Abu Dhabi (Monitoring Desk):
The United Arab Emirates has announced significant reforms to its visa regulations, introducing new visa categories aimed at enhancing flexibility and broadening opportunities for visitors, professionals, and residents.
According to the UAE state news agency WAM, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security unveiled new entry visa regulations and amendments that include expanded facilities across various visa categories.
Key Highlights of the New Visa Reforms:
Four New Visit Visa Categories have been introduced, targeting professionals and visitors in:
Artificial Intelligence
Entertainment and Events
Cruise Ship Tourism
Leisure Boats Sector
A new humanitarian residency permit has been launched, valid for one year, and can be extended under specific conditions.
Foreign widows and divorced women are now eligible for a one-year residency permit, which is also renewable based on predefined criteria.
A new “Friend or Relative Visit Visa” clause has been introduced, allowing residents to sponsor friends or relatives up to the third degree, provided the sponsor meets the required income threshold.
The Business Exploration Visa now requires applicants to prove financial stability, professional experience, or shareholding interest in a foreign or domestic company as eligibility criteria.
For truck drivers, the visa requirements include having a sponsor, and fulfilling medical and financial guarantees.
The authority also emphasized that each visa category includes clearly defined duration of stay and renewal conditions, offering greater transparency and planning ease for applicants.
These sweeping reforms are part of the UAE’s broader strategy to modernize its immigration framework, attract global talent, and support economic diversification through enhanced mobility and investment opportunities.
