Based on The National News Daily, Dubai has introduced five-year multi-entry visas for employees of international companies based in the emirate in a drive to improve flexibility and efficiency and attract top talent.
The move was announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Tuesday.
Read also, Top 10 Reasons Why Job Seekers Can’t Get Jobs in Dubai|Drjobpro.com
The visa
aims to simplify application procedures further, provide ease-of-access to the
city and extend the duration of stay of international visitors.
"The
five-year multi-entry visa is especially beneficial to employees of
foreign-owned firms as it enables them to participate in events, conferences,
training courses, exhibitions, and similar activities hosted in Dubai by these
companies," Dubai Media Office reported.
Sheikh
Hamdan said the policy was part of efforts to make Dubai the "best city to
work and live in the world."
"In
Dubai, we have started issuing a five-year entry permit for employees of
international companies located in the emirate," Sheikh Hamdan said on
Twitter.
"Our
goal is to facilitate institutions and enable their teams to move quickly and efficiently
to and from Dubai to participate in meetings, conferences, and exhibitions held
throughout the year.
"Continuous
development of the frameworks regulating the work environment, raising the
efficiency of the infrastructure, enhancing the factors of attraction,
flexibility, and speed in decision-making are factors that confirm Dubai's
position as the best city to work and live in the world."
The new visa
has been introduced by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners
Affairs in partnership with Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism.
It allows
employees of multinational companies to visit and stay in the UAE for 90 days,
with the option of extending this period for another 90 days.
Sheikh
Hamdan said the emirate was striving to "meet the needs of its society and
anticipate them with measures that help its various components of institutions
and individuals succeed and excel."
"The
new five-year multi-entry visa is the latest in a series of initiatives
launched by Dubai to create new opportunities for professionals and talented
individuals across the world to grow and thrive," Sheikh Hamdan said.
"The
city has been steadily rising in status among the world's biggest metropolises
as a hub for travel, business, investment, and talent, offering visitors an
experience that is not only productive for work and business but also enriching
in terms of lifestyle and culture.
"Dubai
seeks to dynamically adapt to evolving global conditions, embrace change and
develop innovative initiatives to deliver future growth and offer new avenues
for development and transformation, while remaining one of the world's safest
and most secure cities."
Dubai
embraces new working strategies
The
initiative is in line with Dubai's vision to invest in the best local and
international expertise to boost the economy and accelerate its development.
In October
last year, Dubai introduced a remote-working program to allow professionals to
live in the emirate while companies overseas.
The
initiative aimed to encourage people employed around the world to relocate to
Dubai.
Through the
program, applicants can obtain all services available to permanent residents in
Dubai, including phone and internet services, utilities, and schooling. They
will also benefit from the tax-free salaries enjoyed by UAE residents.
The Covid-19 pandemic, meanwhile, has prompted many companies across Dubai and the rest of the Emirates to embrace hybrid working models, in a shift away from the rigid "9 to 5" office working model.