Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Skilled workers and professionals are now eligible for UAE's Golden Visa! Usually offered to investors and entrepreneurs, working professionals in the UAE can now also get the ten-year residency permit, highlighting the country's commitment to recognizing individuals who contribute to the nation's growth and well-being. To be eligible, professionals must meet specific criteria. This requires having a valid employment contract in the UAE for a job classified under occupational levels 1 or 2 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Level 1 – Managers and Business Executives Level 2 – Professionals in the fields of Sciences, Engineering, Health, Education, Business and Management, Information Technology, Law, Sociology, and Culture Applicants must also possess a bachelor's degree and meet a monthly salary requirement of Dh30,000 and above. Requirements - (For expats working for a mainland company) Ministry of Labour contract which must show a total salary of Dh30,000 or above - (For expats working for a free zone company) Salary certificate issued by the relevant free zone authority, confirming a salary of Dh30,000 and above. - Bank statements for the past six months that show your monthly salary being deposited. The statement should clearly show the salary amount; it should not be immediately withdrawn the next day. If you transfer your salary to another bank right after deposit, you will also need to submit a statement from that second bank showing the transfer. - A verified degree certificate (bachelor’s or higher), along with a university degree equivalency. The degree must be authenticated by the UAE embassy in the candidate's home country and the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. - A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the company (on letterhead), allowing the employee to hold Golden Residency. The NOC must be signed by the HR manager or an authorised representative and include the company stamp. - Golden Visa nomination letter from specific ministries - Comprehensive health insurance for himself and family members. - Passport with visa page - Personal passport-sized photo How to apply If you meet the above requirements, there are two ways to apply, depending on your location in the country. Dubai You can apply through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) smart application or the official web portal gdrfad.gov.ae . You can also visit one of the GDRFA-approved typing centres or visa processing centres. Digital channels (website/smart application): - Log in to the smart services system using UAE Pass or your username. - Find the service you need to apply for. - Complete the application details, if needed. - Pay the required fees: - Residence permit fee: Dh1,100 - Knowledge fee: Dh10 - Innovation fee: Dh10 - In-country processing fee: Dh500 - Delivery fee: Dh20 Note: The issuance fee increases by Dh100 each year if the residency is valid for more than two years. Other emirates You can apply through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICA). You can either access the ICA's online services or visit an ICA-approved typing centre. Applying through ICP: - Visit ICP's website - On the homepage, scroll down to "Services" in the left panel - Select "Golden Visa" (last option) - Choose the category you wish to apply for and follow the steps - Create an account - After verifying your account, log in and apply for nomination - Complete and submit your application, either through the website, smart mobile app, or by visiting a registration center. - Finalize the process and pay the fees You will receive an SMS and email confirming receipt of your application, followed by another update via SMS and email indicating your application is in process. Customer happiness centre: - Go to the nearest Customer Happiness Centre - Take an automated queue ticket and wait for your turn - Submit the completed application, along with any required documents, to the customer service representative - Pay the service fee Amer service centre: - Go to the nearest Amer service center - Take a queue ticket and wait for your turn - Submit the completed application, with the required documents, to the customer service agent - Pay the service fee FLE/Expat Media
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