Latest news with #FederalAuthorityforIdentity
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Minimum income of $3,500 required to obtain Remote Work Visa in UAE
The United Arab Emirates offers a Remote Work Visa to foreigners working outside the country, allowing them to enter, reside, and work remotely for employers based abroad. This visa is valid for one year and is renewable, provided the holder complies with the terms and conditions. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) clarifies that this visa enables foreigners to reside in the UAE without a local sponsor. The ICP stated that the documents required include proof of remote employment with a company or entity outside the UAE, evidence of a monthly income of at least $3,500 (or equivalent in other currencies), a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months, a colored passport-sized photograph and a valid health insurance coverage within the UAE. Applicants can apply through the smart services system via the ICP's official website or the UAEICP mobile app. The visa permits entry into the UAE within 60 days of date of issuance. It can be applied for on line by these steps: Registering and logging in to the ICP's website or app, filling in the required details and upload necessary documents, paying the applicable fees, and evaluating the service and then the applicant will receive the visa via email. The fees of the total application fee are Dhs350, including: visa issuance fee (Dhs100), application fee (Dhs100), smart services fee (Dhs100) and ICP service fee (Dhs50).
News18
20-05-2025
- Business
- News18
UAE Launches Blue Visa For Environmental Champions With 10-Year Residency
Last Updated: As per the UAE government, those who have contributed to environmental conservation qualify for a 10-year visa. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has now begun the application process for the Blue Visa, a long-term resident visa for people who have made remarkable contributions to environmental protection. It is a multiple-entry permit that allows eligible tourists to stay in the Emirates for up to six months, with the possibility of a 10-year residency beginning this year. First introduced in May 2024, the UAE Blue Residency program aims to attract worldwide environmental leaders to help the UAE achieve sustainable economic and social development. Beginning February 2025, individuals can apply for an environmental visa through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security. If you're looking forward to applying for the Blue Visa, here we've mentioned the details related to the eligibility criteria and key steps. Take a look. Eligibility Criteria Influencers: Those who have made major contributions, put up extraordinary efforts, and had a significant impact on the environment, climate change, sustainability, and clean and renewable energy are eligible to apply for this Visa. Scientists and Researchers: Scientists with significant global achievements and influence in the disciplines of environment, climate change, sustainability and clean and renewable energy, as certified by the UAE Scientists Council. Investors and Entrepreneurs: Young businessmen or investors working in the field of climate change, sustainability, environment and renewable energy can also apply. Steps To Apply: Applicants can start the process by going to the ICP smart services platform or the official website. Next up, select Blue Residency Services. After that, one must decide where to apply for the Blue Visa. It can be filed both within the country and outside of it, including in India. The Blue Visa joins previously established programs such as the Golden Visa, which grants investors, entrepreneurs and specialists ten years of residency, and the Green Visa, which offers competent professionals and business owners five years. As per the UAE government, those who have contributed to environmental conservation qualify for a 10-year visa. These include the land and marine environments, air quality, sustainable technology, and the circular economy.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
'New lease on life': UAE's visa waiver brings Sudanese back from the brink
A mother of three, whose family faced over Dh18,000 in visa overstay fines, is among the many who have found a new lease of life after the UAE announced a full waiver of residency and tourist visa violations for Sudanese. The waiver, effective from May 19, 2025, through the end of the year, comes as part of the UAE's ongoing efforts to support those displaced by the conflict in Sudan. Om Hanin, who arrived in the UAE in July 2023 after fleeing the war in Khartoum, said her family had overstayed for three months and was drowning in fines. "We didn't know how we would ever pay. Every day felt heavier than the last," she recalled. Her children, too young to understand the legal weight of their situation, watched as their mother struggled to hold the family together in a foreign land. Her husband, she said, was left behind in Sudan after refusing to abandon his elderly mother, who was unable to travel. "He stayed for her. Then one day, he left to get food from a nearby town and never returned. We haven't heard from him since." The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) decision to waive all overstay fines has brought financial relief and emotional reprieve for families like hers. Another Sudanese expat, Mohamed Issam, had been preparing to fly back to Port Sudan to make his way to Khartoum, which began stabilising in March. "A lot of Sudanese started going back," he explained. "But what stopped me was my fines. I had over Dh6,000 in fines, and I was going to borrow the money from a friend to fix my visa before travelling." His plans were disrupted when the Port Sudan airport recently came under attack. "That means I'm still here, but at least my fines will be waived," he said. Mohamed sees the visa waiver as "divine mercy" and is now focused on finding employment in the finance sector to rebuild his life. The news has also brought hope to those on the frontlines of helping affected Sudanese in the UAE. Mr Awad Allah, who runs a typing centre in Deira, said he sees dozens of Sudanese residents daily looking for guidance. "Whenever it feels like doors are closing, the UAE opens another with even more mercy," he said. "People come to us desperate, not just for paperwork help but for reassurance that they're not alone." Awad Allah, who also maintains a popular TikTok account sharing