UAE plans to introduce new visa system

06 February 2017

The new visa category will focus on attracting exceptional foreign talent to the country

The UAE plans to introduce a new visa system that focuses on “attracting exceptional talent”, according to Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.

“The new system aims to attract entrepreneurs, pioneers and talented minds in medical, scientific, research, information technology and intellectual sectors,” Sheikh Mohammed said on his Twitter account after chairing a cabinet meeting.

The series of tweets from Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the ruler of Dubai, described UAE as the country of “vast opportunity”, which aims to provide a tolerant environment that can nurture potential and support foreign talent.

“Future prosperity lies in the creative minds of our people. Investing in people is an investment in our economy and success,’ the Sheikh Mohammed without elaborating the mechanism of the new visa system or the criteria for the foreign talent.

UAE, currently does not offer permanent residencies to expatriate workers.

Sheikh Mohammed has also ordered to set up committees tasked with identifying the sectors that will be open for specialised visas, and to “draw a plan to attract the most notable, exceptional regional and international talents,” according to a statement carried by the official WAM news agency.

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