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The United Arab Emirates is earnestly focused on attracting as many talented minds and qualified specialists from abroad as possible.
In April 2022, the Cabinet of the UAE approved a new entry and residence scheme for foreign nationals.
Let’s discuss the key aspects of migration policy innovations and the options that are now available to foreigners moving to the UAE.
Content:
- Conditions for obtaining the golden visa
- Requirements for obtaining the golden visa
- Who else is eligible for the “golden” residency?
- Green visas for professionals
- Who is eligible for green visas?
- Types of entry visas
- Job seeker visa
- Business visa
- Multiple-entry tourist visa
- Visiting loved ones
- Temporary work permit
- Entry for education or vocational training
- Profitable investment in Dubai real estate!
Conditions for obtaining the golden visa
The Golden Visa is an analogue of a residence permit, allowing foreigners to reside in the country for an extended period. Outstanding personalities, talented specialists in various fields, scientists, and investors can receive it.
Key features of the Golden Visa include:
- A long-term renewable visa is valid for 5 or 10 years.
- The minimum price threshold for property in Dubai or another emirate is AED 2 million ($544,500).
- Real estate can be purchased through a mortgage, but the minimum required amount must be paid from personal funds.
- Investment is possible not only in completed properties but also in off-plan apartments in development projects in Dubai.
- No sponsor is required.
- You can stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months and retain residency.
- You can sponsor family members, including spouses and children of any age.
- You can sponsor an unlimited number of domestic staff.
- Family members can remain in the UAE until the expiration of their permit in case of the primary visa holder’s death.
Note: A 2-year visa for real estate investments is still relevant. To obtain it, the cost of the housing unit in Dubai must be at least AED 750,000 ($204,000). This visa can be extended many times while the applicant owns this property.
Requirements for obtaining the golden visa
The requirements for obtaining the Golden Visa vary depending on the grounds for application, whether it be investments, exceptional talent, entrepreneurship, etc.
Visa for economic investments
Investors in UAE investment funds can be granted a 10-year Golden Visa if the following conditions are met:
- Providing a letter from a UAE-accredited investment fund stating that the investor has a deposit of AED 2 million ($544,500), or providing a valid commercial licence or industrial licence and a memorandum of association indicating the investor’s capital of at least AED 2 million;
- Providing a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor pays the state at least AED 250,000 ($68,000) annually.
In addition, it is required to:
- Fully own the investment capital;
- Not use credit funds;
- Have medical insurance for the investor and their family (if applicable).
Real estate investments
If you own one or more real estate properties totalling at least AED 2 million, you can apply for a 5-year residence visa. To do this, you need to provide the relevant statement from the Land Department. Real estate purchase can be made using a mortgage from banks approved by the competent local authority. However, the base amount of AED 2 million must be paid by the investor.
Entrepreneurship
If you are an entrepreneur with an economic project related to future technologies and innovations, you can obtain a 5-year Golden Visa.
Requirements for this include:
- A project worth at least AED 500,000 ($136,000) with confirmation from an auditor;
- Written confirmation from the emirate authorities that the project meets the stated requirements;
- A letter from an accredited business incubator in the UAE for organising the proposed activities in the country.
Who else is eligible for the “golden” residency?
If you possess exceptional talent, there is a chance to obtain a 10-year visa. The key requirements for each specific category of individuals are detailed below.
Scientists
Doctors, researchers, and scientists can also qualify for a 10-year residence visa. The conditions include:
- A copy of the bachelor’s or master’s degree, attested by the Ministry of Education, and an employment contract (for science and technology specialists);
- An approval letter from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention to practise medicine (for doctors);
- A written recommendation from the UAE Council of Scientists or the Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal stating that the applicant has been awarded the Medal for Scientific Distinguishment (for scientists);
- A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy stating that the applicant’s patent has contributed to the country’s economic development (for inventors).
