Member News

United Arab Emirates

10 July 2024 - Equivalency Certificates Now Required for Certain Scientists and Specialists Golden Visa Applications

Applications for non-government nominated ‘Scientists and Specialists’ UAE Golden Visas in Dubai must now include an equivalency certificate and, depending on the discretion of authorities, may also require legalized transcripts. Equivalency certificates attest that a person’s degree is from an accredited international university and meets relevant academic standards. Applicants with UAE-issued academic certificates are not subject to this equivalency certificate requirement, but must nonetheless legalize their qualifications. It is currently uncertain whether existing Golden Visa holders will need to comply with this new requirement when seeking renewal. These new requirements may cause the application process to take longer, due to administrative challenges and delays associated with sourcing the necessary documentation. Accordingly, onboarding schedules may need to be reassessed. Meanwhile, applicants who now cannot meet the Golden Visa application requirements should consider alternative Golden Visa categories or other immigration pathways. 

2 August 2024 – Amnesty Program Announced for Foreign Nationals in Irregular Status

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security has announced that foreign nationals who are in the United Arab Emirates on an expired residence permit will be granted a two-month grace period starting September 1, 2024 to regularize their status or depart the country without a penalty. This will allow foreign nationals who have overstayed their residence an opportunity to correct their immigration status within the two-month grace period by either exiting the country without incurring any overstay penalties; or regularizing their immigration status. As background, upon cancellation of a residence permit, a foreign national is typically granted a grace period of 30-180 days based on the category of the residence permit. The overnment periodically grants an additional blanket grace period for all foreign nationals (the last time was in 2018). Those who continue to reside in the United Arab Emirates on an expired or canceled residence permit will incur penalties (AED 50 per day).


QATAR

05 July 2024 - Reduced Fees for Selected Corporate Services Forthcoming

The Minister of Commerce and Industry has announced a forthcoming reduction of over 90% in fees for certain services such as commercial permit fees and commercial register fees. By reducing corporate overheads through lower service fees, Qatar aims to enhance its appeal to companies and create a more conducive business environment, thereby supporting economic growth and aligning with its Vision 2030 objectives for sustainable development.


MIDDLE EAST

31 July 2024 - Travel and Mobility Considerations - Update on the Situation in the Middle East

Recent developments indicate a notable decline in the security conditions within the region, particularly in Lebanon. This has prompted numerous governments worldwide to either sustain existing travel advisories or advise against all travel to Lebanon. Earlier this week, there were numerous flight disruptions, including delays and cancellations of flights operating in and out of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. Due to escalating security concerns and heightened insurance risks, several national and international airlines have announced the suspension or cancellation of flights until at least the first week of August, leading to potential challenges with individuals travelling to and from Lebanon.


ABOUT FRAGOMEN

Fragomen is a leading firm dedicated to immigration services worldwide. The firm has nearly 5,500 professionals and staff in 62 offices located in the Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA. Overall, Fragomen offers support in more than 170 countries. 

We are structured to support all aspects of global immigration, including strategic planning, efficiency, quality management, compliance, government relations, reporting, and case management and processing. These capabilities allow us to represent a broad range of companies, organizations and individuals, working in partnership with clients to facilitate the transfer of employees worldwide. 

Our Middle East and North Africa (MENA) practice also provides corporate services, including social security assistance, end-to-end corporate setup, corporate secretarial services, corporate amendments, restructuring activities and more. Our corporate services and immigration professionals have extensive experience working with multinational businesses, conglomerates, local employers, start-ups and individual investors. We have a deep understanding of the MENA region and maintain strong professional relationships with relevant authorities. 

To learn more about how we can assist you, please visit our website at www.fragomen.com or contact us at [email protected]