This article has been reviewed by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.
Updated April 2024
The UAE continues its stride in becoming the ideal destination for work, investment, entrepreneurship, education, and life by introducing a restructuring of its entry and residence system. The UAE has implemented new visa rules that introduce new types of entry visas and residence permits, expand the Golden Visa categories and more.
Table of Contents
UAE visa latest news
- The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) of the United Arab Emirates has announced a significant update to the Golden Visa program, extending eligibility to distinguished volunteers.
- Indian citizens now have the option to avail a pre-approved visa-on-arrival to Dubai for a 14-day stay when they book tickets with Emirates Airlines. This option is not available to all Indians, but eligible Indian passport holders can take advantage of this facility and expedite their immigration process upon arrival in Dubai.
- the UAE government has recently introduced a platform called the Work Bundle, designed to streamline the issuance of work permits and residency visas. This initiative aims to alleviate the complexity of government procedures, ultimately simplifying the entire process and significantly reducing the processing time from 30 days to just 5 days. To delve deeper into the features and benefits of the Work Bundle platform, explore our dedicated article on this topic.
New UAE entry visa rules 2024
The UAE has launched about ten entry visas without a host or sponsor requirement. These visas have flexible durations and can be for single or multiple entries, renewed for the same period and are valid for 60 days from the issuance date.
Book cheap flights to UAE now
Entry permit for a temporary work mission
Visitors with a temporary work assignment, such as probation testing or project-based missions, can apply for a temporary work mission entry permit if sponsored by their employer. Relatives or friends of UAE citizens or residents can also apply. Requirements include a temporary work contract or a letter from the employer outlining the purpose of the visit and proof of health and fitness to work.
Residence permit for humanitarian cases
The UAE will issue residence permits for the following humanitarian cases:
- female residents whose UAE national husband passed away in the country and have one or more children
- parents or children of a UAE citizen holding foreign passports
- spouses and children of Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) state citizens holding foreign passports
Dubai & UAE re-entry permit
Dubai travel and typing center agents have confirmed that residency visa holders staying outside the UAE for more than six months can apply for a reentry permit. This permit allows residents to reenter the UAE within 30 days of approval and avoid having their residency canceled. To be eligible, residents must provide a reason for staying outside the country and furnish proof. The permit can be applied for through the ICP official website for all Emirates except Dubai. Dubai-issued visas will have to go through a slightly different process.
You can visit our dedicated article below for more details.
UAE entry permit extension
UAE entry permits can be extended for up to 90 days, depending on the purpose of the visit and other factors. Applicants must have a valid passport for at least six months and apply through the relevant tourism company. Entry permit extensions can be obtained within 48 hours through the ICP smart service system by creating an account and paying fees.
A 30-day extension can be issued twice for AED 610, with GCC residents paying AED 260 and providing a passport copy. Extensions can exceed one month for healthcare, study, and GCC companion entry permits. Healthcare permits can be extended up to 90 days for AED 510, GCC companion permits up to 60 days for AED 260, and study permits up to 90 days for AED 610.
The duration of visit entry permits depends on the purpose of the visit, with a maximum limit of one year at the authority’s discretion. The head of the authority may extend visit entry permits for valid reasons upon payment of all fees.
UAE visit visa rules
UAE visit visa extension
The UAE has implemented a one-time 30-day visa extension for travellers on 90-day visit visas, allowing for a total extension of up to 90 days. Moreover, all types of tourist visas can now be extended for 30 more days from within the country. The fee for each extension is AED 600 (USD 163).
Visa holders do not need to leave and re-enter the country to extend their visas, but they must ensure that the renewal process can be completed before expiry. They can also contact their visa-issuing agent for an extension.
Furthermore, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security UAE (ICP) has confirmed that individuals can now extend or terminate their entry permits through a personal online account. The durations for different permits are as follows: normal visas or green residency visa applications are valid for 2 months, while Golden visa applications allow for a validity of 6 months with multiple entries.
The digital system allows for extending, cancelling, and printing entry permits. Residents of neighboring border countries can obtain a 90-day entry visa at UAE border points with multiple entries and up to 48 hours per stay. Working in the UAE is prohibited. Green and golden visa holders and their families’ residence visas remain valid even if they stay outside the country for over 180 days.
UAE unused visit visa
Travellers holding unused visit visas in the UAE must cancel the visa within the specified time period, such as 30 days for a 30-day visit visa, by paying a fee. The cost of canceling an unused visa can vary, reaching up to AED 300. Alternatively, travellers have the option to extend their entry into the country by two months for a fee of AED 200. It is important to cancel the unused visa to avoid the rejection of new visa applications by the immigration system.
UAE residence visa rules 2024
The Work Bundle platform, recently launched by the UAE government, seeks to streamline the issuance of work permits and residency visas. The initiative aims to reduce the complexity of government procedures and simplify the entire process, resulting in a noteworthy reduction in processing time from 30 days to a mere 5 days. For a more in-depth exploration of the features and advantages offered by the Work Bundle platform, we encourage you to check out our dedicated article on this subject.
Green Residence
The UAE Green visa now offers 5-year residence options to attract skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. Benefits have been enhanced, including longer grace periods of up to 6 months after permit cancellation or expiration to support family members. Green Residence holders can sponsor first-degree relatives with a residency duration matching their own.
Skilled employees
The recent updates to the Green Residence visa provide a 5-year residency option for skilled employees who do not have a sponsor or employer. The requirements are:
- applicants should have a valid employment contract
- should be classified in the first, second or third occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- the minimum educational level must be a bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent
- applicant’s salary should not be less than AED 15,000 (USD 4,083).
Please note that skilled professionals (third level in the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation classification) are eligible for a 90-day extended grace period after the expiry of the Green residence.
Freelancing and self-employment
The UAE has launched the Green Residence visa, providing freelancers and self-employed individuals with a 5-year residency period, independent of sponsorship or an employer. This initiative aims to accommodate the growing global freelancing industry and flexible work models. The specific requirements are as follows:
- obtaining a freelance/ self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- a minimum educational qualification with a bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma.
- an annual income from self-employment for the previous two years of AED 360,000 (USD 9,800), or
- the applicant should be able to prove their financial solvency throughout their stay in the country.
Investor or partner
To encourage investment, the UAE has introduced the Green Residence visa for investors or partners, providing a 5-year residency period for those establishing or participating in commercial activities. The validity period under this category has been increased from 2 years to 5 years.
The requirements include the following:
- approval of the investment and proof of investment.
- if the investor (partner) has more than one license, the total invested capital will be calculated.
- approval of the competent local authorities is mandatory.
Three-year UAE work permit
The UAE’s Federal National Council (FNC) has approved extending work permits from two years to three, aiming to ease financial burdens. The permits, issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, are currently valid for two years. Working without a valid permit is strictly prohibited.
20% work permit quota
UAE companies applying for new work permits are receiving alerts from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) system, encouraging them to hire workers from different nationalities. The notification urges diversity in the workforce, specifying that the first 20% of the available work permit quota should be allocated to individuals from different nationalities. This initiative aims to enhance cultural and demographic diversity within establishments and is not linked to a specific nationality. Failure to comply may result in a downgrade of the company’s classification from Category 2 to Category 3, impacting work permit costs.
