Exploring the latest UAE Visa Rules in 2024

The UAE has continuously been putting efforts into becoming the ideal destination for various aspects of life, including work, investment, entrepreneurship, and education. In pursuit of this goal, they have introduced and restructured the entry and residency systems. According to the latest UAE visa rules, new types of residency permits and entry visas have been introduced, along with the expansion of Golden Visa categories and more. Let's explore the latest UAE visa rules in 2024.

New UAE Entry Visa Rules 2024

The UAE has launched ten new entry visas that can get you into the country without sponsorship or a host. These visas can be used for single or multiple entries and have flexible durations. They can be renewed for the same time period and are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

Entry Permit for A Temporary Work Mission

If you want to visit the UAE for temporary work or assignments such as probation testing or project-based missions, you can apply for a temporary work mission entry permit, which must be sponsored by your employer. You can also apply for this visa if your friends or relatives have UAE residency or citizenship. The requirements of this visa include the following things.

• Temporary work contract
• A letter from the employer outlining the purpose of the visit 
• Proof of health and fitness to work.

UAE Re-entry Permit

According to the new rule, residency visa holders who are staying outside the country for more than six months can apply for a re-entry permit. It will allow them to re-enter the country within 30 days after the approval so that they can save their UAE residency from being cancelled. 

To be eligible for this permit, the applicant must provide a reason for staying outside the country with solid proof. The resident can apply for this permit through the official website of ICP for all the cities of the UAE except Dubai. The re-entry process for Dubai-issued visas is slightly different.  For Dubai, the applicant must apply only after 180 days of staying outside the country and must enter within 30 days starting from the approval date.

UAE Entry Permit Extension

The entry permits of the UAE can be extended for up to 90 days, which depends on the purpose of the visit and some other factors. The applicants must have valid passports for at least six months and have applied through a registered travelling agency. You can get the entry permit extension within 48 hours by applying through the ICP smart service system, creating an account on the website, and paying the fees. 

The fee for the 30-day extension is AED 610, and it can be issued for two times. The GCC residents only have to pay AED 260 by providing a copy of their passport. The extension can be extended for several reasons, such as healthcare, study, or GCC companion entry permits. Study permits can be extended up to 90 days for AED 610, GCC companion permits up to 60 days for AED 260, and healthcare permits can exceed up to 90 days for AED 510.

The duration of the visit visa extension depends on the purpose of the visit, and the maximum limit is one year at the authority’s discretion. After paying  the fees, it is up to the head of the authority to extend the visa entry permit depending on the reasons. 

UAE Residence Visa Rules 2024

The UAE government has recently launched a platform called “The Work Bundle” to streamline the issuance of residency visas and work permits. The reason for this initiative is to reduce the complexity and simplify the whole visa process. As a result, the processing time of visa issuance has been reduced from 30 days to just 5 days.

Green Residence Visa

The Green Residence Visa in UAE now offers 5 years of residence to attract foreign skilled professionals, investors, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. The visa has been enhanced with more perks, including longer grace periods of up to 6 months after permit expiration or cancellation to support family members. Green Residence Visa holders can now sponsor first-degree relatives with a residence permit of the same duration as their own.

Skilled Employees

With the recent updates to the Green Residence Visa, the residency visa for skilled individuals who do not have a sponsor or employer has increased for 5 years. However, the following requirements must be met. 

• The applicant should have a valid employment contract.
• According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, they should be classified at the first, second, or third occupational level.
• The applicant must have a bachelor’s or equivalent education.
• The minimum salary of the applicant cannot be less than  AED 15,000.

Keep in mind that skilled individuals classified at the third level by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation are eligible for a 90-day extended grace period after the expiration of the Green Residence Visa.

Freelancing & Self-employment

With the introduction of the Green Visa, freelancers and self-employed individuals can also stay in the country for 5 years without sponsorship or an employer. This step is taken to accommodate the globally growing industry of freelancing, flexible, and remote work models. The requirements to get a Green Residence Visa as a freelancer or self-employed person are given below.

• Apply for a freelance/ self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
• The minimum educational qualification is a bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma.
• The annual income from self-employment for the previous two years must be more than AED 360,000.
• The applicant must be able to fulfil their financial obligations throughout their stay in the country.

Investor or Partner

The UAE government has also  included investors or partners to the Green Residence Visa list to promote foreign investment in the country. They now offer 5-year residency visas to investors seeking to establish businesses and engage in commercial activities in the UAE. Recent changes to visa regulations have extended the validity of this visa category from 2 years to 5 years. The following requirements must be fulfilled to obtain the Green Residence Visa as an investor or partner:

• Approval of the investment and proof of investment.
• The total invested capital will be calculated if the investor (partner) has more than one licence.
• Approval of the competent local authorities is mandatory.

With the addition of the new rules, the UAE visa process has become much faster and more straightforward in recent years. This guide about the latest UAE Visa Rules in 2024 will help you navigate the key steps and requirements to visit, reside, and work legally in the UAE.