The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has entered 2026 with a sweeping overhaul of its immigration and visa systems, cementing its ambition to be a top global hub for tourism, business, innovation, and living. The changes, which began in 2025 and are now fully operational, introduce specialized visas, revised sponsorship rules, and easier access for key nationalities like Indians, marking a strategic shift in the country's approach to attracting global talent and visitors.
New Specialized Visit Visas Target Tech, Culture, and Cruise Tourists
At the heart of the 2026 updates are four brand-new visit visa categories, designed to move beyond general tourism and attract specific high-value segments. These visas are now fully effective and include:
AI Specialist Visa: Tailored for professionals in artificial intelligence, this visa can be single or multiple-entry and requires sponsorship from a licensed UAE entity.
Entertainment Visa: Aimed at performers, artists, and contributors to the creative and entertainment sectors.
Event Visa: Created for attendees and participants of international conferences, exhibitions, sports, cultural, or educational events held in the UAE.
Maritime Tourism Visa: This visa facilitates visitors arriving via cruise ships and leisure boats, underscoring the UAE's push to become a leading destination for luxury and experiential maritime tourism.
This diversification positions the UAE not just as a leisure destination but as a dynamic crossroads for cutting-edge professionals, creative talent, and global event networks.
Stricter Income Rules for Sponsorship and Expanded Entry for Indians
A significant change that took effect in 2025 and continues is the income-based sponsorship system for residents inviting family and friends on visit visas. The rules now mandate specific monthly salary thresholds:
- A minimum of Dh4,000 per month to sponsor immediate family (spouse, children).
- A minimum of Dh8,000 per month to sponsor extended family (siblings, grandparents).
- A minimum of Dh15,000 per month to sponsor non-relatives or friends.
Authorities state this brings transparency and ensures sponsored visitors have adequate financial support during their stay.
In a major boost for Indian travellers, the UAE has expanded its visa-on-arrival facility for Indian nationals. Since February 2025, Indian citizens holding valid visas or residence permits from countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea can obtain a visa on arrival at UAE entry points. This complements the existing eligibility for Indians with US, UK, or EU Schengen visas, making short visits significantly easier.
Golden Visa Growth and Humanitarian Initiatives
The coveted Golden Visa residency programme, offering 5 or 10-year residency, continues to expand its eligibility criteria. In 2025-2026, the programme has been extended to include new professional categories such as highly experienced nurses, educators, teachers, content creators, and significant contributors to charity, especially in Islamic endowment (Waqf) activities. This expansion is part of a long-term strategy to retain top global talent by offering stability, easy business setup, and property ownership benefits.
In a notable humanitarian move, the UAE introduced Humanitarian Resident Permits in 2025. This permit allows individuals from countries experiencing war, crisis, or natural disasters to stay in the UAE for up to one year, renewable, without requiring a sponsor. This initiative aligns with the UAE's growing role as a global centre for relief and stability.
Administratively, a key update requires applicants to submit the external cover page of their passport for all entry permit applications, enhancing identity verification and processing accuracy.
Looking ahead, regional initiatives like the anticipated GCC Unified Tourist Visa, expected in 2026, could further simplify travel, allowing a single visa to explore all Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the UAE.
Collectively, these reforms illustrate the UAE's forward-looking, multi-pronged immigration strategy. It balances economic diversification, global talent attraction, tourism growth, and streamlined access, making its visa landscape in 2026 more inclusive, specialised, and accessible than ever before.
