What is Humanitarian Visa in UAE and What are its Benefits?
Behind the sparkle of its developed infrastructure and easy access to modern amenities, the Government of UAE has engaged in various humanitarian activities through the supply of aid and showcasing of actions that help in the promotion of a better world. It has been a long-term supporter of humanitarian efforts, which is reflected in the safe environment it nurtures within its boundaries, making it one of the safest and most reliable countries to live in.
But what has made UAE truly stand out amongst its peers are not just the internal humanitarian activities it flourishes within its boundaries but also the fact that it encourages foreign nationals to do so wherever they want. The multicultural aspect of the country is a testament to it. We know that the UAE is culturally one of the most diverse countries in the world, attracting settlements from all over owing to the employment opportunities and favourable lifestyle it offers.
To extend its wings furthermore, the Government of the UAE has taken several initiatives to encourage humanitarian actions from foreign citizens and recognise those actions by granting them a long-term residency program. The humanitarian visa in the UAE is a one-of-a-kind visa that strives for a better world and promotes charitable causes and volunteer work for community development.
In this space, we are going to learn everything about this visa, including the requirements you need to fulfill to apply for it, the process of applying for it, and the benefits you can get through it. Additionally, we are also going to discuss a few other forms of visas that also offer long-term residency programs in the UAE that you can check out if you are considering moving to the UAE in the near future.
What is a Humanitarian Visa in the UAE?
The humanitarian visa in the UAE is a specialized residency program that is a part of the UAE golden visa. It has been designed to honour those who actively contribute to humanitarian, charitable, and community-driven programs and activities either regionally or internationally. It not only acknowledges the efforts of people in the humanitarian field but also empowers them by granting them access to live long-term in one of the most advanced nations of the world.
The existence of this visa is reflective of the UAE’s undying commitment to nurture, flourish, and promote a culture of giving back, inclusivity, and generosity. This visa helps in garnering the attention of global talent who are engaged in community service and volunteering and integrating them into the dynamic ecosystem of the UAE.
Also known as the golden visa for volunteers, this prestigious visa is highly revered and helps foster a culture of social responsibility by offering long-term residency programs.
With the philanthropic efforts of such individuals, the country aims to unite them all to work together for bigger, better purposes that will result in more social development projects and charitable programs. The Government of the UAE believes that through this visa, more awareness about humanitarian actions will be spread among global citizens who will partake in the creation of a bright future.
The Benefits of the Humanitarian Visa
The humanitarian visa features an eclectic range of benefits that its holders can avail of. Here are the most notable ones among them.
Long-term Residency Program
Without a doubt, the most apparent benefit of the humanitarian visa is it allows its holders the ability to live, study, and work in the UAE for up to 10 years, which can then be renewed for the same term. Holders of this visa get the benefit of stability and assurance of their stay in the country without relying on a sponsor.
Family Sponsorship
With the help of this visa, you can sponsor your family members, including your spouse, children, parents, siblings, and other relevant dependents. Therefore, you can still maintain familial bonds and move into the UAE with them without losing your sense of belonging.
Exemptions from Employment Restrictions
If you become eligible for this visa, then you will also enjoy exemptions from various employment restrictions in the UAE. This will give you more flexibility to make the most of the offers of the job market in the country and professionally advance yourself in your preferred career.
Advantages of Esaad Privilege Card
The golden visa, which the humanitarian visa is a part of, offers its holders a complimentary Esaad Privilege Card that gives numerous discounts and allied benefits. This offers the holders of the visa the ability to save significant money in healthcare, real estate, hospitality, and banking, among others.
Access to Quality Healthcare
The medical advancements in the UAE are one of the finest in the world, thanks to the existence of modern technology and the pool of highly qualified skilled medical practitioners. With this visa, the holders get access to quality and premium healthcare treatment options in the country.
The Requirements of the Humanitarian Visa
In order to apply for a humanitarian visa, you need to qualify as a pioneer of humanitarian work. By checking one of the following boxes, you may be eligible for a golden visa for 10 years, which the humanitarian visa is a part of.
- By being a member and outstanding employee of a regional and international organization for at least five years.
- By being a member and outstanding employee of civil associations and institutions of public interest for at least five years.
- By receiving an award of appreciation from a local, regional, or international organization that specializes in humanitarian actions.
- Funding for humanitarian work as long as the value of support is at least AED 2 million or its equivalent.
How to Apply for a Humanitarian Visa in the UAE?
To help you apply for a humanitarian visa in the UAE, we are providing you with a step-by-step guide to the application process. Make sure you follow a linear process and maintain the law and order.
Documents Required
The first order of business is to make sure you have to gather all the required documents that you need to prove your eligibility for the humanitarian visa. This includes certificates and letters of participation in official and reputed volunteer and humanitarian initiatives. You need to provide evidence of the significant contributions you have made to community services through campaigns, events, or projects.
If you have any official endorsement letters from any UAE-registered humanitarian organizations that verify your contribution, make sure to include them in the set of documents you are preparing. Additionally, you need to provide a copy of the passport that is valid for at least six months and a recent passport-sized photograph.
If you have any relevant and allied certifications in the field of humanitarian work you are involved in, make sure to add them as well. A medical fitness certificate, along with a police clearance certificate from your country of residence, is also required.
In essence, you need to provide the following set of documents.
- Proof of humanitarian involvement
- Endorsements from official organizations
- Copy of the passport
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Educational or professional documents
- Health and security clearance
Submission Procedure
The official government portals of the UAE handle the application process for the humanitarian visa. While the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) manages the application at the federal level, the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) manages the application specific to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
You have to start by creating an account in the portal of your choice with the help of your Emirates ID or other allied credentials. Provide all the necessary documents and details and mention the type of visa you are applying for is the humanitarian visa or the golden visa for volunteers. Once you are done cross-checking all the documents and details, submit your application.
