IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Emirati government has announced that a new Green Visa is available to foreign nationals seeking residency in the country.

Key Points:

  • Entrepreneurs, investors, highly skilled professionals and top achievers are eligible to apply for the Green Visa without being sponsored by a business.
  • Green Visa holders may sponsor parents and children who are 25; previously, visa holders could only sponsor their male dependents until they were 21.
  • Green visas hold validity for five years while the golden visa is 10 years. As of now, the two visas only differ in the visa duration.

Additional Information: The Emirati government further explained that the Green Visa will be a continuation of its existing visas schemes and work alongside the golden and tourist visas. The government has not provided additional information on eligibility requirements or application guidelines.

BAL Analysis: The new Green Visa will allow foreign nationals the ability to enter the country without an employer sponsorship. More details on how the system will work should be announced in the coming weeks. BAL will continue to monitor Green Visa developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Emirati government recently announced that it has opened tourist visa applications to fully vaccinated individuals from all countries.

Key Points:

  • As of Aug. 30, all fully vaccinated individuals from any country may apply for a tourist visa.
  • Individuals who are arriving on tourist visas must take a PCR test at the airport.
  • All previous heath protocols remain in place; unvaccinated individuals will not be able to apply for a tourist visa.
  • Tourist visa holders may carry out business-related activities such as attending meetings, conferences, trainings and associated activities.

Additional Information: To be eligible for tourist visas, individuals must have received a World Health Organization approved vaccine. Individuals may register their vaccination certificates through the Al Hosn application or ICA platform to receive additional benefits.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Authorities recently announced that passengers from 70 countries do not need to apply for visitor visas before traveling to Abu Dhabi.

Key Points:

  • Under a change that took effect Aug. 17, individuals from 70 countries may obtain visitor visas upon arrival in Abu Dhabi.
    • The list includes travelers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Russia, the U.S. and the U.K.
  • If individuals are already in the UAE, and their resident visas have been cancelled or tourist visas have expired, they may apply for a long-term single-entry tourist visa.
  • More information on different available visitor visas can be found here.

Additional Information: Indian citizens are now eligible to apply for a visa upon arrival in Abu Dhabi if they have a passport with at least 6 months of validity and a U.S. visitor visa, U.S. green card or hold U.K. or EU residency that is valid for at least 6 months. All pre-arranged entry visas, including new residence visas, that were issued before March 17, 2020, have now been canceled.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) recently announced that valid residency visa holders traveling from restricted countries must apply for pre-entry approval.

Key Points:

  • All valid residency visa holders traveling from restricted countries must apply for pre-entry approval on the ICA website.
    • Dubai residents must obtain entry approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
  • To be eligible for pre-entry approval, individuals must have:
    • Received their full vaccination in the UAE.
    • Had 14 days pass since the last dose was administered.
    • Obtained a vaccination certificated approved by UAE official authorities.
  • Individuals are exempt from the vaccination requirements if they are:
    • Medical personnel working in the country.
    • Residents working in education.
    • Students in the UAE.
    • Workers in the federal or local government.
    • Completing medical treatment in the UAE or in need of humanitarian considerations.

Additional Information: Travelers must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate with QR code linked to the original results. The test must have been conducted within 48 hours of departure at an approved laboratory. Pre-entry approval is mandatory is mandatory to return to any airport in the UAE besides Dubai. More information for Dubai’s entry requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The United Arab Emirates updated its travel requirements for individuals arriving from India and five other countries.

Key Points:

  • All passengers with a valid UAE residence visa may travel to and through Dubai from India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Uganda if they meet the following requirements:
    • Dubai visa holders must apply for pre-entry approval through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
    • Travelers must have a valid COVID-19 PCR test certificate conducted within 48 hours of departure.
    • Travelers must conduct a rapid PCR test 4 hours before their scheduled departure.
    • Travelers must conduct a PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.
  • UAE citizens are now exempt from the above requirements except for completing a PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.
  • UAE residents flying from any of the above countries no longer need a COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter Dubai.

Additional Information: All other individuals who have been in one of the aforementioned countries within 14 days of intended arrival are barred from entering Dubai. Only PCR tests from certified labs that issue QR codes linking to the original results will be accepted.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The United Arab Emirates extended its travel ban for passenger flights from India until at least Aug. 7.

Key Points:

  • Passenger flights from India are suspended until at least Aug. 7. Travelers who have transited through India within 14 days of intended arrival will not be permitted entry into the country.
  • UAE citizens, golden visa permit holders, members of diplomatic missions and travelers on business flights who adhere to the revised COVID-19 policies are exempted from the restrictions.

Additional Information: Individuals who are traveling from or have transited through Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka within 14 days of intended arrival are also barred from entering the country until at least Aug. 7.

BAL Analysis: Passenger flights from India have been suspended since April 24. Those with urgent travel needs should work closely with their immigration provider to discuss the best available options. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The United Arab Emirates’ National Program for Coders announced it would start accepting Golden Visa applications from computer programming entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Key Points:

  • Golden Visas through the National Program for Coders are now available to residents and non-residents of the UAE.
  • Foreign nationals may apply for the Golden Visa through the Office of Artificial Intelligence or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship if they meet one of the following eligibility requirements.
    • They have a university degree in artificial intelligence, big data, data science, computer science, electrical engineering, hardware engineering, information technology or software engineering.
    • They are distinguished experts with proven success in coding.
    • They work for a leading international technology firm.

Additional Information: The new announcement coincides with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s directive to attract 100,000 computer coders and establish 1,000 major digital companies in the UAE over the next five years. More information about the Golden Visa can be found here.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The United Arab Emirates extended its travel ban for passenger flights from India until at least July 21.

Key Points:

  • Passenger flights from India are suspended until at least July 21. Travelers who have transited through India within 14 days of intended arrival will not be permitted entry into the country.
  • UAE citizens, Golden Visa holders, members of diplomatic missions and travelers on business flights who adhere to the revised COVID-19 policies are exempted from the restrictions.

Additional Information: Individuals who are traveling from or have transited through Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka within 14 days of intended arrival are also barred from entering the country until at least July 21.

BAL Analysis: Passenger flights from India have been suspended since April 24. Those with urgent travel needs should work closely with their immigration provider to discuss the best available options. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has started transitioning to a new version of the Emirates Identity Card as of June 10.

Key Points:

  • Residents applying to renew their Emirates Identity Card must use an electronic version of the card until printed cards are issued.
  • The electronic version of the ID is available on the “ICA UAE Smart” application

Additional Information: Utilizing a QR code within the app, data generated from the code is pulled directly from the ICA’s database, which allows service authorities the ability to verify residents’ identity when the printed card is not available.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals needing to renew their Emirates Identity Card will need to download the ICA UAE Smart app in order to access the electronic version of the ID.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@balglobal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The United Arab Emirates has extended its travel ban for passenger flights from India until at least July 6.

Key Points:

  • Passenger flights from India are suspended until at least July 6. Travelers who have transited through India within 14 days of intended arrival will not be permitted entry into the country.
  • UAE citizens, golden visa permit holders and members of diplomatic missions who adhere to the revised COVID-19 policies are exempted from the restrictions.

BAL Analysis: Passenger flights from India have been suspended since April 24. Those with urgent travel needs should work closely with their immigration provider to discuss the best available options. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.