It’s no secret that Dubai is one of the best places in the world to live and visit. In the past year, the emirate has introduced a number of new visa changes and initiatives aimed at easing the processes for those wishing to extend their stay, visit, or move into the city with long-term residence visas. Staying updated on these changes is essential for anyone considering a move to or an extended stay in Dubai.
Here’s what you need to know.
1) New UAE Visit Visas Announced
In September 2025, the UAE unveiled an exciting addition to its visa offerings: four new visit visa categories specifically targeting specialists in burgeoning fields such as artificial intelligence, entertainment, events, and leisure-related sectors like cruise ships. These changes, announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security, also introduced revisions to existing visas, including those for humanitarian purposes and friends of UAE residents.
2) The Blue Visa Has Launched
Initially announced in May 2024, the blue visa officially launched in February 2025. This 10-year residence visa is designed for individuals who have made a significant impact on environmental conservation efforts, both within the UAE and globally. The visa serves as an expansion of the popular UAE Golden Visa System and includes six categories of environmental action supporters.
3) New GCC Tourist Visa Nears Rollout
The upcoming GCC Unified Tourist Visa aims to streamline travel across six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. This Schengen-style visa, officially titled “GCC Grand Tours,” is in its final approval phase and will allow holders to freely move between these countries.
4) Nurses to Get Golden Visas
Hamdan bin Mohammed issued directives to grant golden visas to nursing staff employed with Dubai Health who have served for more than 15 years. The decision comes in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the community and their crucial role in advancing the quality of… pic.twitter.com/v6c65q4eKT
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 12, 2025
In a landmark decision coinciding with International Nurses Day on May 12, 2025, Dubai announced that nurses employed by Dubai Health for over 15 years will be granted golden visas. This 10-year residency visa serves as a recognition of their invaluable contributions to the community and the quality of healthcare services in the emirate.
5) Influencers to Get Golden Visa Help
Content creators, including influencers, photographers, and writers, will now be able to apply for a special long-term residency visa following the launch of the influencer golden visa during the 1 Billion Followers Summit in January 2025. The Creators HQ will assist up to 10,000 individuals in obtaining this visa, aimed at individuals who can demonstrate their impact on the UAE’s creative community.
6) New AI-Assisted Dubai Visa Application
In a technological leap forward, Dubai has introduced an AI-powered digital platform called Salama to facilitate quicker visa renewals. Launched on February 24, this platform allows residents to renew their visas in just minutes, improving the efficiency of government services. Users can also access answers to various visa-related questions through this innovative platform.
7) Dubai Visa Rules Expanded for Indian Nationals
Recent updates to visa regulations now allow Indian nationals to obtain a visa-on-arrival in the UAE, a significant easing of previous restrictions. Indian passport holders with valid residency permits from several countries, such as Australia and Canada, can now receive their visa upon entry at all UAE ports, minimizing the hassle for Indian travelers.
8) Golden Visa for Teachers Introduced
On World Teachers’ Day, an exciting initiative was announced granting golden visas to exceptional educators in Dubai. Introduced initially in 2024, this initiative awards the long-term residency visa to those who have significantly contributed to improving the quality of education in the emirate. Applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify, including their performance and contributions to the broader educational community.
Life in Dubai
In pictures: Dubai then and now
See just how much the city has changed through the decades
UAE Public Holidays
All the details on the official public and private sector holidays here
New Restaurants in Dubai That You Need to Visit Right Now
From casual eats to fine dining, there’s bound to be a new venue you’ll want to try