New UAE visa reforms: More benefits for family members

UAE residents can now sponsor children up to the age of 25 years, with no age limit for unmarried daughters. Earlier, the age limit for sponsoring children was 18 years.

This comes as the Cabinet announced a slew of visa reforms under a new residency scheme. The initiatives - ranging from a five-year Green Visa to the introduction of new categories under the 10-year Golden Visa, among others - offer several benefits to facilitate the residency of family members in the country.

Under new residence types introduced by the Emirates on Monday, residents can now also avail of longer flexible grace periods that allow them to stay in the country for up to six months after the cancellation or expiry of their residence permit. However, it is not immediately clear whether this applies to all visa types.

This comes as the Cabinet announced a slew of visa reforms under a new residency scheme. The initiatives - ranging from a five-year Green Visa to the introduction of new categories under the 10-year Golden Visa, among others - offer several benefits to facilitate the residency of family members in the country.

Under new residence types introduced by the Emirates on Monday, residents can now also avail of longer flexible grace periods that allow them to stay in the country for up to six months after the cancellation or expiry of their residence permit. However, it is not immediately clear whether this applies to all visa types

Benefits for family members

• Residents can easily issue residence permits for family members, including spouse and children.
• Regardless of their age, Children of determination are granted a residence permit.
• Green Residence visa holders are allowed to issue residence permits for their first-degree
relatives.
• In all cases, the residency of family members shall be the validity duration as the original
residence holder.
• Meanwhile, the amendments also allow Golden Residence holders to sponsor family members,
including spouse and children, regardless of their age.
• Golden Residence holders can sponsor support services (domestic workers) without limiting their
number.
• There is also no restriction related to the maximum duration of stay outside the UAE in order to
keep the Golden Residence valid.

Benefits for visitors

• The new system also offers UAE visitors a variety of visa types for different visit purposes.
• For the first time, new types of visas have been introduced that do not require a host or sponsor.
• Major improvements include facilitating the entry requirements for all visa types, offering flexible
visa durations that meet the needs of the visitors and the purpose of the visit.
• In addition, all entry visas are available for single or multiple entry and can be renewed for similar
period(s). They will be valid for 60 days from their issuance date