From August 10, 2025, the UAE is introducing new visas for AI professionals, cruise tourists, gamers and event visitors, as well as tightening rules for business, family visits and freelancers. All the latest changes in our guide

Starting August 10, 2025, the United Arab Emirates will introduce four new types of visas and make major changes to the visa system. The changes will affect AI professionals, the gaming industry, cruise tourism, and even family visits. If you are planning a trip to the UAE, here is a detailed guide to the changes in the UAE visa policy.

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What exactly will change in the UAE visa policy from August 2025? Brief Analysis

1. New Visas for AI Professionals, Event Attendees, Gamers, and Cruise Tourists

2. Enhanced Visa Requirements for Business

3. New Rules for Visiting Friends and Relatives

4. Residency for Foreign Widows or Divorced Women

5. Temporary Suspension of Freelance Visas

AI Professionals Visa in the UAE

- Visa Type: Multiple Entry.

- Duration: 60 or 90 Days (Extendable to 180).

- For Who: AI Professionals, Researchers, Developers, Startups.

- Benefits: Ideal for Short-Term Projects, Without Complicated Bureaucracy.

This Visa Opens the Door for Highly Qualified Professionals Who Want to Work on IT Projects in the UAE, a Country That Is Actively Investing in AI.

Event Visa

- Visa type: single-entry

- Duration: 30 or 60 days, extendable up to 180

- For whom: participants in economic, cultural, sports, religious, educational events

- Why it is important: allows you to easily participate in exhibitions, festivals and conferences in the UAE

Commercial Gaming Visa

- Visa type: single-entry

- Duration: 30 days + 1 extension for 30 days

- For whom: participants in gaming events, investors, developers

- What you should know: The term “commercial gaming” is not yet detailed, but it is clear that the UAE wants to become a new hub for the entertainment and gaming industry.

Tourist visa for cruise and yacht passengers

- Visa type: multiple-entry

- Duration: 30 days + 30 days extension

- For whom: travelers arriving by sea

- Plus: no need for hotel confirmation or return tickets, which is often a problem for cruise tourists

This visa will greatly simplify the lives of tourists traveling in the Persian Gulf.

Changes for the business visa (Visa for Exploring Business Opportunities)

Previously, talent or an idea was enough. Now financial capacity is mandatory:

- Bank statements, investment documents or financial reports must be provided

- A special simplified program for the gifted has been canceled

- This will make it more difficult for startups without serious capital to enter.

Visiting friends and relatives: new rules

Now, both the level of relationship and the sponsor’s income must be taken into account:

- 1st degree (parents, children): minimum AED 4,000 per month

- 2nd/3rd degree (grandparents, cousins): AED 8,000

- Friends: AED 15,000

More people will now be able to sponsor – the professional level requirement for the sponsor has been removed.

However, those who do not meet the new income requirements may lose the opportunity to invite relatives.

Residency for widows and divorcees

Foreign women who were married to a UAE citizen and have no children can now apply for residency within 6 months of the death or divorce. Previously, this was only allowed for mothers.

What other changes have been introduced to the UAE visa policy?

- Freelance Visa Suspension: New freelance visas are temporarily not being issued, but existing ones are being allowed to be extended. This affects freelancers, digital nomads, and those who planned to move on a self-employed basis.

- New income levels have been defined for sponsoring more than 6 dependents.

- Citizens of countries experiencing war, disaster, or instability may face travel restrictions.

- Clarification on the truck driver visa.

Who are these changes for?

- IT professionals → AI visa

- Entrepreneurs → access to business visas is difficult

- Freelancers → pause in new applications

- Cruise tourists → new multiple-entry visa

- Those who want to see relatives → new financial requirements

Tips for travelers: how to prepare for new visa changes in the UAE

1. Check official sources

All new visas in the UAE 2025 are official government decisions, but application details may change. Follow the updates on the UAE ICP or Visit Dubai websites.

2. Prepare documents in advance

Especially for a business visa or invitation to relatives. The requirements for financial documents have become stricter.

3. Traveling on a cruise?

Now it will be easier for you to apply for a visa to the UAE, even without a hotel or return flight ticket. But it is better to find out in advance whether your company is on the support list.

4. Freelancer or digital nomad?

Now is not the time to apply for a new freelance visa in the UAE. But if you already have a permit, get it extended.

5. Traveling with relatives?

Pay attention to the new income limits - they are now crucial when inviting friends or family.

The UAE is transforming the visa system into a tool for the development of technology, events and tourism. The new visas provide more opportunities for short-term visits, but also require more proof of ability.

For travelers, this is a chance to visit the UAE more easily, but it is worth carefully monitoring the requirements.

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Reminder! From June 30, 2025, the UAE has launched a new visa for those who want to look for work or implement short-term projects in the country without an invitation from an employer. We have already told you what the advantages of the Visit Visa for Work Purposes are, who can get it, how much it costs and how to submit documents correctly.

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