The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security issued a decision to add four new purposes for visit entry visas, and to amend the durations, conditions, and controls for obtaining several visas. This step supports the UAE’s direction towards openness to the world and attracting talented individuals, experts, and entrepreneurs in technology, especially artificial intelligence, entertainment, and tourism.

The Director General of the Authority, Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, said that the Authority’s decision to amend the controls and conditions of several existing visas and add new purposes for visit visas is the result of future foresight studies conducted by the Authority regarding current and future trends in residency and foreign affairs locally, regionally, and internationally.

He pointed out that the amendments meet the aspirations of customers and consider the humanitarian and economic circumstances of many groups wishing to continue, work, and live in the UAE, explore business opportunities, and build their future here. He noted that these amendments contribute to improving the quality of life in society, enhancing trade and transport movement, supporting technology sectors, and boosting the competitiveness and economic capability of the UAE locally, regionally, and internationally.

The decision included adding four new purposes for obtaining entry visas, including issuing entry visas for artificial intelligence specialists for single or multiple trips and for a specified period, provided a letter is submitted from the guarantor or host entity (a specialized technology establishment). Also, an entertainment entry visa granted to foreigners coming for a temporary period for entertainment purposes.

The third visa purpose is a visit visa (event visa), granted to foreigners for a temporary period to attend a festival, exhibition, conference, seminar, or economic, cultural, sports, religious, community, educational activities, or similar events. It requires the guarantor/host to be a public or private sector entity, with a letter from the hosting entity detailing the event and its duration.

The decision also states that the Authority may grant foreigners multiple entry visas for tourism purposes via cruise ships and pleasure boats for a temporary period, provided a tourism schedule for entering the country is included, and the guarantor/host in this case is a licensed establishment for this type of activity.

The decision amended the conditions and controls of several existing visas, including granting visas to foreign truck drivers for single or multiple trips, provided the guarantor/host is a shipping establishment or a commercial activity related to cargo transport, the financial guarantee and prescribed fee are fulfilled, and the beneficiary has health insurance.

The amendments also included modifying the controls for issuing entry visas to visit a friend or relative. It stated that if the foreigner coming to the country is a first-degree relative of a resident foreigner, the guarantor/host’s monthly income must not be less than 4,000 AED. For second or third-degree relatives, the monthly income must not be less than 8,000 AED. For friends of resident foreigners, the monthly income must not be less than 15,000 AED.

Regarding the business opportunity exploration visa, the decision added a condition that the foreigner wishing to explore business establishment opportunities must have financial solvency according to the nature of the activity they wish to work in, or be practicing that activity through an existing establishment or company outside the country, or be a professional in the field.

Regarding humanitarian cases, the decision set the visa duration for humanitarian cases at one year only. The Authority’s president may issue a decision to continue granting visas to foreigners whose countries suffer wars, disasters, or unrest without a guarantor or host, or to renew or suspend such residency based on reports from the relevant department at the Authority, which is the working department for identity and foreign affairs. Residency permits of this type become void if the beneficiary leaves the UAE.

Regarding the sponsorship of citizens or foreigners for their relatives or their spouse’s relatives under humanitarian cases, the decision allows the Director General of Identity and Foreign Affairs at the Authority to exempt some cases from the financial solvency or degree of kinship requirement or both, while adhering to the current technical and financial conditions and controls.

The humanitarian clause in the new decision included conditions for the residence of foreign widows or divorcees in the country without a guarantor. The decision allows granting residence to the wife in case of death or divorce if the husband was a citizen. Residency for foreign widows or divorcees without children is issued within six months from the date of death or divorce.

For foreigners, the decision allows issuing residence for foreign widows or divorcees who are custodians and their children within six months from the date of death or divorce, provided the widow or divorcee is inside the country, the guarantor was the husband at the time of death or divorce, and the widow or divorcee is the custodian if she wishes to grant her children residency, in which case she becomes the guarantor. In case of custody disputes, the decision is made by the competent committee. In all cases, financial solvency and suitable housing must be available, and the residency may be extended for a similar period based on serious reasons.

The decision annex (A) defined the schedule of durations and extension authorities for entry visas and the authorized stay period upon visa issuance, including six types of durations and authorities. This aims to govern procedures, enhance institutional identity, transparency, and integrity, and enable all customer categories to achieve their goals for obtaining the visa, considering the visa type and its importance to both customers and the country.

“Identity and Citizenship”:

• The decision includes amending the durations, conditions, and controls for obtaining several visas.