Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chairs a UAE Cabinet meeting. Wam
Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chairs a UAE Cabinet meeting. Wam
Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chairs a UAE Cabinet meeting. Wam
Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chairs a UAE Cabinet meeting. Wam

UAE Cabinet's visa announcements: what has changed?


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Sweeping reforms to the UAE's visa and labour insurance legislation were announced by the Cabinet on Wednesday night.

Chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Cabinet approved eight decisions that seek to enhance the country's economic competitiveness, increase tourism and retain talented students.

The decisions will affect travellers transiting in the Emirates, private sector companies and students seeking employment. So what has changed?

Visas

Students dependent on their parents for a visa are now eligible for a two-year residency visa upon graduation, giving them a chance to find jobs.

The reforms have also slackened penalties for those who have overstayed their visa and for anyone who has illegally entered the country.

Previously such offences would be met with a re-entry ban but now, residents who overstay their visa will instead be offered the opportunity to leave the country voluntarily without a "no entry" passport stamp.

A six-month visa will also be introduced for job seekers who have overstayed their visa but wish to work in the country. The temporary visa enhances the UAE’s position as a land of opportunities and a destination for talents and professionals.

As for individuals who entered the UAE illegally, they too will be given the opportunity to leave voluntarily with a "no entry" stamp for two years given that they provide a valid return ticket.

Travellers transiting through any of the country's airports will now be exempt from all entry fees for the first 48 hours. Their transit visas can be extended up to 96 hours at a cost of Dh50. Express counters have been set up in passport control halls at all airports to facilitate the process.

Those wishing to adjust or renew their visas can now do so for free and without having to do a "visa run" by leaving and re-enter the country.

Insurance scheme

A new insurance scheme was established for workers in the private sector, reducing the cost of a mandatory deposit of Dh3,000 per employee per year to Dh60. The Cabinet said the system "secures workers’ rights in the private sector and reduces the burdens on employers". Businesses are expected to save approximately Dh14 billion in guarantee payments that can be invested into the development of their business.

The insurance policy covers workers' entitlements including end of service benefits, holiday allowance, overtime allowance, unpaid wages, worker's return ticket and cases of work injury, up to Dh20,000 per worker.

Read more: New UAE labour insurance policy protects expat workers from job loss

Opportunities for people with disabilities

The Cabinet also adopted a resolution aimed at empowering people with disabilities and helping them find jobs. The resolution provides them with "the necessary support to obtain equal employment opportunities in various sectors in line with the Government's social development programmes for all segments of the society" a statement from Dubai Media Office read.

Similarly, the Cabinet adopted the decision to establish the Asian Paralympic Committee headquarters in the UAE to serve as a sports hub in the region and provide training courses and workshops for people with disabilities.

International agreements

The UAE and Russia have granted each other's citizens visa-free travel between both counties, opening new horizons for tourism, investment and trade.

The Cabinet also adopted an agreement between the UAE Government and the International Exhibitions Bureau on the privileges and benefits accorded to official participants in Expo 2020.

Two agreements on air transport services between the UAE and Guinea, as well as the UAE and Saint Kitts and Nevis were also ratified.

MATCH INFO

Burnley 0

Man City 3

Raheem Sterling 35', 49'

Ferran Torres 65'

 

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL

Al Nasr 2

(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)

Shabab Al Ahli 1

(Jaber 13)

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5