Member News

United Arab Emirates

27 October 2023 - Fast-tracked Vehicle Border Crossing System Established

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a digital verification system – called the ‘Smart Land Borders Crossing’ system – which scans driver and passenger biometrics, vehicle license plates, and travel documentation, allowing for a fast-tracked immigration process at certain land borders. Individuals with valid travel documentation (including Emirates identity card or passport), and whose name has been registered with the vehicle, will be permitted to pass through the border without stepping out of the vehicle. The system can currently only verify vehicles with two or fewer occupants, but is expected to gradually be updated until it can verify the travel details of every vehicle occupant. The system currently operates only at the Al Ghuweifat border between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but is expected to expand to border crossings with Oman. This system is expected to expedite the cross-border movement of individuals between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and later also Oman. Individuals ineligible to use the fast-track lane (for instance, because they are in a vehicle that their name is not registered with), will need to rely upon the standard immigration process, requiring them to leave their vehicle and physically provide necessary documentation (including identity and vehicle information) at the border posts.

17 October 2023 – New Training Initiatives Launched for Emirati Nationals

The United Arab Emirates has launched two new training initiatives, the “Economic Leadership Program” and the “Professional and Practical Training Program”, for developing the skills and expertise of Emirati nationals in various critical industries and sectors, with a focus on developing best-practice standards in the field of international economic development and aiding private sector integration. The “Economic Leadership Program” program will provide high-quality education to Emirati nationals, with a focus on supporting and developing leadership skills as well as competencies in various vital sectors. The training program is provided through a collaboration between the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development and various prominent industry partners. Emirati nationals interested in this program can apply via this website.

Additionally, the Professional and Practical Training Program is currently in its pilot phase and is presently only available to around 3,500 Emirati students in high school from grade nine up until the final year of university education. It allows these individuals to obtain early opportunities in careers that they may be interested in order to encourage work in the private sector once they have finished their schooling. The program is expected to become available to all Emirati students in this age range in the next five years. Emiratis who are nominated and selected by academic institutions for the Professional and Practical Training Program will be eligible for weekly financial incentives.

20 October 2023 - New Entry Permit Launched for the COP28 Global Summit

The United Arab Emirates has launched a mandatory special entry permit – called the COP28 UAE Visa – for all registered blue zone participants attending the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, regardless of nationality The Convention runs from November 30, 2023 to December 12, 2023. The COP28 UAE Visa allows a single entry into the United Arab Emirates, for 30 days from date of arrival and is valid for entry until December 12, 2023. The visa – which is electronically issued – is free to eligible COP28 attendees.

COP28 UAE Visa applicants must first complete the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) registration process, after which they will receive a confirmation email that includes an online link to apply for the COP28 UAE Visa. The visa can take up to 72 hours to be processed from the date of submission.

Saudi Arabia

02 October 2023 - Dental Sector Saudization Ratio To Increase

Effective March 10, 2024, the Saudization ratio for private dental healthcare occupations will increase to 35 percent (from the current 30 percent). This requirement will only apply to private dental healthcare businesses employing three or more workers. The minimum monthly salary for Saudi nationals will remain at SAR 7,000. Through this policy change, Saudi authorities seek to stimulate private-sector job creation while increasing the labor market participation of both male and female Saudi nationals.

16 October 2023 – Additional Incentives Announced for Regional Headquarters Program

The Regional Headquarters Program, which incentivizes companies to set up their regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, is creating additional incentives for companies to take part in the program, including a proposal to grant Premium Residency status to executives who base themselves at their Saudi regional headquarters. Currently, Premium Residency status is not granted based on employment; rather, applicants must pay for either a one year (renewable) or unlimited residence. Furthermore, Saudi authorities have proposed additional incentives for employees working at regional headquarters, including: allowing a foreign spouse on a family residency visa to obtain work authorization and allowing dependent male children up to the age of 25 years to obtain a family residence permit, where the current age limit is 18. These incentives are in addition to previously announced initiative, including exemptions to Saudization requirements.

