The Emirati government announced that foreign nationals on expired residence permits will now be granted a two-month grace period to resolve their immigration status.

Key Points:

  • The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security is now allowing individuals a two-month grace period to regularize their status or depart the country without penalty.
  • Officials stated that all necessary measures will be taken to implement this initiative, including waiving fines and legal consequences, so that individuals will have the opportunity to either adjust their status or leave the country more easily.

Additional Information: The current penalty for overstay on an expired residence permit is 50 AED (about US$14) per day.

BAL Analysis: The initiative aims to provide foreign nationals with a new opportunity to regularize their status. BAL will provide further updates on the implementation of this new policy as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 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 introduced a new initiative that will assist individuals with applying for health insurance concurrently with their tourist visa.

Key Points:

  • The project will be managed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
  • The new policy will allow tourists to obtain health insurance through the ICP online platform while applying for their visas.

Additional Information: The government hopes to facilitate greater tourism by easing access to health coverage through automation within the electronic visa application platform. Within the platform, pricing and issuance of insurance packages from all major insurers will be completed. The issuance of the tourist visa is still at the discretion of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs. BAL will provide further updates on the implementation of this program as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 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 Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization provided a reminder to employers of 50 or more workers to meet their Emiratization targets for the first half of 2024, as compliance monitoring began as of July 1.

Key Points:

  • Noncompliant employers will face a 42,000 AED (about US$11,400) fine for each Emirati not appointed according to the semiannual Emiratization targets.
  • Further violations will result in the government reducing the number of employees or modifying their classification.
  • Officials provided further information on the Nafis platform, which lists qualified Emirati nationals seeking employment across various specializations who possess the required skills. Companies falling short of their Emiratization targets may benefit from using this platform.

Additional Information: The current target is a 1% increase in the number of Emiratis in skilled jobs at companies with 50 or more employees for the first half of 2024. Emiratization targets require these employers to increase the number of Emirati employees in skilled positions by 1% every six months, ultimately achieving a 2% Emiratization by the end of each year. Employers are expected to achieve a 10% Emiratization rate by the end of 2026.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 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.

Indian nationals are now required to apply for a pre-approved entry permit to obtain a visa on arrival in the United Arab Emirates.

Key Points:

  • Indian nationals who hold valid status in the U.S., U.K. or EU are required to apply for a pre-approved entry permit to be granted a visitor entry visa upon arrival. This status is valid for a period of 14 days and can be extended for a similar period for one time only. Previously, a visa on arrival could be obtained without advance visa arrangements.
  • To be eligible, applicants must possess an Indian passport and either: a U.S. visit visa, U.S. green card, U.K. residence visa or an EU residence visa valid for a minimum of six months. Passengers must have a printed e-visa confirmation — applications can be completed here.

BAL Analysis: Indian nationals are advised to apply for a pre-approved entry permit before travel to the UAE. Passports and other documents accepted for entry must be valid for a minimum of six months from the arrival date. The issuance of the visa on arrival is at the discretion of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs. BAL will provide further updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 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 has provided additional details on the new Gulf Cooperation Council tourist visa as well as announced a new gaming visa to boost tourism.

Key Points:

  • The new tourist visa will be called the GCC Grand Tours visa and will be available by the end of 2024.
  • The visa will be similar to the Schengen visa, allowing foreign nationals to travel on one multiple-entry tourist visa through the six GCC member states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
    • Additional details are yet to be confirmed, but it is expected that the visa may allow for an extended 30-day tourism stay — longer than the currently permitted maximum — and no additional fees to apply for eligible travelers who hold a passport valid for at least six months.
  • In addition, Dubai has launched a gaming visa initiative as part of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033.
    • The long-term cultural visa is designed to welcome artists and creators under the creative and talented accreditation certificate.
    • Individuals must submit their applications via the official website, be at least 25 years old and are required to submit a copy of their passport along with their professional CV.

Additional Information: UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also recently announced an update to its visa exemption policy that allows nationals from 87 countries to enter without a pre-entry visa. The full list of eligible countries can be found here. The government has undertaken several measures recently to expedite and attract foreign travel.

BAL Analysis: The announcement of a Schengen-style tourist visa for the GCC member states is a highly anticipated development. Foreign nationals are currently required to obtain separate tourist visas to travel to these countries, and the governments hope that a unified tourist visa will simplify travel for its citizens and boost each nation’s economies.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 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 has reached an agreement with the Republic of Armenia on a mutual visa-free policy.

Key Points:

  • Citizens of both countries will be able to travel without the need to apply for an entry visa as long as they hold a passport with at least six months of validity.
  • Eligibility will vary from nationality to nationality, and visa fees may apply for individuals above the age of 18.
  • Travelers will be allowed a maximum stay of 90 days within a 180-day period.