Outstanding talents
Outstanding people of exceptional talent, as well as talented individuals in the field of art, culture, IT technologies, sports, and other valuable fields can receive a residence visa. The condition is approval or recommendation from the relevant authority – the Ministry of Culture and Youth, the Ministry of Education, the General Authority of Sports, etc.
Note: Citizens applying for residency status on the grounds of outstanding talent are not subject to the conditions on the mandatory salary level, compulsory education, and qualifications.
High school and university students
High school and university students with outstanding academic performance enrolled in educational institutions in the UAE or one of the top 100 universities globally can become Golden Visa holders.
Conditions for high school students:
- National-level toppers and students of public or private schools with a score not lower than 95%;
- A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education;
- The duration of the Golden Visa will be 5 years.
Conditions for university students:
- Outstanding students from a university rated either A or B by the Ministry of Education or a foreign university rated among the world’s top 100 universities;
- A recommendation letter from the university;
- An academic record stating a cumulative GPA not lower than 3.5 for an A-rated university or foreign university in the top 100 and 3.8 for a B-rated university;
- No more than 2 years have passed since graduation from high school.
If these conditions are met, a student can apply for a long-term residence visa valid for 10 years.
Executive directors
To obtain residency, the following are required:
- A copy of the university diploma accredited by the Ministry of Education with a degree not lower than a bachelor’s;
- A letter of experience of at least 5 years in a similar position;
- A salary certificate with a salary of not less than AED 50,000 ($13,500);
- A valid employment contract.
Green visas for professionals
Freelancers, entrepreneurs, and investors can also obtain residency. Specifically for these individuals, the government introduced Green Visas with a duration of 5 years.
Who is eligible for green visas?
Freelancers
The Green Visa allows freelancers to work in the country without the need for a sponsor or employer.
The conditions are as follows:
- Freelance permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE);
- Proof of a bachelor’s degree or a specialised diploma;
- Income for the previous year should be at least AED 360,000 ($98,000).
Entrepreneurs and investors
Apart from the self-employed, entrepreneurs and investors can also become Green Visa holders.
The conditions are as follows:
- Investment approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP);
- Proof of the investment;
- Approval of the competent local authorities.
Skilled employees
Skilled employees can also apply for a 5-year Green Visa without the need for a sponsor.
Conditions:
- Valid employment contract;
- 1st, 2nd, or 3rd occupational level as per the official MoHRE classification;
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
- Monthly salary of at least AED 15,000 ($4,100).
Types of entry visas
The UAE government has introduced several new visas to expand the opportunities for overseas citizens to enter and stay in the country. Their main advantages include the ability to extend an entry visa for the same period in the country. The visa is valid for 60 days from the date of obtaining it.
Job seeker visa
This visa aims to attract young professionals to work in the UAE. To get it, applicants do not need to look for a sponsor or a host.
Who can get a job seeker visa?
- Professionals of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd skill level;
- Applicants with a degree not lower than a bachelor’s.
Business visa
The aim is to encourage investors interested in exploring the investment and business opportunities of the UAE.
Multiple-entry tourist visa
This type of visa is an addition to the standard tourist visa. It does not require a sponsor and allows the holder to stay in the UAE for 90 days. The visa can be extended for a similar period. The validity period is 5 years.
The conditions are as follows:
- Stay in the country no more than 180 days a year;
- A bank balance of at least $4,000 for 6 months before applying.
Visiting loved ones
Any citizen who has relatives or friends in the UAE can apply for this visa. A sponsor is not required.
Temporary work permit
This type of entry permit is for those who participate in a temporary project or are on probation. This visa is sponsored by the employer.
To get it, you must provide a temporary employment contract or a cover letter from the employer explaining the purpose of your arrival in the country, along with a medical certificate.
Entry for education or vocational training
This visa permit is intended for those who are interning or taking training courses in the UAE. In this case, the sponsor is a university or a public or private educational organisation.
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