Terms for virtual work residency permit

ABU DHABI: The Federal Authority for Identify and Citizenship (ICA) has provided the service of obtaining a virtual work residency permit for applicants inside and outside the country via its website and application (ica.gov.ae) and (ICA UAE).

Applicant begins by accessing the website or the application, then entering smart channels, and logging in using the user account or smart pass. Ater that, he/she selects the service from the list and then fills in the data, followed by uploading the atachments. Ater reviewing and confirming the data in the application, the applicant will pay the fees through the approved payment channels and submit the application.

The required documents are a coloured personal photo, a copy of the passport, health insurance, medical fitness test result, virtual work proof outside UAE, and a salary certificate of $3,500 or its equivalent in foreign currency..

The ICA also noted that the transaction fee is Dhs300 for those outside the country and Dhs250 for those within the nation.

In March 2021, the Cabinet approved initiatives and decisions in the context of enhancing the business environment in the UAE, atracting achievers, increasing the competitiveness of the tourism sector and supporting the national economy by creating the first virtual work residence permit of its kind in the region. The permit will enable the foreigner to enter the UAE on his personal sponsorship, stay for a year, and practise his job in accordance with the terms and conditions decided.

The atitude will contribute to enhancing the country’s experience in transitioning to a digital economy, supporting its position in the global digital competitiveness indicators, atracting talent and employing expertise and human resources to work remotely to raise the level of productivity in the national economy and other vital sectors.

Thevirtualworkresidencepermitalsocontributes to supporting government sectors, institutions and companies in improving the balance between work and family life, improving the work environment and strengthening family relations, and enabling employees to enhance their talent in the field of digitalisation.