UAE unveils expat worker 10 year visas

The surprise announcement by the UAE government that it’s about to introduce 10 year work visas for expatriates is great news for foreigners looking to set down roots in the emirate.

The new residency rules are expected to be music in the ears of expats who’ve had enough of the normally transient relationship between them and their adopted home. Following Sunday’s cabinet meeting, the ruler of Dubai and PM of the UAE announced the changes, saying a large number of expat professionals will be able to get 10-year residency visas. Those qualified will include medical professionals, scientists, innovators, high tech engineers and students with top degrees. In addition, the families of those selected will also receive 10-year visas.

A raft of further changes has also been announced, including 100 per cent ownership of their companies by expat entrepreneurs, a great improvement on previous rulings stating expats could only own 49 per cent of their companies. All the changes should be set in place by the autumn, and are expected to increase the attractiveness of the UAE as a place to do business.

It’s also expected the new laws will have a positive effect on the real estate market as a high number of long-stay expat professionals will buy homes for themselves and their families. The changes are part and parcel of the plan to attract foreign investment to the UAE as it prepares to become far less dependent on its oil and gas revenues. The UAE’s new laws follow similar changes in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with the Saudi ‘green card’ and Qatar’s permanent residency plans for skilled workers and investors spurring other Gulf States to update their economies.

The downside for expats attracted to the emirates’ tax-free salary regimes is expected to follow on from the introduction of VAT earlier this year to provide a boost to the Gulf States' next phase of development. However, for top-talent expat professionals, the new visa gives a chance to settle long-term without having to worry about relocating yet again.