The Cabinet, headed by Mohammed bin Rashid, approves the executive regulations for the Entry and Residence of Foreigners Law

The Cabinet, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the executive regulations of the federal decree law regarding the entry and residence of foreigners, which aims to enhance the UAE’s position as an ideal destination for living, working, and investing, and to support the process of sustainable economic growth by attracting and retaining Qualified talents and competencies from all over the world.
The executive regulations provide sufficient information about the types and conditions of entry and residence visas, and the general provisions for the entry and residence of foreigners in the country, and reflect the radical development witnessed by the newly introduced system of entry and residence visas with the aim of facilitating procedures, supporting the labor market, raising its competitiveness and flexibility, and enhancing the feeling of societal stability and security.

Golden residency
The golden residency, which is granted to several categories: investors, entrepreneurs, talented individuals, scholars, specialists, top students, graduates, pioneers of humanitarian work, and the first line of defense for a period of 10 years, witnessed a large group of amendments that came with the aim of facilitating requirements and expanding the categories of beneficiaries.
It also included new benefits for those holding golden residency, the most important of which is canceling the requirement not to be absent from the country in order to maintain golden residency, canceling the maximum number of support service workers that can be recruited, and benefits for family members that allow them to remain in the country for the duration of their residency in the event of the death of the breadwinner holding the golden residency.

Golden residency for scholars
It is granted to scientists and researchers with high achievements and influence in their field based on the recommendation or approval of the Emirates Scholars Council and according to conditions, the most important of which is that he must hold a master’s or doctorate in one of the disciplines of engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from the best universities in the world according to approved international classifications and that he must have research achievements. Accredited or with achievements in building the research and development sector inside and outside the country.
Golden residency for specialists
This path has been expanded to attract skilled workers with educational qualifications and professional experience in all specializations in the fields of medicine, engineering, technology, science, education, law, culture, and sociology, provided that a set of conditions are met, which include obtaining a work permit in the country under a valid employment contract, and that the The person is a skilled worker (the first or second professional level according to the professional classification approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and compatible with the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labor Organization), and the minimum educational level must be a bachelor’s degree or higher. Its equivalent, and the monthly salary must not be less than thirty thousand UAE dirhams or its equivalent in foreign currencies.

Golden residency for exceptional talents
It is granted to those with exceptional, distinguished talents in fields important to the state on the basis of talent only. It does not require an employment contract in the state, nor is there a minimum academic qualification, monthly salary, or professional level. Golden residency is granted to geniuses based on the recommendation or approval of federal or local government agencies, and includes talents in the fields of culture, art, sports, digital technology, inventors and innovators, and other fields of strategic importance.

Real estate investment
The most important facilities in the golden residency for investors in the real estate sector came upon full ownership of a property with a value of no less than 2 million dirhams, where a feature was introduced that enables the investor to obtain the golden residency when purchasing the property with a loan from one of the (specified) local banks. Another feature was also introduced that enables The investor can obtain golden residency when purchasing one or more off-plan properties worth no less than 2 million dirhams from approved local companies.

Entrepreneurship
The executive regulations set flexible and comprehensive requirements for obtaining golden residency in the category of entrepreneurs, which are that the person must have ownership or partnership in an entrepreneurial project registered in the country within the category of small and medium enterprises and achieve annual revenues of no less than one million dirhams.
Obtaining approval for an entrepreneurial project idea from an accredited business incubator, the Ministry of Economy, or the competent local authorities is sufficient to obtain golden residency. Golden residency is also granted if the person is a founder (one of the founders) of a previous entrepreneurial project(s) that was sold for a total value of no less than seven million dirhams. The projects or ideas are required to be approved by the Ministry of Economy or the competent local authorities.

Golden residency for top students and graduates
This path has been expanded to attract distinguished graduates (recent graduates) from the best universities in the country and the 100 best universities in the world to begin their practical and professional careers in the country according to special requirements for the cumulative GPA, year of graduation, and university classification.

A new generation of residences with great benefits and facilities
The residency permit system has also witnessed qualitative updates, the most important of which is the introduction of green residency for a period of 5 years to attract investors, entrepreneurs, high-level skilled workers, and self-employers, and granting greater benefits for bringing in family members residing in the country, and flexible grace periods of up to 6 months after the expiration or cancellation of residency, in a way that enhances… A feeling of security and stability for the resident, in addition to simplifying the conditions and requirements for obtaining residence permits of all types.

