UAE Announces Four New Visit Visa Categories, Amendments To Entry Permit

The UAE has introduced four new visit visa categories on Monday, including for specialists in Artificial Intelligence, entertainment, events, cruise ships, and yachts.

The move is part of some key amendments and additions to entry visa regulations unveiled by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).

The new regulations aim to "reinforce the UAE's approach of openness to the world and its efforts to attract talent, expertise, and entrepreneurs in the fields of technology-particularly artificial intelligence-as well as entertainment and tourism."

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New visit visas

The new four categories for entry visas are as follows:

• For specialists in AI : This is a single or multiple entry permit and for a specific period of time. Issuing this type of visa is conditional on submitting a letter from a sponsoring or hosting entity such as a facility specialised in the field of technology)

• For entertainment : This type of visas will be granted to foreigners coming for a temporary period for entertainment purposes.

• For events : It will be 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 is required that the sponsor/host be an entity from the public or private sector, and a letter from the hosting entity must be submitted, including details of the event and its duration.

• For tourism : Foreigners can get a multiple-entry visa for tourism purposes through cruise ships and leisure boats for a temporary period of time, provided that the schedule includes stops in the UAE, and that the sponsor/host in this case, is a facility licensed for this type of activity.

Humanitarian residence permit

The humanitarian residence permit will be issued for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension by decision of the ICP, in accordance with specific conditions.

The ICP has the authority to issue a decision to continue granting visas to foreigners whose countries are suffering from wars, disasters, or unrest, without the need for a guarantor or host.

The residency may also be renewed or cancelled based on reports submitted by the competent department within the Authority - namely, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs. This type of residency permit will be considered void if the beneficiary leaves the UAE.

As for citizens or foreigners bringing in their relatives or their spouses' relatives under humanitarian cases, the decision allows the Director General of Identity and Foreigners Affairs at the Authority to exempt certain cases from the financial solvency requirement, the degree of kinship requirement, or both, while adhering to the same technical and financial regulations currently in force.

Other changes include issuing a residence permit for a foreign widow or divorcee for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a similar period.

In addition to this, a visit visa for a friend or relative up to the third degree will now allow their sponsorship, based on the sponsor's income.

The business exploration visa requires financial solvency to establish a company, ownership of a share in an existing company outside the country, or proven professional practice.

Truck driver visas require the presence of a sponsor, as well as health and financial guarantees.

There will be clear schedules specifying the authorised duration of stay for each visa type and outlining the applicable conditions for extension.

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