The United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers a sophisticated residency visa system designed to cater to a wide range of expatriates including investors, skilled workers, students, retirees, and environmental advocates, each with specific pathways and benefits. The most prominent among these is the Golden Visa, which grants long-term residence of five or ten years to distinguished individuals such as investors with a minimum of AED 2 million in deposits or real estate, entrepreneurs, scientists, and outstanding students.

This visa provides the flexibility to live, work or study in the UAE without needing a sponsor, and holders can sponsor unlimited family members and domestic workers. The Golden Visa holder also benefits from the ability to stay outside the country for prolonged periods without losing residency status and enables family residency continuity in cases of the primary holder’s death. The application process involves submitting investment proofs and meeting high standards in professional or academic achievements as outlined by the UAE government’s official portal.

Golden Visa: Long-Term Residence for High Achievers

The UAE Golden Visa, first introduced in 2019, is a flagship program designed for investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents, humanitarian pioneers, and high-achieving students. It offers either a five or ten-year renewable residency without the need for a local sponsor.

Eligibility spans public investors with at least AED 2 million in government-approved funds, entrepreneurs with startups valued at AED 500,000 or more, and specialized professionals in sectors like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and medicine who meet certain salary and certification criteria.

Creative talents, athletes, humanitarian workers, and executive directors can also qualify under specific conditions. This visa allows holders to sponsor an unlimited number of family members and employees and provides stability for families even after the primary visa holder's death.

Green Visa: Flexible Residency for Skilled and Self-Employed Workers

Introduced in 2022, the Green Visa offers a five-year residency permit targeting freelancers, self-employed professionals, skilled employees earning over AED 15,000 per month, and investors meeting defined financial thresholds. Unlike traditional employer-sponsored work visas, the Green Visa allows self-sponsorship, providing greater freedom to live and work in the UAE independently.

Applicants must hold relevant qualifications, including bachelor’s degrees or specialized diplomas, along with proof of consistent income or financial solvency. The visa holder can sponsor immediate family members and enjoys benefits such as a six-month grace period for renewals and the ability to sponsor parents and unmarried children. This visa aligns with the UAE's objective of attracting entrepreneurial talent and diversifying its economy.

Blue Visa: Dedicated Residency for Environmental Advocates

Launched in 2025, the Blue Visa supports individuals significantly contributing to ecological protection and sustainability. This innovative visa grants a 10-year residence to environmental scientists, conservationists, renewable energy experts, and active members of environmental organizations.

The Blue Visa is designed to position the UAE as a global hub for green leadership, offering long-term residency stability and encouraging holders to collaborate with ongoing environmental initiatives in the country. Some recipients may receive financial incentives or support to further their work in line with the UAE’s sustainability goals.

Standard Employment and Domestic Worker Visas

For the majority of expatriates, the two-year standard employment visa remains the common residency route. This visa requires an employment contract with a UAE-based sponsor, whether in the private sector, government, or designated free zones, and entails health checks and Emirates ID registration.

Domestic workers such as housekeepers and caregivers are issued specialized visas under employer sponsorship, acknowledging the critical role of domestic labor in the UAE. The process is well-regulated, ensuring compliance with labor laws and residency requirements.

Student and Retirement Visas

Students admitted to accredited UAE educational institutions can apply for student visas, usually valid for one year and renewable, with sponsorship often provided by the institution or family members. Male students can stay on family visas until age 25 if they continue their higher education, and daughters remain sponsored regardless of age.

The retirement visa, targeting individuals aged 55 and over, provides a renewable five-year residency to retirees meeting financial criteria including pension income, property ownership, or savings. This visa allows retirees and their families to enjoy UAE’s benefits such as healthcare, banking, and a safe living environment.

Other Residency Options and Digital Advancements

Beyond established visa categories, the UAE offers investor visas for commercial and property investments starting at AED 750,000, remote work visas allowing foreign professionals to live in the UAE while employed overseas, and humanitarian visas providing residency for individuals from countries affected by conflicts or natural disasters.

The government has digitized many visa application processes through platforms like the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP), enabling applicants to submit documents, pay fees, and track statuses online, ensuring efficiency and transparency.

Visa fees, eligibility criteria, required documentation, and renewal procedures are clearly detailed on official UAE government portals to facilitate informed decision-making by applicants. The comprehensive, flexible, and inclusive UAE visa system supports the nation’s vision of becoming a global hub for talent, investment, family stability, and sustainability, reflecting a modern socioeconomic strategy that balances growth with quality of life.

This detailed visa framework exemplifies UAE’s commitment to welcoming diverse expatriates in alignment with its ambitions for economic diversification, social cohesion, and global leadership in sustainability.

M Raja Kishore has taken over as the new director of Chennai Airport, following the transfer of his predecessor CV Deepak to Delhi, where he will serve as the Regional Director at the Regional Control Scheme. Raja Kishore brings extensive experience from his previous roles, including as the Regional Executive Director of airports in the North-Eastern states and as director of Tirupati Airport. Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Raja Kishore is expected to leverage his experience to navigate Chennai Airport through its ongoing operational demands and growth.

The leadership change follows administrative decisions aligned with regular transfer policies, compounded by Deepak completing over two years of service at Chennai Airport. Deepak’s tenure was marked by notable incidents, including in August 2025 when an Air India flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi made an emergency landing at Chennai due to a technical snag.

The delayed landing sparked criticism from senior Congress leader and MP KC Venugopal, who alleged that the airport authorities did not permit the aircraft to land immediately, forcing it to circle in the skies for an extended period. The incident escalated to parliamentary discussions, putting a spotlight on Chennai Airport’s crisis management and operational protocols.

