All You Need to Know about UAE's 10-Year Blue Residence Visa

The UAE is highly regarded across the world for its architectural development, modern infrastructure, and vast oil reserves. But apart from offering a stunning skyline filled with magnificent skyscrapers and serving as a major business hub for the Middle East, the nation has made unprecedented efforts to recognize the value of sustainability.

Among the many efforts in the protection of the environment, the Government of the UAE has been particularly applauded for introducing the UAE Blue Residence Visa. A program that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to preserving the environment and adding sustainability, it has served as a major help for countless individuals who make a positive change in society.

So, all you eco-warriors out there, this is a program that you need to get acquainted with as it has been developed for you. We are here to assist you in understanding the basics of it, who is eligible for it, what advantages it brings for you, how you can apply for it, and what documents you need for the same.

What is the UAE Blue Residency Visa?

The UAE Blue Residency Visa, or Blue Visa, as it is simply known, is a long-term residency permit that allows individuals the opportunity to live and work in the UAE for 10 years who have made positive contributions to protecting the environment and maintaining sustainability. Whether you have made a contribution within the UAE or outside of it, the government recognizes your efforts and rewards you with this exclusive visa.

This path-breaking initiative by the Government of the UAE speaks volumes about its dedication to the conservation of the environment and has been deemed a powerful tool that will drastically transform the green landscape of the nation. It is believed that the nation will fortify its green initiatives as more and more environmentalists, green researchers, and sustainability activists make their way to the UAE through this visa.

Who is Eligible for the UAE Blue Residency Visa?

Anyone who is actively involved in safeguarding the environment is eligible for the UAE Blue Visa. Members of international companies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and associations who have supported positive environmental actions are eligible for the visa.

Furthermore, researchers of environmental work, distinguished activists, and global award winners in the field of environment and sustainability are eligible for the visa, irrespective of whether you are an Emirati or a resident advocate of the environment.

Benefits of the UAE Blue Residency Visa

Applying for a UAE Blue Residency Visa can bring several benefits to its holders, the primary among them being the following.

• It provides long-term security, stability of residence, and opportunities for individuals to establish their roots in the country.
• It connects interested candidates to major environmental projects of the country, thereby adding to innovative collaboration to protect the environment.
• There are also provisions for financial incentives for specific Blue Visa holders while also allowing them to have access to high-quality healthcare and education.
• Blue Visa holders can sponsor their family members, particularly their parents.

How to Apply for the UAE Blue Residency Visa?

Applying for the UAE Blue Residency Visa is a pretty easy process and if you fulfill the eligibility criteria mentioned above, then you can directly get in touch with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security to apply for it. Recognized and competent authorities in the UAE can also nominate you based on your work for this visa.

It might be worthwhile to note that, unlike most other types of visas, this one doesn’t have an age limit, which means that this is a perfect choice for candidates who are retirees or those who want to permanently settle down in the UAE.

Candidates have to go through a medical examination and have to present a set of documents, which brings us to our next point.

Documents Needed for the UAE Blue Residency Visa

Eligible candidates have to provide the following set of documents to apply for the UAE Blue Residency Visa.

Passport and ID

Similar to the procedure of applying for other forms of visas, the Blue Visa also requires a valid passport, ID proof, and photographs from you.

Proof of Eligibility

Candidates need to present documents that showcase their contribution to the environment. This can include anything from project reports to research papers, membership certificates in relevant institutions to awards and recognition in the concerned field.

Endorsement

You can boost the strength of your application by presenting reports of endorsements by relevant environmental authorities.

Other Popular UAE Visas

Apart from the UAE Blue Residency Visa, there are several other visas that you can apply for if you are looking to stay and work in the UAE.

Golden Visa

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit that allows individuals to live, study, and work in the UAE. Public sector investors, real estate investors, entrepreneurs, frontline heroes, skilled professionals, and students, among others, can apply for this visa. Eligible candidate can also sponsor their parents, spouses, kids, and other dependent family members with the help of this visa.

Green Visa

The UAE Green Visa is a long-term residency visa that allows its holders to sponsor themselves for five years on their own without needing an employer or a UAE national to sponsor them. Skilled employees, freelancers, and self-employed individuals can apply for this visa.

Student Visa

A Student Visa allows a student to live and study in the UAE for a year, after which it can be renewed for a similar time frame upon proof of continuation of their study period. A student can be sponsored by his or her parent who must be a UAE resident or get sponsored by an accredited college or university.

Retirement Visa

Evident by its name, the UAE Retirement Visa allows retired foreigners to apply for a long-term visa of 5 years. Retired individuals above the age of 55 years who have worked at least 15 years within or outside the UAE can apply for this visa.

Conclusion

The year 2024 has been declared as the year of sustainability by the UAE Government and the Blue Visa serves as a great ambassador for promoting the cause. Furthermore, by making remarkable changes in boosting the greenery of the environment, the Blue Visa inadvertently will open up new doors of opportunities and add to the economy of the nation by giving a boost to the tourism sector.