The UAE has launched the Green Visa, a new type of residence permit that was aimed at attracting skilled workers, businessmen and investors as part of gradual changes that the country is carrying out in the context of innovative development of the economy, as well as effective economic diversification.
This visa type is more liberal and secure for expatriates since the person will not require a sponsor to live and work in the UAE.
Eligibility and Key Benefits
The Green Visa is aimed at skilled workers, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs who can benefit the UAE economy. Some of the key benefits of this visa include: Some of the key benefits of this visa include:
Extended Residency: Compared to other types of visa, Green Visa offers a longer possible period of stay in the UAE: up to five years with the possibility of its extension. This is much better for expatriate and their families in that it is more stable.
No Sponsorship Requirement: However, unlike traditional visa types, the Green Visa allows the person to self-sponsor. This feature is of great use to freelancers and door-to-door businesspeople as it grants them considerable freedom and legal capacity to perform business in the UAE without resorting to any big organizations.
Family Sponsorship: Family members of Green Visa holders include spouses, children, and parents and we do allow the Green Visa holder to sponsor his family members for the duration of the Green Visa. This makes it an ideal investment for people who are working and business people who would like to sponsor their families in the UAE.
Employment Flexibility: It can be used to switch jobs or look for other employment in the UAE without having to withdraw the current visa and make a fresh visa application, allowing more employment flexibility.
Access to Government Services: People holding a visa will also be allowed to access different services offered by the UAE government, more or less equal to those enjoyed by native citizens in terms of health care and education, among others. This also enhances socialisation of expatriates in the local community since they are already familiar with the language.
Who Can Apply?
As we have seen, the Green Visa can be obtained by freelancers, self-employed people, and other skilled employees. Here’s what you need to qualify: Here’s what you need to qualify:
Freelancers and Self-Employed: In order to work as a freelancer or self-employed, one has to acquire this permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. They should also have to present certificates indicating a bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma, and documentary evidence of average personal income for the past two years of not less than AED 360,000 from self-employment.
Skilled Employees: The employment contract must be valid and the applicant must be classified in the first, second, or third occupational level by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Other conditions include a holder of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and a minimum monthly salary of AED 15000.
How to Apply
The application process for the Green Visa is straightforward and designed to be user-friendly: The application process for the Green Visa is straightforward and designed to be user-friendly:
Prepare Documents: First of all, legal documents and certificates such as a valid passport, documents confirming qualifications, a contract of employment, and proof of income. Some investors may require other papers that may be relevant to the business activities being undertaken.
Submit Online Application: It can be via Internet application for which the candidate is required to visit the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs. Make sure that all necessary forms are filled in and all the necessary documents are uploaded.
Review and Approval: The submitted application will be examined and further, the authorities will check the applicant’s background and the information provided by him. It may take a few weeks to approve the same.
Visa Issuance: On issuance of the Green Visa, one will be permitted to live and work in the United Arab Emirates. If you can, then you can then sponsor your family members which include, your wife, husband, children, and other dependent relatives.
The launch of the Green Visa is one of the biggest advances taken by the UAE government to attract and consequently retain international talent. Far more relaxed compared with the other nationalities, together with the ability to have family-sponsored visas, the Green Visa is all designed to foster a dynamic expatriate society commensurate with the UAE’s goals of becoming the innovation and business hub of the world.
