The Latest UAE Visa Amendments Explained

On October 3, 2022 new visa rules were launched in the UAE, which means that getting a long-time permit to stay in Dubai and the whole UAE has just become a lot more accessible to foreigners. New regulations were revealed on April 18, 2022 by the UAE Cabinet, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

As of October, obtaining a 10-year Golden Residence Visa and 5-year Green Residence Visa has become a lot easier for professionals and talented individuals, investors, innovators, outstanding graduates and students, as well as entrepreneurs and startup owners. Due to the new changes, children can be sponsored by holders of Golden & Green Visas until the age of 25, whereas before the maximum possible age was 18. Unmarried daughters can be sponsored without any age limits. Children of determination are given a residence permit without any regard to their age.

The real estate managers of Metropolitan Premium Properties do not assist in obtaining visas except for investor visas. However, we are always ready to provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding the latest modifications and regulations, as well as helping you in choosing a property corresponding to your needs, if you are wishing to move to Dubai.

The Golden Residence Visa programme started in 2019. This type of visa allows foreigners to live in the UAE without any limits, as well as work and study without the need of a local sponsor. Moreover, it allows them to open a business in the country and be its 100% owner.

These new regulations allow more people to apply for a 10-year Golden Visa. For instance, the original holder of the visa can sponsor his/her family members, such as their spouse and children, as well as support any home staff without any limits. In the unfortunate case that he/she dies, family members will be able to stay in the UAE until the end of their visa. Another important change is that now foreigners needn’t worry about losing their Golden Visa status, as the maximum possible duration of stay outside the UAE for a period of six months to keep the visa valid has been removed.

One of the most popular ways to get the 10-year Golden Visa is to become a real estate investor. Being the owner of a ready-to-move property with a cost starting from AED 2M (USD 545K) provides you with an opportunity to obtain a 10-year Golden Visa, which will be prolonged if you continue as the owner of the property.

Among other categories of individuals who have the right to apply for the Golden Visa are scientists and researchers with important achievements in their field, highly skilled professionals, top talents in fields such as culture, art, sports, and digital technology, as well as inventors, innovators, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes.

Graduates from the top-100 universities from across the world, as well as UAE universities and outstanding students of the Emirati secondary schools can also be given a 10-year Golden Visa. Entrepreneurs and startup owners who are a partner or an owner of a startup in the UAE, corresponding to small or medium sized enterprises, which generate a revenue from AED 1M (USD 272K) per year, whose startup idea is approved by an official business incubator or the Ministry of Economy, or who are a founder or a founding partner of a previous project, which was sold from AED 7M (USD 1.9M) can also be given a Golden Visa.

If you are a talented and skilled worker, a freelancer or entrepreneur, you have the chance to apply for a 5-year Green Residence Visa, which will also facilitate the residence of your family. After the permit is cancelled or expired, you will be able to stay in the UAE for six months.

Investors and partners, taking part in commercial activities or establishing them, need to show approval of the investment and proof of investment to get a 5-year Green Visa. In case there is more than one licence, the total investment capital is calculated. Approval by competent local authorities is necessary. Among those who can get a Green Residence Visa, are also skilled employees and freelancers and self-employed individuals.

A 5-year multiple-entry visa is a new addition to the regular 30-day tourist visa which enables foreigners to stay in the country for 90 days, and can be extended for the same period of time. The total number of days in the country should not exceed 180 days a year. A visa is given to those who have proof of USD 4K or its equivalent in another currency in their bank accounts for a period of six months.

Dubai continues attracting foreigners from all over the world. This can be explained by the endless job and business opportunities, the Arabian Gulf with its white sandy beaches, warm climate, entertainment activities and much more. Even though it might be difficult to get Emirati citizenship, foreigners can always get a Golden Visa by purchasing a completed real estate unit in the country.