ICA starts to receive Long-term UAE residency visas applications for Entrepreneurs and Specialized Talents

ICA announced that it has initiated starting from today, the implementation of the Cabinet Decree No. 56 of 2018 regarding the Organization of Residency Permits for Investors, Entrepreneurs and people with specialized talents. It also announced the launching of the link designated for applying for these services, which will be exclusively accessed via ICA’s e-channels and the smart application (ICA UAE Smart Services).

HE Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports at ICA confirmed that anyone who wishes to benefit from the distinguished and newly introduced services included in the Decree can submit applications, accompanied with the supporting documents identified for each category, starting from today.

Al Rashidi made these statements at a media briefing organized by ICA today in the Headquarters of the General Directorate of Identity in Khalifa City – Abu Dhabi, to announce the Decree related implementing mechanisms. Al Rashidi expressed loyalty and fidelity to the State wise leadership for its support to enable ICA to develop its services provided to nationals and residents and promoting them to reach the highest global standards. He further expressed, on behalf of all the nationals and residents living on this blessed land, gratitude for ICA for the efforts it exerts to achieve prosperity and progress in UAE, and providing a decent life for all.

He further added that the leadership wise directives are always focused on making all those who live in UAE happy and making things easier for them. Thus, UAE remains the resort of all those seeking security and peace for themselves, their families and their monies, and the place where the dreams of those seeking success and excellence are achieved.

His warm words of thanks and appreciation were directed to UAE Government for the enablers it provides to ICA to enhance its contributions in achieving its goals for the interest of our beloved country on one hand and to serve customers and those wishing to visit it and live on its land on the other. This was clearly reflected in the recent series of decrees issued by the Cabinet, with a view to facilitate the procedures for issuing visas and residency permits for all categories, and attract talents, competencies, and investments to UAE, making it a center for civilization and science, as well as a global incubator for investments.

Beneficiaries

Al Rashidi enumerated the categories to benefit from the Cabinet Decree namely, public investors, real estate investors, entrepreneurs, people with specialized talents, researchers in the fields of science and knowledge, innovators, and outstanding students with promising abilities. He explained that the first category includes investors in public investments via a deposit or establishing a company or having shares in it with not less than AED 10 million. Their non-real estate investments shouldn’t be less than 60% of the total investments and investors should hold full ownership of the invested amount, i.e. not a loan, and should prove that they reserve rights of investments for three years as a minimum. Their financial liabilities should not be encumbered by claims that impair their creditworthiness to pay AED 10 million.

Those included in this category are granted a ten-year renewable visa, in addition to the possibility of having partnered with a condition that each partner should invest. A ten-year residency visa can also be issued for spouse and children, one executive director, and one advisor. This category can also get a six-month validity entry visa with permits for multiple travels.

Real Estate Investors

Al Rashidi highlighted the conditions which shall be satisfied by the applicants for real estate investors residency visa. Total investments in real estate should not be less than AED 5 million, and investors should hold full ownership of the invested amount, i.e. not a loan. They should prove that they reserve rights of investments for three years as a minimum and that their financial liabilities should not be encumbered by claims that impair their creditworthiness. He further illustrated that the investors satisfying the conditions of this category are granted a five-year residency visa, in addition to for spouse and children, and a five-year residency visa for one executive director and one advisor. This category can also get a six-month validity entry visa with permits for multiple travels.

Entrepreneurs are classified in the third category, which includes those owning a project with a value of not less than AED 500,000, and those obtaining approval from a business incubator accredited in the State. Entrepreneurs who satisfy these conditions are granted a five-year residency visa and become qualified for the investors’ permanent residency visa if they satisfy the conditions of the investors’ category. They are also granted a five-year residency visa for spouse and children and a similar one for three executive directors. This category has the opportunity to get a six-month validity entry visa with permits for multiple travels, renewable for a similar period.

Specialized Talents

Furthermore, Al Rashidi talked about the conditions and special benefits provided to the specialized talents and researchers in the fields of science and knowledge, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals in the field of culture and art. The applicants under this category should have a valid employment contract and should be specialized in a field of priority in UAE. The qualified applicants are granted a ten-year renewable residency visa and a ten-year residency visa for spouse and children.

outstanding students     

Al Rashidi also stated that the facilities in the Decree included the outstanding students who got at least 95% in a secondary school in the public and private schools, with a distinction of 3.75 GPA upon graduation from any university whether inside UAE or abroad. The applicants under this category are granted a five-year renewable residency visa and a five-year renewable residency visa for their families.

Six-Month Validity Visa

HE Major General Al Rashidi indicated that people from outside UAE can get a six-month validity multiple-entry visa renewable for similar periods, by submitting an application through the e-channels system, which is available as a public service that does not require the applicant to sign in.

Responding to a question on the specialized talents category, Al Rashidi illustrated that the specializations covered by this category are open and related submitted applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of members of the relevant government ministries and authorities. This Committee is mandated to decide whether the submitted application satisfy conditions or not, based on a number of standards approved by the Committee. He further added that any number of applications submitted can be accepted for the indicated categories and that all applicants who satisfy the set conditions and standards will benefit with no hinders.

Answering a question on the purpose of issuing the six-month validity visa with multiple travels for those who wish to benefit from the Decree, Al Rashidi revealed that the aim is to enable those wishing to apply for a long term residency visas to visit the UAE and explore the available opportunities in terms of investment, scientific researches, and creation. Thus they can take the decision of applying for a residency visa or not. He explained that those who get this visa will be treated as residents, regarding the issuance of the ID card to be able to complete investment procedures and all transactions required under the category of application. Ultimately, they can get a long term visa after satisfying the established requirements.