By overhauling its entrance and residency procedures, the UAE is making progress towards being the best location for employment, entrepreneurship, investment, education, and living. The UAE has enacted new visa regulations that broaden the categories for Golden Visas, add additional categories of entrance visas and resident permits, and more.

Individuals can now extend or revoke their entrance permits using a private online account. Normal visas or green residence visa applications are valid for two months, whereas golden visa applications permit a validity of 6 months with numerous entries. These are the periods for the various permissions.

Entry permits can be extended, revoked, and printed via the digital system. Residents of bordering countries can get a 90-day entrance visa at the met border crossing locations with up to 48 hours of stay per visit and multiple entries. It is not permitted to work in the UAE. Even if a person spends more than 180 days abroad, their residence permits for those with Green & Golden visas and their families remain valid.

Additionally, visitors visiting the UAE on 30 or 60-day visit visa may extend their stay by an additional 30 days. Visitors now have an extra 30 days to take advantage of everything that the nation has to offer thanks to a decision taken by the ICA and the GDRFA. People with a visit visa may extend their stay for a maximum of 120 days.

UAE New Visa Regulations 2023

New Rules for UAE Visa Stamping in 2023

The UAE government replaced the practice of stamping residency visas on passports with the Emirates ID. Passports will not have to be picked for stamping, and UAE nationals may now submit a single, streamlined application to get both their residency visa and Emirates ID, which will speed up the application process.

The price of visas and Emirates ID has been increased by an additional AED 100 smart service fee.

Rules for Entry in 2023

About 10 entrance visas without a sponsor or host requirement have been introduced by the UAE. These visas could be issued for a single entry or several entries, can be renewed for the same term, and will remain valid for 60 days after the date of issuance as per the new visa rules UAE.

Work Exploration Visa 

Without a host or sponsor, the work exploration visa attempts to entice young, qualified people to investigate career prospects in the UAE. The qualifications include having a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, graduating recently from one of the top 500 colleges in the world, and being in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd skill level.

Business Entry Visa 

Entrepreneurs and investors can investigate business and investment prospects in the UAE with a business entrance visa. The visa allows quick entrance procedures without a host or sponsor being necessary.

Multi-entry Tourist Visa 

The introduction of a new five-year multiple-entry tourist visa permit self-sponsored stays for up to 90 days each entry, extendable for about an additional 90 days. A USD 4,000 bank balance over the last six months must be shown by applicants. Through the Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing portal Dubai, you may apply for a visa. Along with the multiple-entry visa, the UAE has started issuing 60-day (2 months) tourist visas once again.

Family Visa 

Henceforth parents can sponsor male children till 25 years, as well as handicapped children with a special authorization, under the UAE’s family visa provision. Daughters who are single can be sponsored permanently.

Permission to Visit Family and Friends

To visit friends and family in the UAE, visitors can now apply for an entrance permission. No host or sponsor is necessary.

Entry Authorization for a Transient Work Assignment

If sponsored by their business, visitors with a temporary work assignment—such as probation tests or project-based missions—can apply for the temporary work mission entry permit. Applicants may also be relatives or acquaintances of UAE residents or nationals. A temporary employment contract or the employer’s letters stating the reason for the visit, as well as documentation of one’s physical and mental competence for the job, are prerequisites.

Entry Authorization for Training and Study

Those enrolling in training programs, academic courses, or internships are the target audience for the admission permission for study and training. Universities with appropriate accreditation, academic or research institutes, or public or commercial organizations may sponsor this kind of authorization. A sponsor’s letter describing the specifics and length of the program is one of the prerequisites.

Permission to Live there in Humanitarian Circumstances

In the following humanitarian situations, the UAE will grant resident permits:

• Women who live in the country whose husband was a UAE citizenship and who have at least one kid who is either a parent or a child of a UAE citizen with a foreign passport
• GCC state citizens with wives and children who have foreign passports

UAE and Dubai Re-Entry Permit 

Agents at the Dubai Travel & Typing Centre have verified that anyone with residence visas who have been away from the UAE for above six months are eligible to request for re-entry permission. Within 30 days after acceptance, this permit enables residents to return to the UAE without risking the termination of their residency. Residents must give a justification for their presence outside the nation and present documentation to be eligible. For other Emirates besides Dubai, the permission may be sought for via the ICP website. Visas issued by Dubai must follow a somewhat different procedure.

