ABU DHABI: To further boost the UAE’s position as a primary destination for international investors and top talent from around the world, the Cabinet on Sunday has adopted a new system of entry visas for investors and professionals — providing them with a long-term visa for up to 10 years.

Reaction: UAE's new 10-year residence visa rule hailed

The decision, made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, further reinforces the UAE’s position as a primary destination for international investors and global talent.

ترأست اجتماعا لمجلس الوزراء أقررنا خلاله التالي: 100% تملك المستثمرين العالميين للشركات بالدولة، تأشيرات إقامة للمستثمرين تصل ل10 أعوام ،وتأشيرات إقامة تصل ل10 أعوام للمتخصصين من أطباء ومهندسين وغيرهم ولأسرهم وأيضا للطلاب المتفوقين. الإمارات ستبقى حاضنة للمبدعين ووجهة للمستثمرين pic.twitter.com/gj9SCGsp3C — HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) May 20, 2018

The move was initially announced in a tweet sent out from the official Twitter handle of Shaikh Mohammad.

The new rule was approved by at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Shaikh Mohammad at the Presidential Place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Lt. General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, were also present.

.@HHShkMohd chairs #UAE Cabinet meeting & announces decisions allowing 100% ownership of UAE-based enterprises for int’l investors, residency visas for up to 10 years for investors & professionals (doctors, engineers, etc.) and their families in addition to grade ‘A’ students. pic.twitter.com/KNLtHhPNdd — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 20, 2018

Residency system amended

"The UAE will remain a global incubator for exceptional talents and a permanent destination for international investors. Our open environment, tolerant values, infrastructure and flexible legislation are the best plan to attract global investment and exceptional talents to the UAE," stated Shaikh Mohammad.

He also directed the Ministry of Economy, in coordination with the concerned parties, to implement the resolution and follow up on its developments, and to submit a detailed study in the third quarter of this year.

New visa system

The new visa system will increase the chances of attracting investors and competencies to the UAE and thus, further boost the country's economic competitiveness globally.

The global investors' ownership of UAE-based businesses is expected to reach 100% by the end of the year.

.@HHShkMohd orders concerned Gov’t entities to implement decisions before the end of 2018. His Highness also orders extension of residency for students sponsored by their parents after completion of their graduate studies to allow for ample time to decide on career paths. #UAE pic.twitter.com/9mZJCjiggW — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 20, 2018

10-year residence visas

The system will grant investors and talents up to 10-year residency visas for specialists in medical, scientific, research and technical fields, as well as for all scientists and innovators.

It also grants five-year residency visas for students studying in the UAE, and 10-year visas for exceptional students.

The Cabinet also issued instructions to conduct a review of the residency system with a view to extending residency permits for those sponsored by their parents after completing their university studies to facilitate their future residence in the UAE.

Sign language dictionary adopted

Meanwhile, the Cabinet adopted in its Sunday session the UAE Sign Language Dictionary, the first UAE-language reference dictionary for the UAE dialect, and a unified reference language for people with hearing disabilities in the UAE.

The Emirati Sign Language Dictionary is in line with UAE Vision 2021 and the National Agenda in maintaining a cohesive society and promoting an inclusive environment that integrates all segments of society while preserving the UAE's unique culture and heritage.

The guide will facilitate the exchange of knowledge between the members of society and those with hearing disabilities and harmony among them, and promote the linguistic identity of the deaf community in the country and increase their pride in their homeland and their own language, derived from the local dialect.

Resolutions

The UAE Cabinet also adopted a resolution on the Hajj and Umrah system, which aims to develop the regulations and procedures in line with the approved electronic pathway programme for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, which includes Hajj permits and permit-granting regulations.

The Cabinet also adopted the Federal Law on Medical Assistance in Reproduction, which comes as a renewal of the current law in the same field.

The new law expands its provisions to include new regulations in licensing medical centers.

School calendar for 2018-2021

On the other hand, the Cabinet adopted the school calendar for the next three years (2018-2021) for all levels of education in order to provide all parties involved in the educational process with a clear and accurate view of the school calendar.

Emirates Diplomatic Academy

The Cabinet also approved the restructuring of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy under the chairmanship of Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees also includes: Dr. Anwar bin Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State; Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Minister of State; Ali Mohammad Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council; Omar Saif Ghobash, UAE Ambassador to the French Republic; Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, Mohammad Issa Abushahab, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of Belgium; Mohammad Ahmad Al Harbi as well as Abdelnasser Jamal Al Shaali from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Foreign Humanitarian Assistance

The Cabinet also approved the re-formation of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Foreign Humanitarian Assistance headed by Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, to coordinate and organize the UAE's humanitarian response to all international humanitarian crises and situations.

The committee includes representatives of the armed forces, UAE Red Crescent Authority, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Humanitarian Foundation, Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Dubai Cares Foundation, and the World Humanitarian City.

The Cabinet also adopted the establishment of a UAE Embassy in Ivory Coast in Abidjan and the establishment of a UAE Consulate General in Zanzibar in the Republic of Tanzania.

The Cabinet also approved an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova on economic and technical cooperation, an agreement with the Government of Turkmenistan on cultural cooperation and the adoption of UAE’s contribution to the Eleventh Replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the period 2019-2021.