updates on Sudanese residency issues, recounted a moment from a recent livestream. "Two days ago, a man joined the live and shared his hope that the UAE would extend its support by offering the amnesty so he could renew his Crisis & Disaster Countries Visa for his family. "This waiver is not just about fines," Awad added. "It's about hope. The Sudanese people here are in real need, and this gives them more than time, it gives them dignity." Sudanese expats are strongly encouraged to begin their application process as early as May 19 through ICP's online services and regularise their visa status without penalty. Ongoing conflict in Sudan The visa fine waiver comes amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The fighting has devastated cities like Khartoum and displaced millions internally and across borders. Many Sudanese fled with little notice, leaving behind essential documents and facing uncertain futures in foreign countries. UAE haven during regional instability The UAE has consistently extended humanitarian support to those affected by the crisis. In 2023, Dubai and Sharjah airports became temporary havens for Sudanese passengers stranded in the country due to the closure of Khartoum Airport and flight cancellations. On April 25, 2023, Khaleej Times reported that 13 Sudanese passengers were stranded at Sharjah International Airport due to the conflict. The Sharjah Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Team (ECDMT) provided the travellers with temporary accommodations and necessary care. Dubai Airports also extended support to Sudanese transit passengers affected by flight cancellations. Passengers who had flown into the Emirate from different countries were offered temporary accommodation until they could travel to Khartoum or choose to fly to other destinations. Authorities offered visa flexibility, shelter, and assistance to those unable to continue their journeys due to closed airspace and grounded flights. The new fine waiver builds on these earlier efforts, reinforcing the UAE's role as a haven during times of regional instability.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Blue Visa: UAE offers multiple-entry permit to foreigners applying for residency
The UAE has launched a 180-day permit for expats to apply for the Blue Residency visa — a 10-year residency granted to individuals who have made 'exceptional contributions and efforts' in protecting the environment. Eligible individuals outside the UAE can now apply for a multiple-entry visa valid for 180 days from the entry date, according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP). This initiative is aimed at facilitating the completion of all necessary procedures required to obtain the Blue Residency, Emarat Al Youm reported. The Blue Residency is the first long-term residency in the UAE specifically targeting those who have made significant impacts in environmental conservation, sustainability, and clean and renewable energy whether within the country or abroad. According to the authority, the following categories are eligible to apply for this visa: The multi-entry permit to finalise the procedures for a long-term residency visa was previously extended to foreigners who wish to get a UAE Golden Visa. This service offered an entry permit for a period of 6 months, which could be extended for a similar period, to facilitate the completion of procedures for obtaining the 10-year residency. How to apply multi-entry permit Applications can be submitted through the ICP's official website and the UAEICP mobile application. The five-step application process takes around seven minutes and includes filling in personal data, attaching required documents such as: A passport valid for at least six months A personal photo Proof of eligibility Paying the fees Submit application. The service is completed within one working day once all documents are verified. The announcement follows the first phase of the Blue Residency initiative, unveiled during the World Government Summit in February, where 20 prominent individuals in sustainability were granted the residency. It forms part of the UAE's broader strategy to position itself as a global leader in climate action and innovation, following earlier long-term visa programmes such as the Golden and Green residencies.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE authority bust drug smuggling attempt, seize marijuana at Zayed International Airport
Authorities in the UAE thwarted an attempt to smuggle 5kg of marijuana at Zayed International Airport, the Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Ports Security announced on Wednesday. The General Administration of Ports seized the narcotic substances, which were found professionally hidden inside the luggage of an inbound traveller. According to official sources, the bust took place after Customs inspection teams grew suspicious of the traveller's baggage as it passed through the airport's advanced screening systems. The scanning equipment indicated the presence of abnormal materials concealed within the luggage, prompting a meticulous manual search. 'This necessitated the intervention of manual inspection teams to conduct an accurate examination that resulted in the finding of narcotic substances,' the authority stated. The operation was carried out in cooperation with the specialized K9 customs dog teams from the Customs and Security Support Management, which are trained in drug detection. Security, safety of community The ICP reiterated its unwavering commitment to enhancing its inspection capabilities by employing the latest devices and cutting-edge technologies. This strategy, the authority emphasised, is crucial for 'ensuring the protection of society from the dangers of narcotic substances and constitutes a deterrent to all those who would consider tampering with the security of the state". Officials highlighted that these efforts are part of a broader national strategy aimed at preserving the security and safety of the community. The authority also stressed its dedication to adopting innovative and advanced methodologies to combat drug smuggling and the movement of other dangerous materials, particularly in light of the increasing challenges and evolving tactics employed by criminal gangs. 'Protecting the security of society, preserving its stability, and protecting youth from the negative effects of drugs is a top priority,' the authority affirmed, underscoring the significance of such operations in maintaining public welfare.
