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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The United Arab Emirates has eased requirements for sponsoring dependent spouses and children.
What does the change mean? UAE residents can now sponsor dependents provided the income of one or both spouses (family income) is at least AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 if the employer provides housing.
Additional information: Previously, eligibility to sponsor dependents was limited to men working in certain professions and women who made at least AED 10,000. Earlier this year, the UAE announced that the limitations by profession would be lifted and that residents would be able to sponsor dependents on the basis of the income qualifications listed above. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) announced on July 14 that the changes had been implemented. The ICA said that in order to sponsor dependents, applicants would not only need to meet the income thresholds but also provide proof of accommodation, health insurance, registration in the Population Register System and the issuance of an ID card for each dependent.
Analysis & Comments: The change expands the number of workers in the UAE who will be able to sponsor dependents for residency visas. This may provide foreign workers, particularly those in lower income jobs that were not covered by the previous rules, with a greater incentive to move to the UAE with their families.
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What is the change? Authorities have clarified that the UAE’s new Golden Card program is a long-term residence program, but not a permanent residence program.
What does the change mean? Foreign investors, top international specialists, researchers and high-performing students are now being invited to apply for Golden Cards, which are valid for up to 10 years and renewable indefinitely.
Background: Officials began issuing Golden Cards, as the long-term visas are known, in May. At the time, the program was described as a permanent residence program. Officials subsequently clarified that the Golden Cards will be valid for up to 10 years. Golden Cards are renewable, provided card holders continue to satisfy the terms of their visa and complete required renewal processes.
Analysis & Comments: While the Golden Card program is not a standard permanent residence program, it is nonetheless expected to boost the UAE’s economy by attracting business and foreign investment.
What is the change? The UAE is waiving visa fees for dependents traveling to the UAE for tourist purposes this summer.
What does the change mean? Dependents 18 years and younger will not need to pay visa fees between July 15 and Sept. 15. The change is expected to boost tourism during the off-peak season.
Background: The exemption was first announced by the UAE Cabinet in September last year. This will be the first year of its implementation.
Analysis & Comments: The change is good news for tourists as they will not need to pay visa fees for tourist stays this summer.
Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.
What is the change? The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced a multi-pronged Emiratisation program aimed at employing tens of thousands of Emiratis in public- and private-sector jobs this year. The plan will require private-sector employers to consider local candidates before applying for a work permit.
What does the change mean? Mainland companies seeking to hire in more than 300 designated professions in skill level 1-3 will be required to interview Emiratis who are selected by the ministry. The company will need to justify reasons for rejecting an Emirati before the ministry approves a work permit. Companies with fewer than 10 employees will be exempt.
Background: The labor market test is part of an ongoing Emiratisation strategy. The government is also implementing a national employment policy to train and prepare local workers and increase their participation in the labor market, and will introduce a program to promote self-employed individuals.
Analysis & Comments: The Emiratisation plan signals that UAE authorities continue to prioritize boosting local employment in certain industries and either restricting employment of foreign nationals in certain jobs or providing incentives for hiring and training Emiratis. The labor market testing provision requires mainland employers to adopt new recruiting procedures and is expected to be gradually implemented. It is not expected to be applied to free zones.
What is the change? The United Arab Emirates has launched a new Golden Card permanent residence program aimed at attracting foreign investors, top international specialists, researchers and high-performing students.
What does the change mean? The Golden Card plan builds on a program that was implemented last year to provide long-term visas to qualifying investors, specialists and students. The initial grants of permanent residency will likely be for business people and students who are already in the UAE and who will be given the opportunity to change their status and obtain a Golden Card.
Background: In May of last year, the UAE announced a program to provide five- and 10-year visas to leading investors, specialists and high-performing students. Officials have now taken another step and announced that many of these same people will be eligible for permanent residence in the UAE. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also recently announced new permanent residence programs.
Analysis & Comments: The Golden Card program will be the UAE’s first permanent residence program. The program follows a regional trend and is intended to boost the UAE’s economy by attracting more business and foreign investment to the country. About 6,800 residents will benefit from the scheme under the first round of applications.
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new job-classification system that lists occupations that foreign nationals are eligible to fill.