Additional Information: The Emirati government has introduced various measures recently to increase inbound travel from foreign tourists. A separate mutual visa-free travel agreement with Uzbekistan was recently announced. The agreement will allow citizens holding passports with at least six months of validity to enter and stay for a period of up to 30 days per visit.

BAL Analysis: The new agreements are designed to help foster stronger ties and make exploration and cultural exchange between other countries more accessible. The Emirati government also hopes to create opportunities for increased tourism to stimulate economic growth.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 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 UAE’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs has suspended the employment sponsorship visa transfer option across free zones for companies.

‌Key Points:

  • Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced that visa transfer services have been suspended effective immediately to all free zones until further notice.
  • Companies can no longer apply for a visa transfer application from free zone to free zone and must now follow the standard immigration process.
  • All applications for residence visa transfers will be managed through a new visa service. Individuals seeking to transfer their visa must first apply for cancellation and then proceed with an application under the new visa service.

Additional Information: There are no changes for a new residence visa application, and the same in-country visa amendment and change status process is still applicable. The suspension applies only to visa transfer applications for company employees operating from free zone to free zone.

BAL Analysis: This suspension creates extra steps in the visa application process. Employees should expect longer processing times before they can begin work, and employers should expect to pay additional fees. Authorities have not yet announced whether the suspension is a temporary or permanent change. BAL will provide updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 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 Emirati government has announced that it will expand its Emiratization requirements to small businesses in 2024.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, businesses in certain industries with 20 to 49 employees must meet the semiannual Emiratization requirement to avoid penalties. Industries impacted by the requirement include:
    • Administrative and support services.
    • Arts and entertainment.
    • Construction.
    • Education.
    • Financial and insurance activities.
    • Formation and communications.
    • Healthcare and social work.
    • Hospitality and residency services.
    • Mining and quarrying.
    • Professional and technical activities.
    • Real estate.
    • Transformative industries.
    • Transportation and warehousing.
    • Wholesale and retail.
  • Companies with 20 to 49 employees who fail to employ at least one Emirati in 2024 will face a fine of 96,000 AED (about US$26,000). The fine will increase to 108,000 AED for businesses that do not hire at least two Emiratis in 2025.
  • Further violations include reducing the number of employees or modifying their classification or any other method to circumvent the Emiratization targets.

Background: Previously, Emiratization targets only required employers with 50 employees or more to increase the number of its Emirati employees in skilled positions by 1% every six months, ultimately achieving a 2% Emiratization by the end of each year. Employers are expected to achieve a 10% Emiratization rate by the end of 2026.

BAL Analysis: The Emirati government announced the Emiratization program expansion to increase the number of Emirati nationals employed in the private sector. Employers should plan ahead to ensure they meet the new employment requirements to avoid applicable fines.

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

Copyright © 2023 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 Emirati government has extended the deadline for employers with 50 or more employees to meet the semiannual Emiratization requirement.

Key Points:

  • Employers with 50 or more employees now have until July 7 to meet the semiannual Emiratization requirement.
  • Beginning July 8, noncompliant employers will face a 42,000 AED (about US$11,400) financial fine for each Emirati not appointed according to the semiannual Emiratization targets.
  • Further violations will result in the government reducing the number of employees or modifying their classification or any other method to circumvent the Emiratization targets.

Background: Emiratization targets require employers with 50 or more employees to increase the number of Emirati employees in skilled positions by 1% every six months, ultimately achieving a 2% Emiratization by the end of each year. Employers are expected to achieve a 10% Emiratization rate by the end of 2026.

BAL Analysis: Emirati authorities delayed the deadline to meet the Emiratization requirement in consideration of the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday. Employers should plan ahead to ensure they meet the new employment requirements to avoid applicable fines.

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

Copyright © 2023 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 Emirati government has ended its grace period policy for foreign nationals who overstay their visitor visa in Dubai.

Key Points:

  • Visitor visa holders will no longer be given a 10-day grace period if they overstay their visa in Dubai. Previously, visitors were able to stay in Dubai 10 days past their visa’s expiration date without being fined.
  • Those who overstay their visitor visa in Dubai will be fined 50 AED (about US$13.60) per day.
  • Visitor visa holders can apply for a 30-day extension visa through authorized travel or tourism companies.

Additional Information: Dubai is the last emirate to remove the 10-day overstay grace period. All visitor visas holders must leave the country or extend their visa to avoid overstay fines. This regulation does not affect nationalities eligible for 30- or 90-day visas on arrival.

BAL Analysis: The Emirati government ended the 10-day overstay grace period for visitor visas in Dubai to align its policies with the rest of the country. Visitor visa holders who need to stay in the country beyond their visa’s validity should apply for an extension to avoid fines and complications.

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

Copyright © 2023 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.