UAE Golden Visa holders can now sponsor their parents for 10-year residency, Khaleej Times reports. On October 3, a significantly expanded Golden Visa scheme went into effect.
According to Firosekhan, operation manager at Arabian Business Centre (Amer Centre - Sheikh Zayed Road): "We issued a 10-year Golden Visa to the parents of a 10-year visa holder." Previously, these used to be issued for a year like it is done for normal residency holders.”
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) confirmed the development.
Expat employees who want to sponsor parents for a year's stay in the UAE must "pay a deposit as a guarantee for each parent as stipulated by their respective immigration department".
In the case of Golden Visa holders, a deposit is not required to be made to sponsor parents. They need to submit a document issued by their respective consulates stating that they are the sole caretakers of their parents,” said Firosekhan.
UAE residency visa holders can sponsor their parents if they earn at least Dh20,000 a month. This salary requirement, too, does not apply to Golden Visa holders, Firosekhan added.
Golden Visas have been issued to hundreds of thousands of eligible residents since they were first introduced. The 10-year visa costs between Dh2,800 and Dh3,800.
The new residency and visit visa system went into effect on October 3. It introduced new residency tracks and entry permits, and simplified existing options. Among the changes was an expanded Golden Visa scheme, allowing more categories of people to get the coveted 10-year visa.
Those with Golden Visas can stay outside the UAE for up to six months without affecting their residency status.
Golden Visa holders can sponsor children of any age. There is also no cap on the number of support staff they can sponsor.
Now that the minimum salary requirement has been lowered from Dh50,000 to Dh30,000, more skilled professionals can apply for long-term residency. Disciplines include medicine, sciences and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture and social sciences.
As per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, applicants should have a valid employment contract in the UAE, and be classified in the first or second occupational level.
When purchasing a property worth at least Dh2 million, investors can obtain the long-term visa, even with a loan from a "specific local bank." Off-plan properties are also allowed from "approved local real estate companies."
Also Read: Dh10,000 Minimum Salary Needed To Sponsor 5 Relatives