UAE Announces Major Visa Reforms and New Facilities

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has introduced significant amendments to its visa regulations, along with new facilities to enhance accessibility for residents and visitors.

According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, four new types of visit visas have been launched. These include special visas for experts in artificial intelligence, as well as for professionals in the entertainment, events, cruise ships, and leisure boats sectors.

The authority further announced that widowed and divorced foreign women will now be eligible for a one-year renewable residency permit.

In addition, visit visas can now be issued for friends or relatives. Sponsors will be able to invite third-degree relatives or friends based on their income.

For business exploration visas, financial stability is a mandatory requirement. Similarly, truck driver visas will require not only a sponsor but also proof of health and financial guarantees.

A new one-year humanitarian residency permit has also been introduced, which can be extended under specific conditions.