Tim Elliott
Welcome to Lawgical, the UAE’s first and only legal podcast. My name’s Tim Elliott. Lawgical comes to you from the Dubai-based legal firm HPL Yamalova & Plewka. And as ever, the managing partner is with me, Ludmila Yamalova. Good to see you.
Ludmila Yamalova
Good to see you, Tim.
Tim Elliott
I’m excited about this, Ludmila. This is a new law—fresh stuff to get our teeth into. I know you’ve had a chance to digest some of this, but it’s about immigration law. Lots to talk about.
We’ve just had, not even a month ago, Cabinet Decision Number 65 of this year. It’s basically the issuance of executive regulations of Federal Decree Law Number 29 of 2021. What’s that? It’s all about the entry and residence of foreigners.
Now, you’ve had a couple of weeks to digest what the new decisions cover. Broadly, what does this all mean?
Ludmila Yamalova
Broadly, at a very high level, this introduces many new types of visas, residence permits, and entry permits into the UAE. These changes make the UAE even more flexible, welcoming, and open to various categories of people—not just those coming to work but also those visiting, retiring, or looking for job opportunities.
The new regulations provide specific entry permits and visas for designated purposes, eliminating the need for applicants to create a fictitious reason for their visit. For example, in the past, people who wanted to look for a job had to come on a tourist visa or arrange some other unrelated visa. Now, there are specific job-seeker visas and other purpose-driven permits.
This is a highly welcome development. The UAE continues to be a desirable place to live, and these new laws make it easier for people to call the UAE home.
Tim Elliott
So, for example, there are now retiree visas and remote working visas?
Ludmila Yamalova
Exactly. If you’re a retiree or working remotely for a company based outside the UAE, you no longer need to set up your own company or rely on someone else to sponsor you. Now, you can apply for specific visas tailored to your needs.
This development reflects the UAE’s proactive approach to introducing new laws, especially since the COVID pandemic. During this period, the country has been very active in legislating and amending various laws, including those related to immigration and residency.
Tim Elliott
And this Cabinet Decision consolidates those changes?
Ludmila Yamalova
Yes. Over the past few years, different Emirates and authorities have introduced various immigration rules and regulations. This decision centralizes all those changes into one comprehensive legal framework.
The original law, Federal Decree Law Number 29 of 2021, laid the foundation for these changes. It referred to future executive regulations that would detail the types of visas and permits available.
Now, with Cabinet Decision Number 65 of 2022, those regulations are here. This decision, issued on July 15, 2022, will come into effect on September 5, 2022.
Tim Elliott
So, what are the key categories covered by this decision?
Ludmila Yamalova
The regulations define five broad categories of entry permits and residency visas:
- Visit Permits: Includes tourism, business setup, education and training, job-seeker, and work mission visas.
- Temporary or Urgent Visas: Includes transit, aircraft crew, seaman, and emergency entry visas.
- Work or Employment Visas: Includes employment and green residency visas.
- Residency Permits: Covers students, remote workers, retirees, property owners, dependents, and humanitarian cases.
- GCC Residents and Companions: Specific permits for GCC residents and companions of GCC citizens.
Under each category, there are multiple subcategories that cater to specific needs.
Tim Elliott
The job-seeker visa sounds like a significant step forward.
Ludmila Yamalova
It is. Previously, job seekers had to come on a tourist visa or other unrelated visa, which was less than ideal. Now, they can apply for a dedicated job-seeker visa, allowing them to explore opportunities legally and with clarity.
Tim Elliott
You mentioned “green residency” earlier. What does that entail?
Ludmila Yamalova
Green residency is a game-changer. It allows individuals to become their own sponsors. This category includes:
- Investors: Those investing in property or businesses.
- Highly Skilled Workers: Professionals like doctors or engineers who can work independently without being tied to a single employer.
- Freelancers: Creative professionals, artists, athletes, and others who want to work independently.
This flexibility empowers individuals to take control of their residency without relying on traditional sponsorship.
Tim Elliott
And there’s even a visa for divorced or widowed women?
Ludmila Yamalova
Yes. There’s now a specific residence visa for foreign women who are divorced or widowed. This provides much-needed stability for women facing such life changes, allowing them to remain in the UAE without undue stress.
Tim Elliott
It seems like the UAE is really focusing on inclusivity and efficiency.
Ludmila Yamalova
Absolutely. These regulations make the visa process more streamlined and efficient, catering to the diverse needs of the population. They also reflect the UAE’s commitment to attracting and retaining talent while ensuring fairness and clarity.
Tim Elliott
That’s another episode of Lawgical. The new, updated immigration law is a big step forward for the UAE.
Our legal expert here on Lawgical, as always, is Ludmila Yamalova, managing partner at Yamalova & Plewka. Thank you, Ludmila.
Ludmila Yamalova
Thank you, Tim.
Tim Elliott
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