• The UAE has announced two new visa categories – green visa and freelance visa
• Top students, investors, businessmen, and those with specialized skills are eligible to get the green visa

The UAE has unveiled a pair of innovative visa categories – the green visa and freelance visa – as part of its strategic drive to entice global talent to fuel its ambitious economic transformation agenda.

Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, took to the podium at a press event in Dubai to detail the eligibility parameters. Distinguished students, astute investors, enterprising businessmen, and individuals endowed with specialized skills stand eligible for the coveted green visa.

Under the green visa umbrella, beneficiaries enjoy the privilege of sponsoring their parents and progeny up to the age of 25. Moreover, upon visa expiration, a notably extended grace period ranging from 90 to 180 days will be granted, a significant departure from the conventional UAE visa norms.

For independent business owners and aspiring freelancers, the freelance visa option presents a promising avenue, as highlighted by the minister.

These pivotal announcements unfolded amidst a press gathering at the prestigious Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai, strategically timed shortly after the government’s unveiling of 50 landmark projects in commemoration of the UAE’s 50th anniversary.

Stay tuned for forthcoming press briefings in the weeks ahead, promising further elucidation on the various facets of the 50-project initiative.