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Shaikh Mohammad chairing the Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet, among other initiatives, has approved the project of Succession Planning and Talents Pool in the Federal Government. Image Credit: Dubai Media Office Twitter

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cabinet on Sunday approved a series of plans, including one that allows expatriates to stay on in the country long after they retire.

The Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has also adopted a resolution to support the industrial sector by introducing reduced fees of electricity consumption for large-, medium- and small-sized factories.

"We launched today an initiative to support the industry sector and to affirm UAE's position on the global map as an attractive investment destination that provides an integrated environment for growth and sustainability," said Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid.

Green economy

"We are investing in a sustainable industrial sector through the collaboration between different government entities, and our goal is to be a successful model for the green economy to preserve our environment for future generations," he added.


The initiative introduced a reduced tariff for electricity consumption for the industrial sector, to be in effect as of thr fourth quarter of the year, while achieving sustainable growth by reducing dependence on non-environmentally friendly sources such as liquid fuels.

Large factories will be supported by reducing the electricity consumption charges by 29 per cent, while the small- and medium-sized factories will have reduced fees by 10 per cent to 22 per cent, in addition to waiving the service connection fees for new factories.


New Cabinet decisions

Special Long-Term Residency Visa for Expatriates  After Retirement: 
■ Expats retirees over the age of 55 years will get 5-year visa, with the possibility of renewal. 
■ To qualify for the long-term visa, an expatriate retiree should have an investment in a property worthDh2 million, or financial savings of no less than Dh1 million, or having an active income of no less than Dh20,000 per month. 

FEWA Industrial Sector Electricity Tariff Reduction:
■ The initiative introduced a reduced tariff for FEWA electricity consumption for the industrial sector, to be in effect as of quarter four (Q4) of this year. 
■ Large factories will be supported by reducing the electricity consumption charges by 29 per cent, while the small and medium factories will have reduced fees by 10 per cent to 22 per cent, in addition to waiving the service connection fees for new factories. 

One Day Court: 
■ Launching of the "one-day court" system to provide the fastest and most efficient services to the community.
■ The "one-day court" will contribute to speeding up the ruling in minor criminal offences.

UAE-RUSSIA Visa waiver: 
■ The Cabinet approved an agreement between the UAE and the Russian Federation on the mutual exemption of visa requirements for citizens of both countries

Major Cabinet decisions on visas announced this year
■ Abolished mandatory bank guarantee for labour recruitment and replace it with a low-cost insurance system 
■ New visa facilitation procedures for visitors, residents, families & people overstaying visas adopted  
■ Approved UAE exemption of transit passengers from all entry fees for first 48 hours approved. Transit visa extension for up to 96 hours for a fee of Dh50   
■ New six-month visa introduced for job seekers who overstayed their visa but wish to work in the country
■ 10 years visa for professionals such as doctors, engineers, specialists working in medicine, science, research and technical fields 
■ Approved five-year visas for students and 10-year visa for "exceptional" graduates
 


Quick justice

The Cabinet also approved the launch of the "one-day court" system to provide the fastest and most efficient services to the community. The "one-day court" will contribute to speeding up the ruling in minor criminal offenses.


The initiative also affirms that the UAE is a state of institutions and law, possessing a distinguished judicial system that is based on modern mechanisms and systems.

Are you eligible for a long-term visa?

The UAE Cabinet approved a law to provide special residency-visa privileges for expats retirees over the age of fifty-five years for a period of five years, with the possibility of renewal, for those who meet certain criteria.

 
Long-term visa for expats

For an expat to be eligible for a long-term visa, the requirements include:

■ An investment in a property worth Dh2 million, or

■ Financial savings of no less than Dh1 million, or

■ An active income of no less than Dh20,000 per month.
 


The law, which will be in effect as of 2019, outlines the requirements to qualify for the long-term visa such as having an investment in a property worth Dh2 million, or having financial savings of no less than Dh1 million, or having an active income of no less than Dh20,000 per month.


As part of the government's keenness to develop the human competencies across the federal government and to optimise human resources, the UAE Cabinet has approved the project of Succession Planning and Talents Pool in the federal government. The project aims to ensure that the Emirati manpower is equipped with the necessary tools to assume leadership and specialised positions.

The Cabinet adopted the unified national standards for public and private hospitals, which is in line with the UAE Vision 2021, to improve the level of services provided in the UAE in accordance to best standards and best international practices.

Raising the bar

The new unified standards provide guidelines for healthcare professionals and hospital design, as well as other standards for medicines, patients' rights, and patients' families.

It also approved a resolution on the control and stamping requirements for trading in precious stones and precious metals to establish the necessary regulatory framework while preserving the high reputation of the UAE and increase its attractiveness to investments in this field.

The Cabinet approved an agreement between the UAE and the Government of the Russian Federation on the mutual exemption of visa requirements for citizens of both countries, and approved an agreement between the UAE and the Government of the Republic of Gabon regarding the establishment of an embassy to the Republic of Zimbabwe in Harare.

The Cabinet approved the signing of an agreement between the UAE and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on economic and technical cooperation, as well as a number of other agreements.