UAE Green Visa, Freelancer Visa, Golden Visa: What we know about the new visa schemes so far

Dubai: With the recently announced UAE residency rules creating a buzz, here is an explainer on everything that we know so far about the new visa schemes offered by the country.

Green Visa is the latest category of resident visa announced by the UAE. It was announced as part of the ‘Projects of the 50’, a series of developmental and economic projects commemorating the UAE’s 50th anniversary and aiming to accelerate the UAE’s development and consolidate into a comprehensive hub in all sectors and establish its status as an ideal destination for talents and investors.

Green Visa, like the Golden Visa, gives self-residency status to holders. It distinguishes between work permits and residencies. That means, the residence permit is not linked to a company work permit. The self-residency visa will be sponsored by employees themselves, not their companies if they are employed.

With Green Visa, the self-residency status has been further expanded to investors, entrepreneurs, highly-skilled individuals, top students and graduates. Those running Small and Medium Enterprises, scientists and other talented people will also be considered.

Freelancer Visa is a new federal visa for self-employed workers that was announced along with the Green Visa. It is the first federal scheme of its kind, and enables self-employers to sponsor themselves.

Self-employed workers based in the UAE and overseas in specialised fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital currencies.

The eligibility for the Golden Visa has been expanded to include managers, CEOs, specialists in science, engineering, health, education, business management and technology. The pathway for the coveted 10-year visa category has been smoothened for highly skilled and specialised residents, investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, pioneers, leading students and graduates.

The new measures have been introduced to enhance the competitiveness and flexibility of the UAE labour market, facilitate sector growth, spur knowledge transfer and skills development, and create greater stability and security for residents.