Launching the upgraded version of the UAE passport
Experimental application of the updated visa system, October 3rd
Valid passport holders can use their passport until its expiry date approaches.
Photography: Patrick Castillo
Photography: Najeeb Mohamed
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The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security announced the launch of the third generation of advanced services, which include the upgraded version of the UAE passport, starting today, as well as the start of the pilot application of the updated visa system, which will enter into force as of October 3.
The authority announced the dispensation of the sponsor system entirely, within the new visa system, and reliance on the existing contractual relationship between the worker and the employer, and there will be great flexibility in receiving services and obtaining the visa in record time, as well as increasing the period of stay of the foreigner after the expiry or cancellation of his residence within The state from one month may extend to six months.
The authority confirmed during a press conference held yesterday evening that investors, businessmen, residents, visitors, talents and skills, and those looking for job opportunities in the country can benefit from the new benefits included in the updated visa system in the country after the issuance of the new executive regulations for the residence and foreign affairs law in the country.
The authority said that all categories can take advantage of the new advantages of the updated visa system by entering the authority's website and smart application to learn about these advantages and apply for them through the site and application, and the customer happiness centers spread in the country after the start of the implementation of the new regulation on the third of next October.
The Director General of the authority, Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, noted the decision of the Council of Ministers to adopt the executive regulations of the decree by federal law regarding the entry and residence of foreigners in the United Arab Emirates at this important time.
He said that the new Emirati passport and the issuance of the new regulation, which will be implemented on the 3rd of next October, with its included advantages, facilities and new and diverse categories of visas, meet the desire, ambitions and hopes of citizens, residents, investors and those wishing to work and live in the UAE, and it also reflects the keenness of the wise leadership. The leadership of the UAE, taking into account the human and social dimension of residents in the country, reuniting families and improving their quality of life, as well as directing the potential energies of talents and experts to contribute to increasing economic growth rates and supporting the process of sustainable development, as well as attracting capital and talents from all over the world.
He stressed that the updated visa system represents a qualitative leap in the field of entry and residence of foreigners at the regional and international levels, as it embodies the principles and the fifty-year plan adopted by the wise leadership to advance the country during the next 50 years, and embodies the concepts of coexistence and human brotherhood on which the UAE was founded.
He pointed out that the updated visas include simplified conditions, controls, procedures and new facilities that support the authority's approach and practices in providing proactive services in the spirit and thought of 50, and meet the future needs of all categories of foreigners and residents, and make the UAE an oasis for living, work, innovation and investment.
Al Khaili said that the new Emirati passport is in line with the directions of the wise leadership to move towards the smart government and provide security and safety for the citizen, as well as being a step added to the balance of the UAE in the field of strengthening the national identity, issuing passports and identity cards and providing proactive services to customers.
He added that holders of valid passports can use their passports until their expiry date approaches, and then apply for the new passport through the electronic and smart channels approved in this regard, whether the website or the smart application of the authority or through the country's representative missions represented in its embassies and consulates. Abroad, to issue a new passport for citizens traveling abroad whose passports have expired during their travels.
Al-Khaili stressed that the renewal of passports and obtaining a new one does not entail any additional costs or financial fees in the event of renewal, and that the issuance of the new passport is carried out with the same approved fees.
He added: “The new Emirati passport includes a new design that is in line with the spirit of the times and reflects the modern Emirati identity and makes carrying it a distinctive experience that adds pleasure to the holder during travel. It is also characterized by high technical and security characteristics, both in terms of the materials used in printing the passport or the capabilities and characteristics of printing. .
The new generation of the passport is printed using laser and polycarbonate material, not paper, which makes it difficult to damage, tear or forge, and provides faster printing and a greater degree of security.”
He pointed out that with the issuance of the new Emirati passport, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security is moving in providing the UAE passport service from centralization to decentralization, by printing the new passport in seven centers at the state level instead of only two centers in the past, which means faster service and effort. less.
For his part, Director General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at the authority, Major General Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi, said that the new executive regulations for the decree by a federal law regarding the entry and residence of foreigners in the UAE, will enter into official implementation on the third of next October.
