Authorities in Dubai and the UAE have updated regulations covering tourist visas, property owner residency, and specialized entry permits. Changes include faster digital processing times and dedicated visit visa options for artificial intelligence and event professionals.
Dubai and UAE authorities have updated entry and residency frameworks across tourist, property, and long-term visas. Key changes include broadened visa-on-arrival eligibility, faster 48-hour tourist visa processing, removed minimum property purchase thresholds for sole owners, and linking residency renewals to unpaid traffic fines. Expanded categories for the 10-year Golden Visa and new specialized visit visas have also taken effect.
Abu Dhabi has published a dedicated guide for foreign investors and business partners seeking a UAE Green Visa. The emirate directs applicants to process their submissions through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) portal.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security outlined mandatory nomination letter procedures for UAE Golden Visa applicants on October 15, 2026. Applicants in most categories, including investors and entrepreneurs, must obtain an endorsement before visa processing. The preliminary online application via the ICP platform incurs an AED 150 statutory fee.
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