For people who are not citizens of the UAE, but who work and live there, visa rules and regulations are significant. Recently, sweeping changes in the UAE’s visa policy have been announced. Even if you are someone who plans to visit the UAE do a shorter or longer duration, these changes are likely to be important. Here is what has changed and how it will affect you:
According to Sultan Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy, the recent changes are aimed at bolstering innovation and creativity that will help to create a sustainable and progressive environment for younger people to compete more effectively on a global scale. The visa changes are one part of a larger initiative that would help to attract talent as well as investment.
Highly trained professionals and specialists as well as their families may now be granted visas of up to ten years. Foreign investors or entrepreneurs establishing new ventures in the UAE will also have the advantage of these longer duration visas.
The changes aim to create partnerships, foster best practices and initiate effective technology transfer in fields such as engineering, science and more. For instance, long term visas will be granted for ten years to doctors, which will help to attract specialist talent in the medical field. According to consultant cardiologist Dr Sanjay Rajdev, this will stabilise the system in general when medical professionals are assured of being able to live and work in the country for several years.
The visa changes have an eye on the changing global scenario and are meant to keep pace with a changing global landscape that places less reliance on oil and gas sector revenues and more emphasis on a knowledge based economy. For the same reason, there is also a push towards fostering young homegrown Emirati talent as well.
One aspect of the new changes seems to be a matter of great concern for those from other countries currently living and working in the UAE – whether the ten year visas will be work visas or residency visas. This is significant since many of those who live and work in the UAE depend upon their employer not only for working but also living in the country. An economic downturn or the loss of employment for any other reason would result in the loss of both; one's job and permission to live in the country. As of now, the cabinet has announced that the new ten year visas granted to medical professionals, engineers and scientists will be residency visas and not merely work permits. If so, this is being seen as a game changer, since professionals working in the UAE will be able to do so independently of their employers and the ten year visa will function in much the same way as the USA Green Card.
The changes will also benefit students who can enjoy an extension in their residency even after completion of their studies. This will apply to male students till the age of 18 and to female students until the time that they marry.
The sweeping changes also permit non UAE citizens to own 100% of their businesses and operate them as they wish within demarcated free zones. ‘Exceptional’ students will also be permitted to stay on under the longer term visas, which will also benefit Indian students. Since Indians are the biggest expat community in the UAE (about 28 lakh Indians live and work in the UAE), this will be very significant. This is highly significant at a time when many countries such as the United States are becoming more and more inward looking and placing greater restrictions on visas and immigration.
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