The UAE has reduced the validity of residency visas for free zones from three years to up to two years.
Individual free zones have been updating their clients via circulars about the new rule that's effective from October 3.
It said all residence visas that are currently under process will reflect the new validity.
Meanwhile, residence visas that have already been issued will remain valid for the three-year time frame until renewal.
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Dubai has retained its position as the Middle East's leading maritime city and ranked 12th globally in the 2026 Leading Maritime Cities report by DNV and Menon Economics.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang steps down
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is stepping down, leaving the AI industry without its biggest champion and clouding the future of the chipmaker he built into an AI powerhouse.
DEWA reports record-breaking AED25.74 billion revenue in 2026
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has reported record-breaking revenue of AED25.74 billion in the first nine months of 2026 - up 3 per cent on last year.
Nakheel unveils new sustainable community beside Palm Jebel Ali
Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has unveiled Palm Springs, a 3.8 million sq m residential masterplan adjacent to Palm Jebel Ali in southern Dubai.
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