The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship (ICA), has just announced some new changes in a bid to continue to be the best destination for families, ambitious young people, tourists and entrepreneurs.
With the new changes surrounding visas and citizenship, it has been announced that guardians can apply for a residency visa on behalf of any 18-year-old males in their care, and this visa is valid for up to 2 years, and is open to every son of a UAE resident, provided they have graduated from secondary school and have a certificate to prove it.
This form of a visa was previously accompanied by a fee of AED 5000, approximately USD 1300, along with the option of men having to acquire a study or work visa after the age of 18 in order to stay in the UAE. With the new visa, however, the residency visa will be valid for 12 months and can be renewed for another 12 months, giving men ample time to obtain a job.
The UAE has offered up this form of residency permit to push young men to find jobs that will ensure that the job market is employing the young talent of the country. Applying for the visa is simple as it can be done online via the ICA’s website, or at any other government approved establishments, and the cost is just AED 100. For women, it’s not quite the same as they can remain on their family visas until they marry.
For those wishing to travel to the UAE for a holiday, it has been announced that be during the summer months, July 15th – Sept 15th, visitors under the age of 18 will not have to pay any visa fees. By doing this, the UAE is hoping to see an increase in its tourism sector. It has been stipulated that children must be travelling with an adult to be able to make use of the free visa for under the age of 18.
With the future in mind, the UAE wants to be the nucleus of all things tech, AI, entrepreneurial and talented and for this, the Emirati government will be granting long term visas to the World Economic Forum’s selection of "100 Arab startups shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution." Valid for 5 years, the visas will be offered to founders of enterprises, their partners and 3 executives and won’t require any sponsors.
This year, there were 5 new types of visas announced that were specifically for outstanding students, doctors and researchers, investors and real estate investors.
