The UAE Green Visa is a new type of residence visa that differentiates between employment and residency permits. The Green Visa will enable highly talented individuals, investors, entrepreneurs, and top students and graduates to sponsor themselves without first establishing relationships with firms based in the UAE.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai even provides qualified persons with a 60-day entrance visa to travel to the UAE to complete the appropriate processes for awarding residence.
What are the advantages of the UAE Green Visa for 2023?
According to authorities, introducing the Green Visa system is part of the UAE government’s attempts to recruit outstanding talent and accelerate economic growth.
The UAE has recently announced additional entrance visas and resident permits and expanded the Golden Visa categories. The new residency system was introduced to recruit and retain global talents and skilled employees from all over the globe, increase job market competitiveness and flexibility and nurture a strong feeling of stability among UAE citizens and families.
Several necessary modifications for the UAE Green Visa have already gone into force, including the new 5-year residency tracks, designed primarily to attract talents, skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
In addition to easing and simplifying the conditions for all forms of residency, further perks such as flexible grace periods of 6 months to stay in the nation after the residence permit is cancelled or expired to allow family members to dwell.
Green Visa for skilled workers
The new Green residence route for skilled employees gives a 5-year residency option for qualified individuals who do not have a sponsor or employer.
The only prerequisites are as follows:
- According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, candidates must have a valid employment contract and be classed at the first, second, or third occupational level.
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required, and the applicant’s remuneration should not be less than AED 15,000 per month (USD 4,083.74).
- Please remember that qualified professionals (third level in the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation classification) are entitled to a 90-day grace period after their green residency expires.
Green Visa for freelancers and self-employed people
With the freelancing business and flexible work patterns expanding globally, the new green residence for freelancing and self-employment allows a 5-year residency in the UAE for freelancers and self-employed persons without needing a sponsor or employer.
The only prerequisites are as follows:
- Acquiring a freelance/ self-employment authorization from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, a minimum educational qualification with a bachelor’s degree or specialized certification.
- An annual income from self-employment of AED 360,000 (USD 98,009.86) for the past two years, or the applicant must be able to demonstrate financial soundness throughout their stay in the nation.
Green visa for an investor or partner
The Green residence for investors or partners has been developed to stimulate investment. It grants investors five years of residency if they create or participate in business enterprises. Additionally, the validity period for this category has been extended from two to five years.
The prerequisites are as follows:
- Permission of the investment and evidence of investment of 1 million AED.
- The total invested capital will be determined if the investor (partner) holds more than one license.
- The consent of the appropriate municipal authorities is required.
- New advantages for family members
- The new arrangement gives family members extra benefits. Residents can now bring their families to the UAE, including their spouses and children.
According to information retrieved on the ICP system by typing centre agents, the grace period for green visa holders and their family members to leave the UAE following a resident visa cancellation has been increased to 6 months. As a result, expats now have six months to either change their status and obtain a new residence visa or leave the country. During the grace period, there are no fines. However, if the green visa holder fails to renew or cancel his dependents’ visas, the dependents may be required to pay an overstay fee.
Also, the age of children has been raised to 25 years (from 18 years earlier), and unmarried daughters have no age limit. Children of determination, whatever age, are awarded a residence visa.
The Green Visa holder may bring his first-degree relatives, and in all situations, family members’ residency shall be for the same term as the original residence holder.
Who is qualified for a Green Visa in the UAE?
The UAE established the Green Visa program to assist in extending self-residency status for investors, entrepreneurs, highly qualified individuals, top students, and graduates who wish to work and live in the UAE.
Freelancers are encouraged to work in the UAE by applying for a federal freelancer visa. Self-employed employees in speciality sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and digital currencies residing in the UAE and overseas are encouraged to apply for the freelancer visa.