To date, Saudi Arabia has issued licenses to over 160 regional centers under the Regional Headquarters Program – which was announced by the Saudi government in February 2021. As part of this program, effective January 1, 2024, Saudi authorities will significantly reduce their contractual arrangements with foreign companies that do not have a regional headquarter in Saudi Arabia. Only limited exemptions will apply.

24 October 2023 – Tourism E-Visa, Visa-on-Arrival Expanded to Six New Countries’ Nationals

Nationals from Mauritius, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Thailand, and Türkiye are now eligible for Saudi e-visas and visas-on-arrival, both valid only for tourism. Previously individuals from these countries could only apply for consular visas. Eligible nationals can obtain the e-visa prior to travel by visiting Saudi Arabia’s e-visa online portal. Alternatively, they can apply for a visa-on-arrival at Saudi airports. An e-visa costs SAR 494.21 (approximately USD 132), while a visa-on-arrival costs SAR 480 (approximately USD 128). Both payments include mandatory health insurance fees. Single-entry and multiple-entry options are available for both e-visas and visas-on-arrival, with the single-entry option allowing a single stay of up to 90 days for both visa types, and each entry under the multiple-entry visa permitting a stay of up to 90 days for both visa types. Both types of visas are valid for one year from the date of issuance. Saudi Arabia launched its online visa platform in 2019 in order to increase international tourism by allowing foreign nationals of 49 countries to obtain tourism e-visas. This program has since been incrementally expanded.

25 October 2023 – Academic Verification Platform Launched

Saudi Arabia has launched an online platform for immediate use, called the Qualification Verification Program (QVP), to verify that certain foreign national applicants for a work visa have the necessary academic qualifications for the listed occupation prior to entering Saudi Arabia. Currently, the QVP platform must be used by those work visa applicants who are from countries that do not have a Saudi Cultural Attaché (62 countries in total) and also work in the following industries: agriculture; aviation; commerce; construction; contracting and construction; culture; education; energy; entertainment; financial; health; information technology or telecommunications; logistics; media; sports; tourism; and industry and mineral resources. Saudi authorities have not publicly listed which countries lack a Saudi Cultural Attaché and as a result, foreign nationals should consult their relevant Saudi consular post for more information. This is a new step in the work visa application process that is expected to take up to 15 days; however, it is unclear at this time whether the new system will increase or decrease processing times. The QVP process is expected to gradually expand to include foreign nationals from all countries and industries who are applying for work visas and is part of the Professional Accreditation program, which is included in Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to regulate its labor market. Prior to the implementation of this new system, there was no professional verification system. However, all foreign nationals continue to be subject to the requirement of legalizing their academic qualifications before submitting them as part of their work visa application, regardless of whether they qualify for use of the QVP at this time. 

Qatar

03 October 2023 – New Digital Platform for Retired Qatari Nationals Seeking to Work in Private Sector

Effective immediately, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has resumed issuing family residence visas for the wife and children (males under the age of 15 and females under the age of 18) of Kuwaiti residents working as medical staff in the Ministry of Health. This group was considered a priority to resume processing in order to retain medical professionals, particularly those in highly specialized fields. These applications have been suspended since August 2022, when the Ministry of Interior suspended the issuance of family residence visas in order to restructure Kuwait’s regulatory framework. In December 2022, the Ministry of Interior resumed issuing family residence visas for children below the age of five under certain circumstances. It is unclear at this time when the suspension will be lifted for other categories of applicants.

Bahrain

03 October 2023 –Employers Can Now Digitally Renew Work Visas and Residence Permits of Out-of-Country Employees

Effective immediately, employers can now digitally renew the work visas and residence permits of foreign employees and their dependents who are currently outside of Bahrain. Previously, renewal was only permitted in-country. In order to complete this new process, the foreign employee must hold the same passport used for their original work visa. The employer can initiate the renewal via the Expatriate Management System, up to six months prior to the foreign employee’s visa or permit expiration date. On the site, the employer will select the visa duration and complete payment. The Expatriate Management System allows for joint renewal of the work visa and associated residence permit. Once authorities renew the work visa, the residence permit will then be processed and its validity period will be equal to the duration of the work visa. Employers may then obtain a digital work visa and residence permit through the National Portal.

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