Extension of UAE Entry Permit 

Depending on the reason for the visit & other considerations, entrance permits to the UAE may be renewed for up to 90 days. Candidates must apply through the appropriate tourist organization and hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. By registering an account and paying costs through ICP smart service system, entry permit extensions can be acquired within 48 hours.

GCC citizens can obtain a 30-day extension twice for AED 610 by paying AED 260 & supplying a copy of their passport. For admission permits for GCC companions and for students, extensions may last more than one month. Medical permits can be renewed for AED 510 for up to 90 days, GCC companion permits for AED 260 for up to 60 days, and study permits for AED 610 for up to 90 days.

Depending on the reason for the visit, visit entrance permits can last up to a year, but the authority has the final say. Upon clearance of all payments, the authority’s head may renew visitation entrance permits for good cause.

2023 New Rules for UAE Visit Visa

New Rules for UAE Travel Visa Extensions in 2023

For visitors on 90-day visit visas, the UAE has instituted a 30-day one-time visa extension, allowing for a maximum extension of 90 days. Visitors with valid visas must now depart the United Arab Emirates and reapply for the extension. The COVID-19 visit visa extension standards that had been more laxly enforced have been reversed, & applications from the nation are now being turned down, restoring to the pre-pandemic norms. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security has not yet given its official approval of the new visa extension regulations.

New Rules for UAE Visitor Overstays in 2023

An out pass or exit permission must be obtained before departing the UAE by foreign nationals who have overstayed their visa. For between AED 200 and AED 300, the out pass can be purchased at land borders, at the airport or the Al Awir Immigration office. With 10 days of grace period for holders of visit visas, overstayers must additionally pay the full AED 50 per day overstay charges. Visitors who are unable to depart because an airport is closed or a flight is cancelled will not be fined.

2023 New Price Rules for UAE Visit Visa

The cost of Dubai and UAE visas, including the 30- and 60-day tourist visas, has increased by AED 100, according to an ICP customer service representative. For instance, the cost of an ICA-issued one-month visit visa has gone up from AED 270 up to AED 370.

UAE New Rules for Unused Visit Visas 2023

Travelers in the UAE with unused visit visas must pay a charge and terminate the visa within the allotted time frame, in this case, 30 days for the 30-day visit visa. Cancelling the unused visa might cost anything from AED 100 to AED 300. Alternately, visitors can choose to pay AED 200 to prolong their stay in the nation by two months. To prevent the immigration system from rejecting fresh visa applications, it is crucial to terminate the unused visa as per the new visit visa rules in UAE.

2023 Golden Visa Rules

UAE broadens the categories for Golden Visas, makes it easier to qualify, and extends the 10-year validity period to all sorts. Visa holders are permitted to sponsor as many family members & support service workers as they like. For holders of Golden Visas and their families, the grace period before a visa expires or is cancelled is increased to six months. Potential applicants can check their eligibility within just two minutes with an online questionnaire.

Scientists

Scientists and researchers will now be eligible for the Golden Visa if they fulfill the requirements listed below:

• Have a nomination from Emirates Scientists Council and have a PhD or Master’s degree in engineering, technology, biological sciences, or natural sciences from one of the top institutions in the world.

Professional Experts

Professionals with skills may be eligible for the Golden Visa program given that:

• They have a legitimate job contract in the UAE.
• The position must fit into Ministry of Human Resources Emiratisation’s occupational level one or two.
• The minimum wage per month is AED 30,000.
• The skilled worker should additionally possess a bachelor’s degree.

Please take notice that trained professionals are entitled to a longer grace period of six months if they are categorized in the first or second occupational level under Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratization classification.

Exceptional Talents

Exceptionally gifted people can now apply for the Golden Visa in a variety of professions, including art, digital technology, culture,  sports, medicine, innovation, and law. The 10-year visa indeed is granted entirely on the basis of merit; credentials, pay, or standing in the workforce are not taken into account. However, eligibility calls on endorsement from a government body.

Real Estate Investors

The real estate investors can obtain the Golden Visa by buying a property worth about AED 2 million either with a loan from certain local banks or by acquiring off-plan homes from recognized local real estate firms for at least AED 2 million. For visa expiration or cancellation, property owners now enjoy a grace period of six months during which no penalties will be assessed.

