After the government introduced a new system for residence visas and entry permits on April 18, you can now apply for a residency permit in the UAE without needing a sponsor.
Different types of new permissions were revealed in a big statement by the government in order to position the UAE as an ideal place to live, work, and invest. This new expatriate scheme will begin in September of this year.
A new sort of Green Residence Permit for investors, skilled employees, self-employed individuals, and family members was unveiled as part of the announcement.
What is the Green Residence Permit, and who is qualified to apply for it? Here’s everything you need to know.
5-year Green Residence Permit for workers
Certain experts, according to the announcement, can obtain a five-year green residence visa without the need for an employer or sponsor. These are the categories:
1. Green residence for freelancers (self-employment)
- The applicant must get from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation a freelance/self-employment permit (MOHRE)
- A bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma should be the minimum educational level.
- Annual self-employment income for the past two years must be at least Dh360,000, or the applicant must demonstrate financial stability throughout his stay in the nation.
2. Green residence for skilled employees
- Applicants must have a current job contract.
- According to MOHRE, they should be categorized as first, second, or third occupational levels.
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required as a minimum educational level.
- The salary should be at least Dh15,000 each month.
This is in addition to the usual two-year employment-based residence visa.
5-year Green Residence for investors and partners
The Green Residence visa also has a category for investors and partners. The holder of the Green Residency will not need a sponsor in this category, either.
Approval of the investment and proof of investment are among the requirements. The total invested capital will be determined if the investor (partner) owns more than one license. The approval of the appropriate municipal authorities is required.
Education residence permit
Another category of new resident permits released on Monday was for students registered in educational institutions. Students who are sponsored by a licensed educational establishment in the UAE will be eligible for a two-year residence permit.
How long will the permit be valid?
The duration of time a permit is valid is determined by the type of permit you apply for:
- 1 year of remote work residency
- Residence in retirement: 5 years
- 2 years as a real estate owner’s residence
Can one sponsor their family?
- The resident’s family members, including his or her husband and children under the age of 25, as well as unmarried girls of any age, can be sponsored.
- Children of determination, regardless of age, are granted a residence permit.
- The holder of a Green Residence may sponsor first-degree relatives.
- The duration of a family member’s stay must be the same as the period of their sponsor’s stay.
Special humanitarian cases will also be considered
A special note was made in the announcement of specific humanitarian instances in which a residency visa may be given. These are the following:
- A resident whose UAE citizen husband died and she had one or more children.
- Foreign-passport-holding parents or children of UAE nationals.
- Foreign-passport-holding spouses and children of GCC nationals.