Green residency for skilled workers
A new path designated for skilled workers that provides residency for a period of 5 years, renewable, without a guarantor or employer, with simple requirements that include obtaining a work permit in the country under a valid employment contract, and that the person be of the skilled worker category (first, second, or third professional level according to the professional classification). Approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). This category requires that the minimum educational level be a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, and that the monthly salary should not be less than 15 thousand UAE dirhams. Through this path, residency was separated from work to facilitate the transfer procedures for the skilled worker and enhance the flexibility of the labor market.

Green residency for self-employment
To encourage flexible work patterns, a new path dedicated to self-employment has been developed that provides a 5-year, renewable residency without a guarantor or employer, with simple requirements: obtaining a self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, provided that the minimum educational level is a bachelor’s degree, a specialized diploma, or something similar. Its equivalent, and the annual income from self-employment for the previous two years must not be less than (360,000) dirhams, or the applicant for this residency must prove his financial solvency throughout his stay in the country.

Green residency for investor or partner
As part of the unprecedented updates to enhance the investment environment in the country, the green residency was introduced for an investor or partner in a commercial activity without a guarantor, for a period of 5 years, renewable, to replace the previous investor’s two-year residency, with simpler requirements and greater benefits. Thus, the investor’s green residency becomes the basic residency when opening a business activity or participating in it after fulfilling simple requirements that include approving the investment and proving the value of the investment or partnership. In the event that the foreigner has more than one license, the total invested capital becomes subject to fulfilling the prescribed percentage, in addition to Approval of the competent local authorities and a license for the applicant to practice the activity.

New benefits for family members’ residence
The new system offers a large package of benefits to family members, as a foreigner residing in the country may easily bring in his family members, including his spouse and children. The age for sons has been raised to 25 years, from 18 years only, in addition to unmarried daughters, regardless of age. Children of determination are granted a residence permit with their families, regardless of age. Additional benefits have also been created for a foreigner who holds a green residence permit, allowing him to bring in his first-degree relatives. In all cases, the residency period of family members is the same as the residency period of the head of the family.

An updated system for entry visas
The new system of entry visas provides new and multiple purposes and options for those wishing to visit the country. It also offers for the first time visas to visit without requiring a guarantor or host in the country in order to facilitate procedures and requirements. The visas in the new system are characterized by flexible and extendable visit durations of up to a year. Also, all Visas are available for one or more trips, entry validity for 60 days, renewable, and an easy application mechanism within the platform. Uniform.

Job exploration visa
This visa was created with the aim of facilitating the entry of skills and competencies to explore job opportunities available in the country and without a guarantor or host within the country. It is granted to the category of skilled workers at the first, second or third professional level (according to the classification of professions approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). It is also granted to graduates. The best 500 universities in the world (according to approved international rankings), provided that the person has graduated no more than two years ago and that the minimum educational level is a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

Visa to explore investment and business opportunities
This new visa aims to facilitate the entry of investors to explore investment opportunities. It gives investors and entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn about the requirements for establishing a business within simple procedures and without a guarantor or host within the country.

Tourist visa
This category is one of the most widely used visas. In addition to the regular tourist visa that is granted for a visit and the guarantor/host is one of the establishments working in the field of tourism in the country, a multiple-entry tourist visa has also been introduced for a period of five years and without a guarantor, enabling the beneficiary to stay in the country until 90 years. For continuous days, it may be extended for a similar period, provided that the full period of stay does not exceed 180 days per year except in exceptional cases. This visa requires proof of the availability of a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies during the last six months prior to submitting the application.

Visit visa for a relative or friend
Previously, this visa was available if the visitor was a relative of a foreigner and was sponsored by the foreigner, or if the visitor was a friend of a citizen. However, in the new system, it is sufficient for the visitor to be a relative or friend of a citizen or resident of the country to obtain this visa and without a guarantor or host within the country.

Work assignment visa
This visa is allocated to complete a temporary work assignment or to work on probation for a temporary period of time, with the guarantor being the employer in the country. It is only required to present a temporary work contract or a letter from the employer and proof of health fitness for work.

Study, training or qualification
In this visa, the guarantor is one of the universities, institutes, educational or research institutions licensed in the country. The guarantor can also be a government or private entity for the purposes of training and qualification for a temporary period of time. The visa covers vocational training or work during the study period, and it is only required to submit a letter from the entity including the study or training program and its duration.
The provisions of the executive regulations of the federal decree law regarding the entry and residence of foreigners shall come into effect after ninety (90) days from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.