Getting a visa to visit the UAE for foreigners, regardless of the purpose, was never difficult. However, a little overhauling was sure required. For instance, there was no job-seeker visa available for foreigners willing to come to Dubai or any part of the UAE and look for employment. Plus, individuals had to look for a host or sponsor to apply for the desired visas to the country. Therefore, the Government approved the addition of new visas and entry permits to the visa system, the UAE looks now more appealing than ever to foreigners who are looking to either migrate to their favourite emirate, set up a business there or simply visit the world-famous landmarks of the nation.
The UAE Visa System 2022: What’s New?
Seen as an ideal destination for work, investment, entrepreneurship, education, and life worldwide, the United Arab Emirates welcomes people from the world over by introducing seven Entry Permits as part of its entry and residence system restructuring. With the revamped visa policies, the sky’s the only limit, when it comes to entering the UAE for meaningful objectives! Under the new visa system, the UAE offers visitors a smorgasbord of permits without the need for a host or sponsor. The new visas offer flexible durations that meet the needs of the visitors and their objective behind visiting the country.
7 Entry Permits Under the New Visa System
The United Arab Emirates continues to be one of the most expatriate and tourist-friendly countries by adding new visas and entry permits to its visa system. The below-mentioned table illustrates the key features of the 7 newly-introduced entry permits.
| New Visas/Entry Permits | Highlights | Requirements/Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Entry Visit Visa | 1. Granted to those who are not eligible for visa on-arrival or visa-free entry to the UAE 2. The cost of a single-entry tourist visa will be Dh 850 and Dh 1100 for 60 days and 90 days respectively. Charges will be different for applicants already inside the country 3. A tourist Visa cost for 30 days is AED 350 and for 90 days is AED 750 4. Allows a stay of 60 days. Previously the permitted stay period was 30 days 5. Children below 18 years who are accompanying adults, can get a free visa for their visit from 15 July to 15 September each year 6. All types of visit and tourist visas can be extended for 30 days twice, upon applying for it and after successful approval by the relevant authority. This can be done without the need to leave the country | 1. Can be granted for 30 days or 90 days for single or multiple entries depending on the visitors’ plan 2. Females who are not yet 18 can’t apply for this visa type of visa unless they are travelling with their parents 3. Can be acquired through airlines, agencies and hotels 4. The new rule for an extension does not apply on GCC resident tourists, residents accompanying GCC nationals, visitors on special entry permits and 96-hour permit holders for special missions 5. Foreign visitors can apply for the second renewal before the expiry of the first one against AED 600 for each time of renewal 6. Violators are subject to pay AED 100 fine for each day of their overstay, to be calculated from 10 days post visa expiry |
| Multi-entry Tourist Visa | 1. Issued for five-years 2. No need for a host/sponsor 3. The visa holder can stay for 90 consecutive days in the UAE on each visit 4. The visa holder can stay for 90 consecutive days in the UAE on each visit Can be extended for another 90 days 5. The cost of a 5-years multiple entry visa is AED 1050 | 1. Applicant should have a bank balance of $4,000 (or an equivalent amount in other currency) during the 6 months before the visa application 2. The total stay period should not exceed 180 consecutive days in a year |
| Job Exploration Entry Visa | 1. No requirement for any sponsor or host 2. Eligible applicants must belong to the first or second or third skill level as per the MoHRE 3. Granted to fresh graduates of the best 500 universities in the world 4. A single-entry permit is granted for three durations: 60, 90 and 120 days costing a total of Dh1,495; Dh1,655; and Dh1,815 respectively. The fees include a Dh1,025 refundable security deposit and insurance | 1. The minimum educational level required is Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent 2. Jobseekers can apply for the new entry permit on the ICP website, at customer care centres or an accredited typing centre 3. Indian jobseekers who studied in India only must have an attested degree from either one of the 7 Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) or from the Indian Institute of Science (IIS) 4. Required documents include the applicant’s passport copy, a colour photo and attested qualification certificates. Additional documents may be required in certain cases. |
