UAE’s federal citizenship authority says 6,000 applications received in a week from investors seeking long-term UAE visas.
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) received 6,000 applications in a week from investors and entrepreneurs for the UAE’s long-term residency visas, the authority revealed as it announced the launch of three new UAE visa services, including a six-month visa for investors, entrepreneurs, and talented students and individuals.
As part of the six-month visa service, ICA will issue Emirates IDs for those seeking single or multiple trips to the country to complete procedures related to their investment, such as direct licensing, opening bank accounts, and registering property, among others.
In a statement, ICA explained: “Three new services have been added: a six-month visa with several trips to complete the procedures for residency of an investor; a six-month visa with several trips to complete long-term residency procedures for both entrepreneurs and outstanding students; [and] a six-month visa with only one trip to complete the residency procedures for talented individuals.”
Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports, Maj Gen Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, said: “There is a great demand on these facilities, which contribute actively to enhancing the attractiveness of the UAE as a distinct investment environment.”
According to Al Rashidi, the six-month visa will help individuals seeking long-term residency in the UAE, and offer them the chance to identify opportunities in their fields of interest by visiting the UAE to review facilities of their interest.
The latest round of visas follow a March 2019 announcement by UAE Cabinet, chaired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to approve the regulatory framework for the issuance of 10-year residence visa applications by investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, and talented professionals from technical fields.
In January 2019, the UAE named the first recipients of its long-term, 10-year visas, which included winners of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence’s first and second editions, as well as 18 other shortlisted experts comprising mechanical and electrical engineering experts.
To know more about the conditions that must be met by those seeking these visas, please visit the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship’s website.