents must present documentation of their eligibility and give an explanation for why they are staying outside of the nation.

For all Emirates with the exception of Dubai, the permission may be obtained for via the ICP official website. Visas issued by Dubai will require a somewhat different procedure.

Entry permit extensions

• Depending on the reason for the visit and additional circumstances, entry permits to the UAE can be extended for a maximum of 90 days.
• Candidates must apply through the appropriate travel agency and have a passport that has been valid for at least 6 months.
• By registering an account and paying costs, entry permit renewals can be obtained using the ICP smart system within 48 hours.
• GCC citizens can purchase two 30-day extensions for AED 610, in exchange for AED 260 and a copy of their passport.

Extensions for education, healthcare, and GCC associate entry permits may be longer than one month. AED 510 permits for healthcare may be extended for up to 90 days. AED 260 permits for GCC companions, and AED 610 permits for study purposes.

Visit visa rules

UAE visit visa renewal

For visitors with 90-day visit visas, the UAE is offering an extra 30-day visa extension, enabling a total stay of up to 90 days. Furthermore, from within the nation, all categories of tourist visas are now eligible for extension for an additional 30 days. Each extension costs AED 600.

To renew their visas, holders do not have to exit the nation and return, but they must make sure the procedure can be complete before the visa expires. For an extension, they can also get in touch with the person who issues their visa.

Additionally, it has been confirmed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security UAE (ICP) that people can now use a personal online account to extend or terminate their entry permits. The following are the periods for the various permits:

• Applications for regular visas or green residency visas are valid for two months
• Those for golden visas allow for six months of validity with multiple entries

Entry permit extensions, cancellations, and printing are all possible using the digital method. At UAE border posts, citizens of neighboring border countries can get a 90-day entry visa that allows for multiple entrances and stays of up to 48 hours each.

Holders of Green and Golden visas, as well as the residence permits of their families, are still valid even if they spend more than 180 days abroad.

UAE visit visa overstay

When leaving the UAE, foreign people who have overstayed their visa must get an exit permit. For a charge of AED 200 to 300, one can purchase an exit pass at the airport, land frontiers, or Al Awir Customs office.

A 10-day grace period allows for holders of visit visas before they must pay the full AED 50 per day overstay fines. Visitors who are unable to depart because of airport delays or flight cancellations will not be punishable.

Unused visit visa UAE

Visitors with unused visit visas in the United Arab Emirates are required to pay a cancellation charge and terminate the visa within the permissible time frame. For example, a month for a 30-day visit visa.

Cancelling an unused visa might cost anywhere from AED 300 to other amounts. At an additional cost of AED 200, visitors can choose to prolong their stay in the nation by an additional two months. In order to prevent the immigration system from rejecting future visa applications, it is crucial to cancel any unused visas.

New UAE residency visa rules

Please be aware that going outside of the United Arab Emirates while your residency visa is under process is unlawful, according to new visa rules. It is also crucial to know that many of the nations in the region require a passport to be valid for at least six months in order to grant a resident visa.

Green visa

A new five-year resident visa known as the “Green Visa” is available to professionals who are:

• Skilled workers
• Independent contractors
• Self-employed and do not need an employer or sponsor

For talented people hoping to establish a career in the UAE, this visa provides more security and freedom.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization requirements, which include an annual salary of AED 15,000 and a bachelor’s degree, must be met by candidates in order for them to be eligible for the Green Visa.

AED 2,280 is the total cost of the Green Visa. This amount does not include extra payments for the ID card or medical treatments. Please be aware that the price could change.

Golden visa

UAE broadens the categories for Golden visas, streamlines the requirements for eligibility, and extends the duration of all visa types to 10 years. Holders of a visa are able to sponsor relatives and unrestricted support workers.

For Golden Visa recipients and their families, the grace period before a visa expires or is canceled is extended to six months.

The following are the several categories that qualify for a Golden Visa:

• Startups and other emerging companies can apply for the Golden Visa if they have a license in the UAE, meet the requirements for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and bring in at least AED 1 million annually.
• Real estate. Real estate investments are an option for investors who want to set up a permanent residence in Dubai. AED 2 million in property must be the minimum investment amount. When it comes to mortgages or off-plan properties, an individual’s eligibility may be taken into consideration if their combined total investment exceeds AED 2 million.
• Scientists and researchers. Experts in their scientific and research domains can also apply for the golden visa, subject to meeting specific qualifications like an Emirates Science Council recommendation letter and a doctoral or master’s degree in life science, biological sciences, technology, or engineering from a reputable university.
• Skilled workers. This covers anyone with a current work contract, a bachelor’s degree, or at least a monthly wage of AED 30,000. The MOHRE’s laws stipulate that their field of work must fall within occupational level one or two.
• Exceptional talent. People who show extraordinary talent in a variety of sectors, are eligible to apply for the Golden Visa, according to the UAE government. These applicants will require a letter of reference or approval from the appropriate government body. This will make the procedure challenging.

UAE residency visa stamping

According to new visa rules in UAE, the Emirates ID is taking the place of resident visa stamps in passports. In order to expedite the application procedure and reduce waiting times, UAE citizens can now apply for both their residency visa and Emirates ID in one easy step. Consequently, eliminating the need to gather passports for stamping.

The cost of an Emirates ID and a visa now includes a smart service charge of AED 100.

Residents of the UAE who need to update any details on their visas are now able to do it online, according to reports in the local media. Additionally, an application for a replacement Emirates ID will be in place immediately following the submission of a request for modifications to a residence visa.

The UAEICP smart app (iOS, Android) or the official website of the ICP are the places where applicants can access this service. Information on an applicant’s:

• Nationality
• Career
• Passport details
• Personal information

Are within the residence visa information that can be updated online.

The following paperwork must be put in by locals in order to apply for the online service:

• ID photo
• Passport copy
• Sponsor’s request to amend data
• Copy of Emirates ID

Other new visa rules in UAE

• The residency visa validity period for children of foreign nationals and Emirati women has been extended by the UAE government from three to five years. The ultimate goal of this decision is to improve their quality of life by strengthening their rights and giving them equal access to healthcare and education.
• In an effort to reduce costs, the Federal National Council (FNC) of the United Arab Emirates is currently renewing work permits from two to three years. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization issued the permits, which are good for the next two years. Working without a current permission does not qualify at all.

Impact on Employment

The advantages of new UAE visa rules for people wishing to work in the United Arab Emirates will include:

• For eligible individuals, five-year self-sponsorship
• Residence permits for immediate family members
• Sponsorship of daughters regardless of their age and male children up to 25 years of age.
• 6-month grace period to stay in the UAE when the visa expires or the employer cancels it.

Impact on Family Life

With these improvements introduced with the new visa rules in UAE, the government seeks to improve the attractiveness of family groups. In the same way, the country offers first-class amenities, good infrastructure, and a dynamic lifestyle as well as good education. Consequently, everything a family may need to have a better quality of life.

Additionally, those who are parents, with these new rules, will be able to bring their children to the UAE more easily. Also, they may request sponsorship for their children less than 18 years of age and for men up to 25 years of age. In addition, they can request a special visa so that children who have a disability can travel.

And finally, continued sponsorship for girls who have not married while in the United Arab Emirates.

In conclusion, with the new visa rules in UAE, there will be impacts for both those who visit and for Emirati citizens. However, what is very clear is that they will benefit people who wish to visit, live, or work in the UAE. Also, it contributes to the development of the country, since it attracts qualified labor from different parts of the world.

Additionally, you must stay informed of any changes that occur. In case you need Connect Zone help, you can easily contact us if you want to expand your knowledge.