The UAE on Monday unveiled a series of visa rule updates aimed at attracting artificial intelligence specialists, boosting live event tourism and expanding support for people fleeing war zones and natural disasters.
New visit visa categories for experts in artificial intelligence, entertainment, events, cruise ships and leisure boats were introduced under the strategy.
Also announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) were amendments to durations, conditions and eligibility requirements of a number of existing visas.
The changes have been made to support the UAE’s strategy of promoting global openness, attracting talent, entrepreneurs and specialists, particularly in technology, artificial intelligence, entertainment and tourism, the ICP announced on Monday.
The decision reflects studies conducted by the authority on residency and foreign affairs trends domestically, regionally and internationally, said Maj Gen Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, director general of the ICP.
“These updates address the needs of applicants, consider humanitarian and economic circumstances, and encourage individuals to live, work and explore opportunities in the UAE,” he said.
“They will improve quality of life, support trade and transport, enhance technology sectors and boost the country’s global competitiveness.”
New visas
- AI specialists visa: Issued for single or multiple entries for a specific period, subject to a letter from a host or sponsoring technology company
- Entertainment visa: For foreigners visiting temporarily for leisure purposes
- Event visa: For those attending festivals, exhibitions, conferences, seminars, or cultural, economic, sports, religious, or educational activities
- Maritime tourism visa: Multiple-entry visa for tourists arriving on cruise ships or leisure boats, subject to an approved travel itinerary and a licensed host company.
Changes to existing visas
A humanitarian residence permit, for a one-year period, available to people from countries at war or hit by a natural disaster, can now be obtained without a sponsor. If the holder of the permit leaves the UAE, then the permit will be cancelled.
Widows and divorced women can now obtain residency without a sponsor. The amendments allow the widow or divorced woman to obtain residency within six months of the death of the husband – or of the divorce – providing she is still in the country and the sponsor was the husband before the divorce or death.
Visit visas for friends and relatives will allow sponsorship depending on the sponsor's income. For first-degree relatives, the sponsor must earn at least Dh4,000 ($1,090) a month, and Dh8,000 for second or third-degree relatives. To sponsor a friend will require a minimum monthly income of Dh15,000.
Business exploration visas will require proof of solvency aligned with intended business activity, or evidence of professional practice through an existing company abroad.
Foreign lorry drivers can now obtain single or multiple-entry visas, sponsored by a licensed freight, or transport company, with health insurance and financial guarantees required.
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Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
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Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
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- Never over populated areas
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- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
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Related
Where to donate in the UAE
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
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Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
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