The new 5-year Green Visa system in the UAE will come into effect next month, on October 3, 2022, according to the Federal Authority for Identity Citizenship Customs and Ports Security (ICP).
Salary workers, independent contractors, and investors or partners in businesses will be able to obtain visas without a sponsor for a period of five years. First-degree relatives may also be sponsored by Green Visa holders. In the UAE labor market, this method gives the individual more freedom and flexibility.
The ICP detailed the new visa system in the UAE that was earlier unveiled during a press conference in Abu Dhabi.
What is the updated visa system?
On October 3, the new executive rules for foreigners’ entry and residence in the UAE will come into effect.
The new regulation includes an updated visa system that supports the process of sustainable development and the policy of economic diversification by drawing in qualified workers, scientific expertise, experienced people, creative people, and skilled specialists, which raises the level of productivity and boosts the economy’s competitiveness.
The new visa system is distinguished by the variety of residency types and the addition of new ones to suit all categories of investors, entrepreneurs, gifted scientists and specialists, early students, graduates, pioneers of humanitarian work, the first line of defense, and skilled labor in all fields, in addition to easing burdens and streamlining procedures, adding new benefits for residency holders, and separating residency from the employer, which separates residency from the employer.
The Green Visa, Jobseeker Visa, and additional perks for Golden Visa holders are now part of the reformed visa system.
Five-year Green Visa
It will come into effect from October 3. The Green visa, which is granted for a period of five years, subject to renewal, and includes greater advantages for family members of residents, including flexible grace periods of up to six months after expiration or cancellation of residence, is the most notable component of the new executive regulation for the entry and residence of foreigners, which will go into effect on October 3.
The three categories of Green Visa are:
- the green residency for the skilled worker;
- the green residency for self-employment;
- the green residency, which replaces the investor’s prior two-year residency and is granted to an investor or partner in commercial activity for a period of five years with the possibility of renewal. With more perks and less complicated rules, as well as allowing individuals with green residency to bring in first-degree relatives.
Jobseeker Visa
A visa for job searchers is an additional category of visa that was announced as part of the updated visa system. You are able to visit the UAE to look into the job, investment, and business opportunities without requiring a sponsor or host. In essence, it is a modernized entry permission system.
According to the terms outlined in the new executive regulations, a visa has been created to investigate employment prospects and another to investigate business and investment opportunities to draw investors.
ICP also unveiled the new UAE passport for Emiratis during the press conference. The new generation document is printed using a laser on polycarbonate rather than paper, making it more secure and difficult to destroy, rip, or forge. It also prints more quickly.
The new Emirati passport will signal the ICP’s transition to a decentralized system of governance. The number of printing facilities for the new passport has increased from the previous two to seven around the country, making the process quicker and simpler.