The latest UAE visa amendments explained

On 3rd October 2022, new amendments to the UAE visa system came into force regarding the Golden Visa, Green Visa, a job visa and more. The executive regulations were revealed back in April by the UAE Cabinet, widening the eligibility criteria to apply for long-term visas, which are granted to scientists, outstanding students and graduates, startup owners, exceptional talents, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes.

NBD! Our real estate agency Metropolitan Premium Properties does not provide any type of visas, but will gladly provide assistance and detailed information regarding long-term residency schemes when purchasing residential real estate in the UAE.

Below is a detailed review of everything you need to be aware of for the new visa types and respective regulations.

In order to obtain a 10-year Golden Visa, you will need to invest a minimum of AED 2M (USD 545K) in completed property, which can also be mortgaged from select local banks. If you owned a completed property worth AED 2M before the amendments became effective, you can now easily apply for a Golden Residence Visa.

The latest rules enable the Golden Visa holder to sponsor not only their spouse and children regardless of their age, but also domestic staff without any limitations to their number. Previously, the age of sons to be sponsored was limited to 18. Family members are also allowed to stay in the UAE in the case of the death of the original Golden Residence holder until the expiration of their permit duration. Previously, family members had to leave the UAE once the visa holder passed away. You will be able to stay for over 6 months outside the UAE and your visa will still stay valid, as opposed to the previously assigned grace period of 180 days.

The new 5-year Green Residence visa aims to promote flexibility of the employment market and foster a sense of stability among UAE residents and families. That being said, individuals eligible for this visa type include skilled professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, freelancers and exceptional talents, which can apply without a sponsor or an employer. Under this visa scheme, grace periods will extend up to half a year to stay in the UAE after the residence permit is cancelled or expired.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for a Green Visa are as follows:

1. Investors or partners have to provide an approval and proof of their investment. If the applicant has more than 1 license, the total investment capital will be counted. This visa is for those participating in commercial activities and replaces the previous residence valid for only 2 years.
2. Freelancers and self-employed individuals have to obtain a freelance/self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. As for the other requirements, these encompass a bachelor’s degree or a specialized diploma, while the annual income from the past 2 years should be at least AED 360K (USD 98K). Otherwise, the applicant must prove their financial solvency throughout their stay in the country. Another type of a freelance visa available is an employment visa, which is valid for 3 years in Dubai.

Green visa holders are allowed to sponsor their spouses and unmarried daughters for an unlimited period of time, while sons have an age limit of 25.