What does the change mean? Mainland employers will need to consult the list for appropriate job titles and descriptions and make sure that foreign nationals have the relevant degree certificates matching the jobs in order to qualify for work permits.
Background: The new scheme simplifies the previous scheme by reducing the number of jobs to fewer than 800 job titles classified into nine categories with a unique classification code. The previous scheme contained more than 3,000 job titles.
Analysis & Comments: The new job-classification system is one of the steps the UAE is taking toward greater Emiratisation and encouraging companies to hire local workers. Employers should anticipate that further steps are likely to follow from the job-title streamlining—for example, the government may move to restrict some job titles to Emirati nationals exclusively. Emiratisation measures that have always been strictly applied to state-owned companies are gradually being introduced for mainland-incorporation companies. While the UAE has announced that it will allow companies greater freedom by permitting 100-percent foreign-owned companies to incorporate on the mainland, the government will be looking to expand Emiratisation policies to cover foreign-owned mainland companies. Free-zone companies are not subject to Emiratisation initiatives and are unlikely to be for the foreseeable future.
What is the change? The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai has issued a reminder that all documents submitted in support of visa applications must be submitted in Arabic.
What does the change mean? Documents in English or any language other than Arabic are no longer accepted. The policy applies to all applications submitted in Dubai. Any documents originally in a language other than Arabic must be translated and certified.
Background: Arabic translation of supporting documents has been a long-standing requirement in Abu Dhabi. Until recently, authorities in Dubai would accept documents in English, but beginning in 2017, the policy began to change, especially for dependent visa applications. The Arabic-only policy is now being applied to all applications submitted in Dubai.
Analysis & Comments: To avoid delays in processing, employers and visa applicants should prepare to have all supporting documents translated into Arabic by a legal translator before they are submitted.
What is the change? Abu Dhabi authorities are increasingly rejecting or questioning supporting documents that are issued in Dubai or other emirates for foreign nationals who are applying for dependent visas. They will review submissions on a case-by-case basis and may request additional supporting documents or personal appearance of the sponsor.
What does the change mean? For new dependent visa applications, supporting documents should be issued by Abu Dhabi (for example, Tawtheeq, which regulates tenancy contracts, and Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, a water and electricity provider). For renewal of dependent visas, although Dubai-issued supporting documents are still being accepted, documents issued by Abu Dhabi are preferred; the policy is expected to change to one where authorities are less likely to accept Dubai-issued documents.
Analysis & Comments: Employers and expatriate employees should be aware that if they live in Dubai and submit a Dubai tenancy agreement in support of a dependent visa application, there is a high likelihood that Abu Dhabi authorities will require additional supporting evidence or reject the application. Although the policy is not absolute, it will have a widespread impact, as it is very common for expatriates to live in one emirate and work in another.
Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, for purposes London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.
What is the change? Travelers are now required to obtain permission to bring prescription medicine to the United Arab Emirates.
What does the change mean? Travelers must fill out a form online before bringing medicine to the UAE. They will be asked to upload supporting documentation, including a health report, prescription, the duration of their stay and passport or Emirates ID information. Medicine that is not declared prior to travel may be confiscated at the airport.
Background: The ministry instituted the change in October as part of its effort to enhance community health. The new rules apply to narcotics, psychotropic and controlled medicines. Travelers will generally not be required to obtain permission to bring over-the-counter medicine, provided it is for personal use.
Analysis & Comments: Travelers must be sure to seek and receive preapproval to bring any prescription medicine to the UAE. Those who fail to do so risk serious travel delays or even prosecution under UAE law. Anyone with questions about what medicines must be declared should contact their immigration professional.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
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What is the change? The United Arab Emirates has implemented key visa reforms.
What does the change mean? Under rules that took effect in October, visitors are allowed to extend visit visas without leaving the UAE, children of foreign workers are eligible for visas after completing university or secondary school, and widows and divorced women may receive one-year residence permits from the time of their divorce or the death of their husband.
Background: The changes were announced earlier this year and took effect Oct. 21. In each case, the changes ease processes for foreign nationals who, under old rules, would have been required to leave the UAE. Key changes:
Analysis & Comments: The changes are designed to ease visa and residence processes and will benefit visitors to the UAE, students and women who are divorced or widowed.