Entrepreneurs

If a startup investor’s firm is registered in the UAE as a SME and has annual revenues of about AED 1 million or more, they may qualify for the Golden Visa. If an entrepreneur satisfies one of the following requirements, they may also qualify for the Golden Residence:

• being the creator or co-founder of an earlier business venture that was sold for a sum of at least AED 7 million or
• having their initiatives or ideas approved by the Ministry of Economy or other appropriate local authorities.

Students

Outstanding graduates from secondary schools or universities in the UAE, as well as those who attended one of the top 100 universities in the world, are eligible to apply for the 10-year/Golden Visa. Academic achievement, graduation year, and institution ranking all go towards eligibility. Students who have finished their coursework are eligible for a longer grace period of six months.

Humanitarian Pioneers

Humanitarian pioneers can apply for the Golden Visa, including:

• Eminent members of regional and international organizations
• Prominent participants in public benefit organizations and holders of the recognition awards in the humanitarian sphere
• Prominent donors & volunteers that support humanitarian causes

Doctors and Nurses

In appreciation for their work during the COVID-19 epidemic, the UAE has awarded physicians and nurses long-term residence. Nurses and other medical personnel are now qualified for Golden Visa. The establishment of seven centers for visa applications has been made.

Cultural

Artists, performers, dancers, singers, musicians, and curators who are 25 years of age or older may apply for a Cultural Golden Visa. There are no limitations based on professional level, pay, work status, or education. The MCY must provide a letter of reference, and candidates must be physically present in the nation when applying.

Executive Directors

Executive directors must have the following qualifications in order to be considered for this category: a minimum of a bachelor’s degree recognized by the Ministry of Education; five years of experience in the same role; a salary certificate showing a minimum of about AED 50,000; and a current employment contract.

New Perks for Family Members

Holders of Golden Visas may sponsor their parents henceforth for 10-year residency with no deposit necessary provided they can provide proof of their status as the parent’s primary caregiver. The scheme also permits a five-year stay for first-degree relatives and simpler sponsorship of wives and children.

Green Residence 2023

In order to draw talented workers, independent contractors, investors, and business owners, now the UAE Green Visa provides 5-year residence alternatives. Benefits have been improved, and lengthier grace periods till 6 months have been included for supporting family members following permit revocation or expiration. Holders of the Green Residence may sponsor first-degree relatives whose residence terms coincide with their own.

Skilled Personnel

Skilled workers without a sponsor or employer now have a 5-year residence option thanks to recent changes to Green Residence visa. The conditions are:

• According to the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratization, candidates must be in the first, second, or third occupational level
• Hold a current job contract
• A bachelor’s degree is the minimum need for education, or the applicant’s salary must be at least AED 15,000

Please be aware that when the Green residency expires, experienced professionals are entitled for a 90-day extended grace period.

Self-Employment and Freelancing

With the introduction of Green Residence visa in the UAE, independent contractors and other self-employed people now have access to 5-year residency tenure. The purpose of this effort is to support the expanding worldwide freelance market and flexible work arrangements. The following are the particular requirements:

• Acquiring a freelance/self-employment authorization from Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratization
• A bachelor’s degree or specialized certificate as the minimum educational requirement.
• An annual self-employment income of AED 360,000 for the last two years, or the applicant must be able to demonstrate their financial stability throughout their stay within the nation.

Partner or Investor

The Green Residence visa especially for partners or investors, which offers a 5-year residency tenure for persons starting or taking part in business activity, was developed by the UAE to promote investment. This category’s validity term has been extended from two to five years.

The following is a list of the requirements:

• Confirmation of the investment & evidence of the investment
• The total invested money will be determined if the partner/investor has several licenses
• It is necessary to obtain the proper municipal authorities’ consent

Three-year Work Permit for the UAE

To lessen financial obligations, the Federal National Council (FNC) of the UAE has authorized extending the work permit from two to three years. The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratization issuing the permits, which are currently good for two years. Working without a current permission is not permitted at all.

Children of Emirati Mothers are Eligible for Five-year Residence Permits

For children of foreign nationals and Emirati women, the UAE government in fact has increased the residency visa’s duration from three to five years. With this ruling, their rights will be strengthened and they will receive equal advantages from healthcare and education, finally leading to an improvement in their quality of life.

Bottom Line

These are a few of the updated visa & visit visa rules that the UAE implemented in 2023. The modifications are part of a strategy to modernize the services system at par with new developments. All groups, including citizens, residents, and tourists, are affected by the modifications, which are intended to deliver high-quality services.