The UAE recently revamped its application process and visa system, continuing its relentless pursuit of being the best place to live, work, invest, be entrepreneurial, and get a quality education. The UAE government launched the Green Visa program in an attempt to draw in top talent and encourage economic expansion, and since then, it has created an uproar among some foreign communities.
In addition to other significant upgrades and advantages, the Green Visa quickly provides its holders new privileges, such as the capacity to sponsor their parents and children.
What Is The Green Visa?
In short, the UAE Green Visa is a new class of resident visas that makes a difference between residency permits and work permits. With the Green Visa, individuals with advanced degrees, investors, entrepreneurs, and highly qualified workers will be able to sponsor themselves without first establishing ties with UAE-based businesses.
Even a 60-day entry visa is available to qualified individuals by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, allowing them to visit the country and finish the requirements for obtaining residency.
Know The Benefits of the UAE Green Visa
Officials claim that introducing the Green Visa program is a component of the UAE government’s initiatives to draw in extraordinary talent and boost economic expansion.
The UAE has now broadened the criteria for Golden Visas and announced new entrance visa and residency permit options. The new residency and admission requirements have been implemented to draw in and keep skilled laborers from around the globe, increase the flexibility and competitiveness of the labor market, and promote a strong sense of stability among families and residents of the United Arab Emirates.
Some significant enhancements to the UAE Green Visa have already been put into place, with the new 5-year visa tracks primarily intended to draw in talent, skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. The changes went into effect on October 3, 2022.
Further benefits are being provided, such as extended flexible grace periods of up to six months to remain in the nation after the visa permit is revoked or expires, to assist family members’ visa, and to streamline and simplify the procedures for all resident categories.
Benefits For Family Members
Family members gain more from the new method. It is now simple for residents to bring their spouses and kids to the United Arab Emirates.
The grace period for Green Visa holders and their family members to leave the UAE following the cancellation of a resident visa has been extended to six months, based on information accessed by the typing center agents on the ICP system. As a result, foreign nationals now have six months to change their status, obtain a new residency permit, or depart the nation. During the grace period, there are no fines. However, the dependents of the Green Visa holder may have to pay an overstay fine if they neglect to renew or cancel their visa.
Furthermore, the age limit for children has been raised to 25 years old (it was formerly 18 years old), and unmarried daughters are exempt from age restrictions. Regardless of age, children who demonstrate determination are granted a residence permit.
First-degree relatives of the Green Visa holder are welcome to move in, and in any situation, their residency will last for the same amount of time as the original visa holder’s.
Requirements For UAE Green Visa
The UAE Green Visa aims to make it easier for highly qualified individuals, entrepreneurs, investors, and recent graduates who want to live and work in the UAE to get self-residency status.
It’s also encouraged for freelancers to use a federal visa for freelancers to practice their craft in the United Arab Emirates. The freelancer visa is open to independent contractors working in specialized industries including blockchain, digital currencies, and artificial intelligence who are headquartered in the United Arab Emirates and other countries.
Depending on the particular visa type, there are different qualifying requirements for the UAE Green Visa. The thorough descriptions of each type of Green Visa that follow, together with the requirements that must be fulfilled to apply, are provided below.
Green Visa For Skilled Employees
For skilled workers without an employer or sponsor, the new Green Visa pathway offers a five-year residency period.
Here, the sole prerequisites are as follows:
- A current work contract should be presented by applicants.
- should be categorized according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization as belonging to the first, second, or third occupational level.
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent must be the minimal educational requirement.
- The applicant must earn at least AED 15,000 (USD 4,083.74) per month.
It is important to remember that when the Green residency expires, qualified professionals (third level in the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization categorization) are eligible for an additional grace period of ninety days.
Green Visa For Freelancers and Self-Employment
The new Green Visa for freelancing and self-employment offers a 5-year residency for freelancers and self-employed individuals without requiring a sponsor or employer in the UAE, in light of the significant global growth of the freelancing industry and the idea of flexible work arrangements.
The sole prerequisites are as follows:
- Acquiring a permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization to work as a freelancer or self-employed person.
- Minimum schooling requirements, such as a bachelor’s degree or specialized certification.
- AED 360,000 (USD 98,009.86) in self-employment income during the preceding two years, or
- Throughout their stay in the nation, the candidate must demonstrate their financial stability.
Green Visa For Investors or Partners
To promote investment, the Green Visa for Partners or Investors has been introduced. It grants residents five years of residency to those who develop or engage in business ventures. Additionally, the validity period under this category has been extended from the prior two years to the current five years.
Among the prerequisites are:
- Approval of the investment and documentation of 1 million AED investment.
- The total amount invested will be computed if the partner/investor holds several licenses.
- It is required to have the necessary regional authorities’ approval.
READ MORE: Steps For Applying The UAE Investor Visa – Explained!
How To Apply For A UAE Green Visa?
Applying for a UAE Green Visa is easy and may be done with the GDRFA smart application or website. The procedures to apply for a Green Visa online are as follows:
- Open the GDRFA application or visit the GDRFA website.
- Access the smart services system by entering your login or UAE Pass.
- Select the “Service” area.
- Choose “permissions for entry.”
- Click “issuing of green visa.”
- Select the appropriate subcategory, such as independent contractor, partner, investor, or skilled worker.
- Complete the application and include the necessary files.
- Cover the service charge.
- Send application.
You might receive an email or text message about the status of your application. Applicants will be given 30 days to complete any missing paperwork.
Processing Time & Cost For Green Visa
The processing period for a UAE Green Visa is two to three months, according to multiple sources. It’s crucial to remember that the processing time could be prolonged in some circumstances. Therefore, to allow for any potential delays, it is advised that you submit your visa application well in advance.
A Green Visa will cost you about AED 2,280. This excludes the ID card fee, which is approximately AED 575, and the medical fee, which is AED 320 for standard services.
Please be aware that the price listed is for a single person and that the final cost after the complete issuance procedure may differ depending on how many dependents the visa holders are sponsoring.