| Business Entry Visa | 1. A long-term visa for foreigners and their dependents under the UAE Golden Visa system 2. No sponsor or host required 3. A single-entry visa, issued for 60, 90 or 120 days to eligible entrepreneurs 4. Aimed at encouraging investors and entrepreneurs to explore business and investment opportunities in the UAE 5. Allows the visa holder to enter the country for a period of six months with a multiple-entry visa, to facilitate the procedures of establishing the business 6. They can nominate up to three of their business’s senior staff to obtain residency | 1. The applicant must have a business idea or plan to make a difference in the UAE economy 2. They must be intended to relocate to the UAE for business incorporation 3. They must be able to substantiate their experience as an experienced entrepreneur 4. The candidate must have been part of a leadership team or a major shareholder in a start-up 5. Applicants must successfully pass the requirements of the ICP, including a background check and health assessment |
| Entry Permit to Visit Relatives or Friends | 1. Single entry permit granted to those who are visiting their friends and relatives living as a citizen or residents in the UAE 2. It does not require a sponsor or a host 3. Valid for 60 days (2 months) from their date of issuance 4. The duration of the Entry Permit to Visit Relatives/Friends will the same as that of Tourist Visas (14days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days) 5. The overall cost of the UAE Visit visa (including Visa fee, Health Insurance & Typing) is the Application Fee i.e., AED 710 (short-term) and AED 1,800 (long-term) plus Security Deposit I.e., AED 2000 (which will be refunded after the exit of the visitor) | 1. The minimum salary requirement is AED 8000+ and AED 10,000+ respectively for the relative’s sponsor and friend’s sponsor 2. Required documents include the UAE Visa Application Form, coloured copies of the valid Passport and passport-size photo (with white background) of the family member/s being sponsored, Relationship proof from the Embassy (if not mentioned on the passport) and a copy of the flight ticket 3. Sponsor and visitor must be the same gender |
| Entry Permit for Study & Training | 1. Issued to those who are willing to attend training and study courses and/or participate in internship programs 2. The sponsor can be universities or educational or research institutions licenced in the country or government or private entities 3. A collection commission of AED 20 is added per transaction / Commercial Bank of Dubai 4. A collection commission is added: AED 50 for companies and AED 15 for individuals / Emaratech Company | 1. It requires a letter from the entity featuring the details of the study or training or internship programme and its duration 2. The documentation requirement for a UAE study visa includes a Letter of enrolment to study, a copy of the Commercial Licence of the educational facility, an Establishment Card of the educational facility, and a Letter stating that a student has been provided with private accommodation from the educational facility in addition to the copies of applicant student’s passport and passport-size coloured photo with white background |
| Entry Permit for a Temporary Work Mission | 1. This permit is structured for those who have a temporary work assignment like probation testing or a project-based mission 2. The UAE Mission work permit is the 90 days short-term work permit issued to eligible expatriates 3. A Special Mission entry permit serves best for 16 days and is also referred to as Dubai Transit visa 4. Both visa types are sponsored by the employer 5. Can be of two types – Special Mission entry permit & Mission entry permit 6. The duration may or may not be 3 months 7. A Special Mission work permit is issued by the Department of Naturalization and Foreign Affairs for 16 days 8. The UAE Special Mission work visa is a single-entry permit which is non-renewable and non-extendable 9. The visa may cost you between AED 500 – AED 600 + the Security Deposit of AED 3,000 (Refundable) | 1. It requires a temporary work contract or a letter from the employer clarifying the visit’s purpose and proof of health and fitness to work 2. The UAE Mission visa can be applied for at the Ministry of Labour 3. The mission visa application process has to be carried out by the PRO of the hiring company 4. After entering UAE and getting an entry visa stamp on the passport. Employees should submit a copy of the UAE mission visa to the company or employer 5. Employees on a Mission visa must apply for a labour contract and submit it for approval. After approval, they will be issued a labour card as well as a Labour Contract 6. Required documents for Mission visa application include Company’s trade licence copy, Photograph & Passport (original passport for the medical test), Educational certificate, Valid establishment card (company/employer), UAE passport (employer) and E-signature card 7. The employee has to be outside the UAE to apply for a Mission visa 8. If the company wants to apply for a second Mission visa for the employee. Then it can be done only after the employee labour card cancellation. The employee should leave the country for reapplication |
Last but not the least
The applicant must be able to present a valid tenancy contract and utility bill of their sponsor. In case they can’t they might be asked for hotel booking details. Immigration officials might also ask for return tickets as well.
Get in touch with Adam Global for any assistance in obtaining UAE residency through Golden Visa, Green Visa, Investor Visa or any other. Click here to book a free consultancy with our PROs in Dubai or business advisors in Dubai.
