The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has drawn investors and entrepreneurs from all over the world. The UAE has become a hub for business activities in the Middle East, thanks to its thriving economy, cutting-edge infrastructure, and business-friendly policies.
In recent years, the country has introduced several initiatives to attract more foreign investors and skilled professionals to contribute to the country’s growth and development.
UAE’s Multiple Entry Permit
The UAE’s Multiple Entry Permit is a type of visa that allows an individual to enter and exit the UAE multiple times within a specific period. This type of visa is particularly useful for frequent travelers who need to visit the UAE for business or personal reasons on a regular basis.
The Multiple Entry Permit is typically issued for a period of 6 months or 1 year, although the duration may vary depending on the applicant’s specific circumstances and the discretion of the UAE authorities. The permit is valid for both tourism and business purposes and allows the holder to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days per visit.
Application Process
The process for obtaining a Multiple Entry Permit involves submitting an application to the UAE embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country, along with supporting documents and fees.
Here is a step-by-step process to get a Multiple Entry Permit in the UAE:
- Visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website or Amer website and create an account.
- Fill in the application form for the Multiple Entry Permit and upload the required documents, including a passport copy, photograph, and proof of financial means.
- Pay the application fee online using a credit card.
- Wait for the application to be processed. You can check the status of your application on the website using your application number.
- Once approved, download and print the Multiple Entry Permit and keep it with you when traveling to the UAE.
- When arriving in the UAE, present the Multiple Entry Permit along with your passport at the immigration counter.
- The Multiple Entry Permit will allow you to exit and enter the UAE multiple times during the validity period.
It is important to note that the requirements and process may vary depending on your nationality and other factors, so it’s always best to check with the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information.
UAE’s Golden Visa
Another initiative that has gained popularity in recent years is the Golden Visa. The Golden Visa, is a long-term residence visa that allows foreign talents to live, work, or study in the country, along with exclusive benefits.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has recently announced that foreigners who want to obtain a Golden Visa can apply for a multi-entry permit to finish the procedures in the UAE. Here’s a guide on how to apply for a Golden Visa in the UAE.
Eligibility for the Golden Visa
The following categories of applicants are eligible to apply for a Golden Visa:
- Outstanding Specialized Talents
- Investors in Public Investments
- Real Estate Investors
- Entrepreneurs
- High School Top-Ranked Students in the UAE
- Graduates of Accredited Universities in the UAE
- Graduates of Accredited Universities outside the UAE and Frontline Workers
Application Process
To apply for a Golden Visa, applicants need to follow these five steps:
- Fill out the online application form available on the ICP website.
- Upload all required documents.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Check the application status on the ICP website or through the ICA UAE Smart app.
- Obtain the entry permit for a six-month period, which can be extended for a similar period.
Golden Residency for Outstanding Specialized Talents
Outstanding specialized talents include doctors and scientists, athletes, inventors, creative people of culture and art, specialists in scientific fields, executive directors, doctoral degree holders, and pioneers of humanitarian work. To obtain a Golden Visa, applicants need to provide specific documents based on their profession.
Doctors and Scientists: Applicants should provide an approved letter from the Ministry of Health – UAE to practice the medical profession.
Athletes: They should provide a recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or one of the Sports Councils.
Inventors: They should provide a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy.
Creative People of Culture and Art: Applicants should provide an approved letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in the relevant emirate.
Executive Directors: They should provide an attested university degree, an experience certificate (minimum 5 years of experience), a salary certificate (not less than Dh30,000), and a valid work contract.
Doctoral Degree Holders: They should provide an attested copy of the PhD certificate from the Ministry of Education in one of the priority disciplines.
All the above categories should also provide a valid passport copy and valid health insurance.
For pioneers of humanitarian work, the applicant should be a pioneer within one of the following categories:
- Members who have worked in international and regional organizations or outstanding employees for a minimum of five years.
- Members of civil associations and institutions of public interest or outstanding employees for a minimum of five years.
- Individuals who have received an appreciation award from a local, regional, or international organization that specializes in humanitarian work.
- Awarded to outstanding humanitarian volunteers with at least five years of service or at least 500 hours of volunteer service.
- Funders of humanitarian work provide the value of the support not less than Dh2 million or it’s equivalent.
- All other categories of humanitarian work are agreed upon between the authority and the Ministry.
- A minister can also nominate pioneers of humanitarian work.
- Holding a university degree.
- Completing other requirements imposed by a ministry or authority.
Investors in Public Investments:
- Obtain a deposit of Dh2 million from an investment fund accredited in the UAE.
- Own a valid commercial license or industrial license with a memorandum of association indicating that the investor’s capital is not less than Dh2 million.
- Be a partner in a company’s capital with no less than Dh2 million.
- Submit a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that the investor pays the government no less than Dh250,000 annually.
- Submit a letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that he is a partner in an establishment that pays tax to the government, and that his share in the tax is at least Dh250,000 annually.
Real Estate Investors:
- Own one or more properties whose value is not less than Dh2 million and state that the property is not subject to a loan.
- Proof of housing in the country (home ownership/house rental contract).
Entrepreneurs:
- Project value not less than Dh500,000 with a letter from an auditor in the UAE stating the same.
- A letter from authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature in which leadership is achieved (the project owner).
- A letter from an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country (founder of a project).
- Valid passport copy.
- Valid health insurance.
- Proof of housing in the country (home ownership/house rental contract).
High School Top-ranked Students in UAE:
- Obtain an excellent grade or an average of 95% from public or private schools.
- A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education.
Graduates of Accredited Universities in UAE:
- A recommendation letter from the university stating that his GPA is not less than (3.8).
- Duration should not exceed two years since graduation.
Graduates of Accredited Universities Outside UAE:
- The university ranking should not be less than the top 100 universities in the world according to the international classification approved by the Ministry of Education.
- GPA is not less than (3.5) for bachelor students.
- Duration should not exceed two years since graduation.
- Approved certificate from the Ministry of Education.
Frontline Workers:
- Frontline heroes include nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, pharmacologists, and other cadres approved by the Frontline Heroes Office.
Final Words
Overall, the UAE’s initiatives such as the Multiple Entry Permit and the Golden Visa have made it easier for foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals to do business and contribute to the country’s growth and development. These initiatives demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and talent, and its determination to remain a leading destination for business in the Middle East.
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