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Co-Founder & CEO movingo
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Iakov Kukushkin
Copywriter, Journalist
Oct 10, 2025
The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has announced a major update to its entry permit rules. The biggest change is the introduction of four specialized visit visa categories that target specific types of visitors. The rules for many existing visas also have been updated to be clearer and more flexible.
In this article, let's take an overview of all these categories.
In this article, let's take an overview of all these categories.
- Key changes and updates in the UAE visa system
- New visit visa types
- Other modified entry permits
- 🪪 Humanitarian residence permit
- 🪪 Residency for widows and divorcees
- 🪪 Business exploration visa
- 🪪 Visit visa for friends and relatives
- 🪪 Truck driver visa
- Eligibility and application process for new UAE visas
- Duration and validity of new UAE visas
- Other visa updates
Key changes and updates in the UAE visa system
New visit visa types
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🤖 AI specialist visa
For highly skilled professionals and experts in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This visa allows you to enter the country once or multiple times for a specific period of time. You must have a letter from your sponsor or host organization — such as a tech company — to qualify. -
🎉 Entertainment visa
For foreigners coming to the UAE for a short stay for fun, like those who are involved in business gaming, performances, or media events. -
🗓️ Events visa
For people attending large-scale events like festivals, exhibitions, conferences, sports gatherings, or educational seminars.
Sponsors or organizers in this category must be public or private entities. The entity must submit a letter detailing the event and its duration. -
🚢 Cruise tourism visa
This visa allows foreigners to obtain a multiple-entry tourist visa through cruise ships and pleasure boats for a short period, provided that the itinerary includes stops in the UAE and the sponsor or host has a license for this type of activity.
Other modified entry permits
🪪 Humanitarian residence permit
A new one-year renewable residency permit for people from countries dealing with wars, disasters, or civil unrest. It does not require a sponsor. In special humanitarian cases involving sponsored relatives, however, the Director General of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA ) may waive the financial solvency or kinship requirements.
Note: The residency permit will be invalidated if the beneficiary departs from the UAE.
🪪 Residency for widows and divorcees
The new rules allow widowed or divorced foreign women to obtain a one-year residence permit, renewable to ensure stability for themselves and their children.
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If the husband is Emirati, residency may be granted to the foreign widow or divorcee without children if the husband is Emirati and the residency is issued within 6 months of the date of death or divorce.
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If the husband is foreign, the UAE government will allow a widow or divorced woman to get residency if she has custody of the kids within 6 months of her husband's death or divorce. She has to be in the UAE when the application is made, and her husband had to be the guarantor at the time. If she wants to sponsor the kids' residency under her own name, she needs to be their legal guardian.
In cases of child custody disputes, a special committee will make a decision. Basically, they'll check that the parents are financially stable and have a suitable place to live. If there are good reasons, they might extend the time the parents have to be together before the decision is made.
🪪 Business exploration visa
The updated rules now require applicants to demonstrate stronger financial solvency, i.e., proof that they have sufficient funds for their planned business. Alternatively, they must demonstrate ownership of a share in an existing company outside the UAE.
🪪 Visit visa for friends and relatives
The updated rules now require applicants to demonstrate stronger financial solvency, i.e., proof that they have sufficient funds for their planned business. Alternatively, they must demonstrate ownership of a share in an existing company outside the UAE.
🪪 Truck driver visa
Truck drivers can now get visas for one or more entries, as long as the person sponsoring them. In this case, the freight company or business responsible for transporting goods pays the required fee and provides financial guarantees. The driver must also have health insurance.
Eligibility and application process for new UAE visas
Applications are generally handled online through the official portals of the ICP or the GDRFA. If you want to save time and ensure that your visa application is in order, you can always seek professional help. We'll gather and submit all the necessary paperwork on time, so you won't have to worry about it.
Duration and validity of new UAE visas
Other visa updates
As you can see, things have changed a bit. The UAE is great for entering and staying long-term, but it can be difficult to understand all the details on your own. There are different types of visas, and each one requires different documents.
Why not let the pros handle it for you? We can take care of all your visa needs, whether it's a personal visa for you or your family or employees. So why don't we talk about how we can help you?
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