Chaired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE Cabinet, yesterday adopted major changes in the UAE visa rules. The rules also included several strategic decisions regarding insurance of foreign workers’ in the private sector and legislative package of visa facilities.
Job visa
A new six-month visa would be introduced for job seekers who overstay their visa, but, wish to continue working in the country. The Cabinet will permit individuals wishing to adjust or renew their visas, to do so for a fee, and they will not have to leave and re-enter the country.
Workers’ insurance scheme
A new insurance scheme has been introduced for workers’ guarantees. Earlier, the mandatory deposit per worker was Dh.3000, which has now been replaced with a new insurance that costs just Dh.60 annually per worker. The new scheme aims to secure the rights of the workers’ in the private sector and reduce burden on employers. Through this, businesses can recover about Dh.14bn, representing the value of guarantees currently paid by employers, and this will help them invest more in the development of their business. This will also improve their ease of doing business in the UAE, thereby contributing to market prosperity and growth. It covers the workers’ entitlement in terms of vacation allowance, end of service benefits, unpaid wages, workers return ticket, coverage of Dh.20,000 per worker in cases of work injury.
Visa facilitations
Further, the Cabinet has adopted several visa facilitations for visitors, families, residents and for those overstaying their visa to cater to a wider section of the society. The Cabinet approved a new legislative package, including a review of the current residency system, which grants two-year extension of residency period for dependents of their parents after completing university studies. Further, as per a new decision, transit passengers are exempted from all entry fee for the first 48 hours after their entry to the country. The transit visa can be extended for up to 96 hours for a fee of just Dh.50. Transit visa can be obtained at any of the express counters at the passport-control hall in UAE airports. Further, people overstaying their visa have been given an opportunity to leave the country voluntarily without a ‘no entre’ passport stamp.
New resolution
The Cabinet has adopted a new resolution on empowering ‘People of Determination’, allowing them access to the job market. With this resolution, they will be given support to obtain equal job opportunities across various sectors in the social development programs for all segments of the society by the government.
UAE and Russia
A new deal has been signed by the Cabinet between Government of the UAE and Government of Russian Federation on mutual exemption of visa needs for nationals of the UAE and nationals of Russian Federation, thereby opening up new horizons for mutual tourism, trade and investment.