He explained that the new regulation includes an updated visa system that contributes to supporting the sustainable development process and the policy of economic diversification, by attracting skilled workers, scientific competencies, experienced people, creative people and skilled specialists, which leads to raising the level of productivity and enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.
Al Nuaimi added: “The updated visa system is characterized by the multiplicity of residency types and the addition of new ones, to suit all categories of investors, entrepreneurs, talented scientists, specialists, first students, graduates, pioneers of humanitarian work, the first line of defense and skilled workers in all fields, in addition to alleviating burdens, simplifying procedures and adding advantages. This will contribute to improving the quality of life and making the experience of living, working and investing in the UAE an enjoyable and happy one.”
General Director of Support Services at the authority, Major General Khamis Al Kaabi, said that the authority was able, within a short period of time, to take all measures to ensure the successful implementation of the updated visa system, fulfill all requirements, and complete transactions on time to make customers happy, improve their well-being and achieve their aspirations and hopes for stability, living and working in the UAE.
He added: "The new executive regulation for the entry and residence of foreigners, which will come into force on the third of next October, includes an integrated system of residency with great advantages and facilities, most notably the green residency, which is granted for a period of five years, subject to renewal, and includes greater advantages for the recruitment of family members residing in the country. Flexible grace periods of up to six months after the expiry or cancellation of the residence permit.
He pointed out that the green residency includes three types of categories or residencies, which are the green residency for the skilled worker, the green residency for self-employment, in addition to the green residency for the investor or partner in a commercial activity without a guarantor for a period of five years, subject to renewal, to replace the investor's previous residency for two years. With simpler terms and greater benefits, and allowing those holders of green residency to bring in first-degree relatives.
He added: "A visa has been created to explore job opportunities, and another to explore investment and business opportunities to attract investors without a guarantor or host inside the country, according to the conditions set forth in the new executive regulations."
With regard to the advantages of golden residency in the new regulation of the residency and foreign affairs law in the country, Al-Kaabi said that the updated visa system included new advantages for golden residency, the most important of which is the abolition of the requirement not to be absent from the state to retain the golden residency, the abolition of the maximum number of support service workers that can be recruited, and the advantages of For family members that allow them to stay in the country for the duration of their residency in the event of the death of the breadwinner who obtained the golden residency, in addition to diversifying the categories of golden residency to include scholars, specialists, and talented talents, in accordance with the established regulations in this regard.
He stated, that the real estate investor can obtain the golden residency when buying a property with a loan from one of the local banks approved in this regard, or when buying one or more properties off the map with a value of not less than two million dirhams from approved local companies, and the new regulation also included flexible and simplified procedures to grant Accommodation for the category of entrepreneurship, early students and graduates to give a better opportunity for residence and work.
He added: "The updated visa system included new advantages for the residence of family members, including allowing the foreigner residing in the country to easily bring in his family members such as the husband and children, and the age of the children to be granted residency was raised to 25 years after the age was only 18, in addition to granting a residence permit. For unmarried girls, and sons of people of determination, regardless of age.
• There are no additional costs or financial fees in case of issuing or renewing the UAE passport.
• Abandoning the sponsorship system entirely and relying on the existing contractual relationship between the worker and the employer.
• Printing the new UAE passport in 7 centers across the country, which means faster service and less effort.
• Green residence for a period of 5 years, subject to renewal, instead of the residence of an investor, and greater advantages for bringing in residents' families.
Shift towards fully smart services
The Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship and Customs, Ali Muhammad Al Shamsi, affirmed that the launch of the third generation of developed services reaffirms the authority's full commitment to the directives of the wise leadership to shift towards fully smart services, and its constant keenness to implement government plans and strategies, and to launch towards new horizons in developing services and innovation. Proactive services that meet the needs of customers.
He pointed out that the third generation of the developed services system is comprehensive and not limited to one category without any other beneficiary groups, as this generation targets citizens, residents and visitors, through a comprehensive and diverse system of services, systems, projects and national practical and scientific initiatives.
He continued, "The issuance of the new generation of developed services is an important step in the path of fifty, and the strengthening of the UAE's position in international airports and tourist sites, and the authority has an ambitious future vision to launch services towards new horizons during the coming decades."
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