UAE Visa Reforms
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has made several changes in the visa rules and regulations. The country has introduced the Green Visas, which is just one of the many reforms in the visa policies.
In this article, we will be discussing all the changes made in the UAE visa rules.
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Sponsorship of Parents and Children
The biggest change in the visa rules is the ability for Golden Visa holders to sponsor their parents for a 10-year visa.
Previously, the sponsorship was allowed only for one year, but the new rules have made it easier for the Golden Visa holders to sponsor their parents.
Additionally, the facility for sponsoring a child has also been simplified, and there is no age limit for sponsoring unmarried daughters.
Increase in Visa Fee
The fee for the services provided by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has been increased. As a result, Emirates ID and residency visas will now cost Dh100 more.
Extension of Grace Period
The time limit for exiting the UAE after visa expiry has been extended.
The grace period, which was earlier 30 days, has now been increased to 60 to 180 days, giving more time to individuals to arrange their affairs before leaving the country.
Removal of Residency Visa Stickers
Earlier, residency visa stickers were mandatory and had to be placed in the passport. However, this system has been removed, and Emirates IDs are now considered as official residency documents.
Reduction in Validity of Free zone Visas
On the other hand, the validity of Free zone visas has been reduced from 3 years to 2 years.
Introduction of Re-entry Permit
The re-entry permit facility has been introduced, which will allow individuals to stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months without affecting their residency status.
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Conclusion
The UAE government has made several changes in the visa rules, including the introduction of Green Visas, an increase in visa fee, extension of grace period, removal of residency visa stickers, reduction in validity of Free zone visas, and the introduction of re-entry permit facility. These changes have been made to make the visa process more efficient and simplify the rules for individuals.
