.png?itok=HBSyMDok "UAE Breaks Heat Record With 51.6°C - Here’s How to Stay Safe and Sane This Summer")
.png "Interview With Expat Saanika Gandhi, Author of Children's Book 'The Yellow Kite'")
Here is what has been revealed about the UAE 'Green Visa' so far, the new residency visa offering heaps of benefits for expats
5 September 2021
| Last updated on 13 September 2021
The green visa is part of a series of projects 'set out a new era of prosperity and development'.
A total of 50 new projects are being revealed by the UAE's leadership this week, in line with the 50th anniversary of the UAE’s unification and will usher in the next phase of growth for the country.
The news comes almost a year after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the prestigious Golden Visa. This 10-year visa has been awarded to high-achieving expats in a number of industries including doctors and engineers.
SEE ALSO: Who Can Apply for the UAE Golden Visa?
Not much else has been revealed about the visa so far, including how to apply for the green visa, but further announcements are expected in the coming weeks. Here is a round-up of what has been revealed so far!
What is the UAE Green Visa?
The UAE "green visa was announced on Sunday September 5 to be a new, upcoming category to the residency visa. The new visa was introduced to help ease the restrictions faced by foreigners interested in pursuing employment opportunities in the UAE, as well as to boost the country's economy and reduce their reliance on oil.
How is it different from a regular residency visa?
Officials said that the visa will allow expat residents in the emirates to sponsor their parents, as well as their male children who are 25 years old and below. The regular UAE residency visas only allow parents and guardians to sponsor male children up to 18 years old.
But the biggest change that comes with the new green visa is that it allows foreigners to work and live in the UAE without being sponsored by an employer, parent, or spouse. The normal residency visa can only be given to those under sponsorship.
Green visa-holders will also be granted a grace period of up to three months once the visa expires. The regular residency visa only gives 30 days for renewal after expiry.
Are there any benefits?
The new Green Visa will allow parents in the UAE to sponsor male children up to 25 years old, which is capped at 18 years old for the regular residency visa.
This comes as great news to expat parents with older male children in high school, university, or are just starting in the workforce.
In addition, foreign nationals will be allowed to work and live in the emirates without being sponsored by an employer.
Keep an eye on this page as further announcements are released.
.png?itok=0fOAXkOm "UAE Breaks Heat Record With 51.6°C - Here’s How to Stay Safe and Sane This Summer")
.png?itok=EH_x0Pha "Experience Extended Stays and Special Savings at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort UAE")