Fees and Timelines Involved
The fees include the application review and residency issuance along with the administrative charges. You can make the payment online through the portals we mentioned above. Depending on the duration of your visa and the emirate you are applying in, your fees may range from AED 3,000-5,000. Please note that this doesn’t include the fees for police clearance certification, medical tests, and document attestations.
On average, the standard processing time is 2-4 weeks. However, this may vary depending on the volume of application and the verification of the documents.
Renewal Process and Maintenance of Eligibility
As we have stated above, the golden visa for volunteers can have a validity of up to 10 years. However, if you wish to extend your stay in the UAE beyond the validity of your permitted stay, then there are provisions for renewing the visa as well.
To do so, you need to log in to the relevant portal (ICA or GDRFA) and update and submit the renewal application while providing updated documents which will include your present humanitarian work evidence. Follow this by paying for the renewal fee online on the portals and waiting for the verification process.
It is of utmost importance that you fulfill the eligibility criteria for renewing your visa. You have to ensure that you are actively involved in volunteer or humanitarian work. Additionally, you need to maintain an affiliation with a reputed and recognized organization that specializes in humanitarian efforts.
You also have to make sure that you are complying with the UAE laws and maintaining a clean professional and legal record. Furthermore, you also have to submit annual or periodic proof of your humanitarian contributions through organization endorsements, activity reports, and other allied proof of documents.
Other Relevant Visas in the UAE
Along with the humanitarian visa or the golden visa for volunteers, there are several other types of visas, including other aspects of the golden visa in itself, which allow foreign citizens to enjoy long-term residency programs in the UAE. Here is a quick look at some of them.
Golden Visa
In addition to the humanitarian efforts, one can also become eligible for a UAE golden visa that offers up to 10 years of residency in the UAE by being a public fund investor, real estate investor, outstanding student, frontline hero, scientist, and entrepreneur, among other esteemed lines of profession. You don’t have to rely on a sponsor and instead can sponsor your family members.
It also provides you with an entry visa for six months with multiple entries to the UAE. You can even stay outside of the UAE for more than six months without having to worry about your residence visa losing its validity.
Blue Visa
The UAE blue visa offers a 10-year residency program to those who have made significant contributions to the sustainability and protection of the environment, irrespective of whether it is done inside or outside the UAE. You can directly apply for this visa through the ICP or by getting nominated by a competent authority in the UAE.
Along with offering residency programs, the holders of this visa are also connected to pivotal environmental projects of the UAE that help in the conservation and protection of Mother Nature. Blue visa holders can also sponsor their family, including their parents.
Green Visa
The UAE recognizes the efforts of people of varied professional backgrounds, which is evident from the fact that it has initiated a specific residency program through the UAE green visa. This visa offers freelancers and self-employed individuals along with skilled employed and investors the ability to stay in the UAE for five years without depending on a UAE national or employer sponsor.
This visa has relentlessly contributed to boosting the competitiveness of the job sector and has led to the inflow of talented individuals to the shores of the UAE. Holders of this visa can sponsor their male children up to the age of 25 years and female children regardless of their age until they are married.
Retirement Visa
Retired foreign citizens can also apply for a long-term residency program of five years in the UAE. The primary eligibility criteria for a retirement visa include the applicant being at least 55 years of age at the time of retirement and having the experience of working at least 15 years either inside or outside the UAE.
Alongside these two primary factors, candidates applying for this visa must fulfill one of three conditions. They can get this residence visa through property investment if they own a property or a group of properties worth at least AED 1 million. Otherwise, they need to have financial savings of at least AED 1 million or a minimal monthly income of AED 20,000 (AED 15,000 for Dubai).
Student Visa
Even if you are not professionally involved, you can still be eligible for residency programs in the UAE. The student visa offers candidates the ability to study in the UAE under the sponsorship of their parent, who must be a resident of the UAE or the sponsorship of the accredited college or university they are studying at. Not to forget, the aforementioned golden visa is also applicable to students.
The student visa has validity for one year at a time and can be renewed for the same term if proof of continuation of the study program is provided. The family members of foreign students can also stay in the UAE if they can afford suitable housing. This move has been made by the government to provide moral stability to the students.
To Conclude
The humanitarian visa in the UAE is part of the golden visa available for volunteers who engage in humanitarian actions for the betterment of society. The Government of the UAE recognizes their efforts and provides them with a long-term residency program for up to 10 years that can be renewed upon the expiry of the term.
This visa features numerous benefits, including the ability to sponsor family members, access to premium healthcare and exemptions from employment restrictions. It has played a crucial role in encouraging foreign nations to participate in humanitarian actions that help build a more supportive future powered by charitable causes and community development programs. Therefore, this initiative by the government has been applauded for its wholesome and holistic approach.
FAQs
Questions about the Humanitarian Visa
What is the meaning of the humanitarian visa?
The humanitarian visa is an aspect of the UAE golden visa that recognizes the humanitarian and charitable efforts of individuals who have made significant contributions to the betterment of society. This visa rewards them by granting them a long-term residency program in the UAE.
Who qualifies for a humanitarian visa?
Members and outstanding employees of a regional and international organization who have worked for at least five years, members and outstanding employees of civil associations and institutions of public interest who have worked for at least five years, awardees of appreciation from a local, regional, or international organization that specializes in humanitarian actions or those who have funded at least AED 2 million or its equivalent for a humanitarian work can qualify for a humanitarian visa.
What is the golden visa for humanitarian workers in the UAE?
The golden visa for humanitarian workers in the UAE is a long-term residency program that recognizes the humanitarian efforts of foreign nationals and offers them the ability to stay in the UAE for up to 10 years.