5 days, 5 documents: Dubai simplifies work visa process

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched a new platform called the "Work Bundle" on Tuesday to simplify and expedite the process of obtaining work permits and residency visas.

This platform aims to streamline the experience for both companies and individuals seeking employment opportunities in Dubai.

The Work Bundle platform will “facilitate, simplify and shorten the procedures for residency and work (permits) in the country,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE of Dubai, said in a post on X.

Previously, obtaining work permits and residency visas could take up to 30 days and involve submitting a hefty stack of 16 documents.

Now, it reduces these burdens by slashing processing time to just five days and requiring only five documents from applicants, according to a report in the Khaleej Times.

Additionally, the number of required visits to visa centres has been cut from seven to just two days, saving the applicant's time and effort.

"The “Work Bundle” aligns with the “Zero Bureaucracy” aimed to simplify government procedures and provide proactive services. The first phase will be implemented in Dubai through the “Invest in Dubai” platform and will be gradually expanded to include other government digital platforms," the UAE government posted on X.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIAN EXPATRIATE COMMUNITY

Indians form the largest ethnic community in the UAE, constituting roughly 30 per cent of the country’s population. The number of resident Indians in the UAE was estimated to be 3.5 million in 2021, as per UAE government records.

Approximately 20 per cent of the Indian community lives in Abu Dhabi and the rest is in the 6 Northern Emirates, including Dubai.

Though most of the Indians living here are employed, about 10 per cent of the Indian population constitutes dependent family members.

In February, Dubai also introduced a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa for Indians. In this, Indian nationals can have the convenience of multiple entries into Dubai for five years, with each stay allowed up to 90 days.

Last year, 24.6 lakh Indians visited Dubai, a 25 per cent rise from the pre-Covid-19 era.

STREAMLINED PROCESS THROUGH INTEGRATED PLATFORM

Work Bundle achieves its efficiency by integrating the procedures of various government entities involved in the visa process. This includes the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

By consolidating these procedures under one platform, the Work Bundle eliminates the need for applicants to interact with multiple agencies.

The Work Bundle platform is currently being implemented in Dubai, with plans for future expansion to other emirates.

These new package services allow companies to use them to complete transactions quickly, including payments using their Emirates ID for verification and providing great facilities that embody the speed of digital transformation in the Emirates.

Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, said, "The announcement reflects the UAE's speedy digital transformation in order to attract companies to come to the UAE."