The new visa reform allowing visa holders to adjust their status without having to exit the country will give expat jobseekers “longer grace period” to seek for jobs in the UAE.
In a statement, Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, acting director general for foreigners affairs and ports at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, said that the new visa scheme give expat jobseekers “longer grace period for job seekers to find the suitable opportunities.”
Al Rashidi added that the new visa scheme will also benefit employers as they no longer have to recruit new employees from outside the UAE thus helping reduce recruitment costs.
“The decrees enhance labour market by providing chances for various establishments to utilize the competencies existed in the state and reduce the need for recruiting labour from outside the state,” Al Rashidi said.
New visa reform starts in UAE
After the expiry date of their entry permit for visit or tourism, expats no longer have to leave the country. Instead, they will be given a 30-day visit visa which would allow them to stay in the country while their visa status is being changed.
Each of the 30-day visit visa costs Dh600 and can only be applied for twice.
“The visit and tourist visa can only be extended twice – 30 days for each extension and after that the person must leave the country or face fines,” said Al Rashidi.
After the validity of the visa extension, visitors and tourists will have to pay Dh100 per day, starting from 10 days after the expiry of their visas.
