The UAE authorities have released more details about plans for coronavirus vaccine booster shots and rules for attending live events.
Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the state health sector, said people will be assessed to ensure that they meet the criteria for a third dose.
Speaking at a weekly coronavirus briefing on Tuesday, Dr Al Hosani said the evaluations will be carried out through pre-appointment services.
"We confirm that the priority is to administer the supporting dose of the vaccine," she said.
"It will be for the elderly and people with chronic diseases as a first stage, being the most vulnerable."
Further details were expected to be released in the next few weeks.
The briefing also heard that only vaccinated people and participants in the vaccine clinical trials can attend live events from June 6. Attendees will have to present a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before.
"Additionally, to attend the events, the letter “E” must be visible in Al Hosn application," the briefing heard.
Other rules such as wearing masks must also be followed.
The UAE's vaccination drive has now reached more than 78.11 per cent of all eligible people. In addition, 84.59 per cent of the elderly – those aged 60 years and over – have been inoculated.
Dr Al Hosani also referred to mutant strains of the coronavirus.
She said health advice was to take a repeat test for the virus if symptoms persisted, even if the original test was negative.
She also called on everyone to take the vaccine and help the recovery.
Earlier, Dr Al Hosani had said the UAE public is to be offered booster shots of most coronavirus vaccines this year, but not until six to eight months after a second dose.
She said third doses should not be taken too early. "The duration might differ from vaccine to vaccine, but it's expected that after six to eight months ... most of the Covid vaccines will require a booster dose," she told Dubai Eye radio.
Four vaccines have been authorised for use in the UAE: Pfizer-BioNTech; Oxford-AstraZeneca; Sputnik V; and China's Sinopharm, which is now being manufactured by UAE company Julphar in Ras Al Khaimah under the name Hayat-Vax.
The UAE recorded 1,672 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday.
The latest infections brought the country's total since the pandemic began to 559,291.
UAE authorities co-ordinated one of the world's fastest vaccination drives while a widespread testing programme to curb the virus was started.
Almost 50 million tests have been conducted and more than 12 million vaccine doses have been given.
New case numbers have fallen in recent months from a daily high of almost 4,000 in January.
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Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
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18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
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Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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