Raja Kishore’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Chennai Airport continues to expand passenger capacity and enhance infrastructure, maintaining its status as one of India’s key aviation hubs. The airport serves as a major gateway to South India, handling both domestic and international traffic, and faces ongoing challenges related to increasing flight volumes, security, and service quality.

Stakeholders expect Raja Kishore to focus on strengthening operational efficiency, improving customer service, and addressing critical infrastructure enhancements. His prior experience with Tirupati Airport and overseeing airports in the North-East is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives to managing Chennai Airport’s dynamic environment.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which oversees Chennai Airport operations, has emphasized that such administrative transfers are part of broader efforts to optimize leadership placements across India’s airport network, ensuring best practices and professionalism.

As Raja Kishore settles into his new role, all eyes remain on how Chennai Airport will navigate future challenges, enhance passenger experiences, and support India’s growing aviation sector.

The Philippines has enacted a groundbreaking law allowing foreign investors to lease private land for up to 99 years, significantly extending the previous maximum lease term of 50 years with a possible 25-year renewal. Signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 3, 2025, the new law aims to boost foreign investment by providing greater lease-term stability and predictability for long-term commercial, industrial, tourism, and agricultural projects.

The legislation amends the 1993 Investors’ Lease Act and mandates lease agreements to be registered with the respective provincial or city Registry of Deeds, ensuring transparency and security for investors. It also requires foreign lessees to demonstrate social and economic contributions to the country to qualify for lease renewal.

David Leechiu, head of Leechiu Property Consultants, noted that the extended lease terms “should open up a massive amount of investment capital from foreign parties,” facilitating projects such as hotels that will further boost tourism. This move also improves the Philippines’ competitive position within Southeast Asia, where countries like Thailand already offer 99-year leases.

The law also grants the Philippine president authority to impose shorter lease durations for investors involved in vital services or industries classified as critical infrastructure or national priorities, balancing national security concerns with investment incentives.

This reform comes amid a significant decline in net foreign direct investment into the Philippines, which fell nearly 27 percent to $3 billion from January to May 2025, highlighting the need for policy changes to attract sustained capital inflows. Neighboring countries continue to outpace the Philippines in investment inflows, increasing the urgency of competitive reforms.

President Marcos has also signed complementary legislation to enhance state revenue from large mining operations through a profit-based tax system, expected to attract additional investments in that sector.

Overall, the 99-year land lease law is seen as a key policy to foster greater investor confidence, encourage economic diversification, promote joint ventures with local partners, and accelerate growth in tourism, real estate, agriculture, and industry. While ensuring protection of national interests, the law provides a more investor-friendly environment to support the Philippines’ long-term economic development goals.

Dubai further cemented its position as the UAE’s primary aviation hub in 2024, handling the majority of passenger traffic and aircraft movements across the country, according to fresh data released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre. Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports collectively accounted for an impressive 65 to 68 percent of all passenger and civil aircraft activity nationwide.

Passenger numbers in Dubai surged to 101 million last year, a 6.6 percent increase from 94.75 million in 2023, underscoring the city’s vital role as a leading global transit gateway. Across the entire UAE, total passenger traffic climbed 11.5 percent year-on-year to 148 million an addition of 15.3 million travelers compared to the previous year.

Passenger flows showed a nearly balanced split across arrivals (41.67 million, 28 percent) and departures (41.76 million, 28.5 percent), while transit passengers made up the largest portion at 44.5 percent, or 64.4 million. Within Dubai’s total, arrivals accounted for 28.5 million, departures for 28.8 million, and transit passengers reached 43.66 million.

Abu Dhabi International Airport ranked second nationally with 30.9 million passengers—21 percent of the UAE total marking a strong 31 percent jump from 2023. The capital’s figures included 7.94 million arrivals, 7.7 million departures, and 15.26 million transit passengers.

Sharjah International Airport came third, handling 15.3 million passengers (10.3 percent share), up 11 percent year-on-year. Notably, Ras Al Khaimah experienced the steepest growth with an 88 percent increase, serving 640,000 passengers. Fujairah also doubled its traffic, managing 61,120 passengers compared to just under 30,000 the previous year. Meanwhile, smaller local airports processed only 1,380 passengers, down 20 percent.

Aircraft movements across the UAE mirrored this growth, rising sharply to 771,800 civil aircraft operations in 2024—an 11.2 percent increase over 694,050 movements in 2023. Dubai accounted for nearly 64 percent of these operations, with 488,520 flights divided almost evenly between 244,200 arrivals and 244,300 departures, representing an 8.5 percent increase.

Abu Dhabi followed with 168,100 aircraft movements (22 percent of the total), up 21 percent year-on-year. Sharjah logged 108,110 movements, marking a 9.3 percent rise, while Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah also saw double-digit growth in flight operations, with 5,620 (up 21 percent) and 1,450 (up 18 percent) movements respectively.

These robust figures highlight Dubai’s continuing dominance in the UAE aviation sector and reflect the nation’s broader success in becoming a major global air travel and transit hub, attracting record passenger volumes and expanding its operational capacity.

Business and leisure travelers from Singapore will soon enjoy daily flights to Tokyo with Air Japan, as the airline increases frequency on its popular Singapore-Tokyo (Narita) route beginning November 21, 2025. This expansion is enabled by the addition of a third aircraft, allowing Air Japan to operate flights every day of the week, including new services on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Currently, Air Japan flies between Singapore and Tokyo on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Ticket sales for the expanded schedule started on September 4 via Air Japan’s website.

To cater to a broad range of travelers, Air Japan offers “Simple” fares starting at SGD 226 for one-way trips, with children’s fares from SGD 148 and infant fares at SGD 51 for those not requiring a seat. These fares include carry-on baggage allowance of up to 7kg, while additional options such as advance seat selection, checked baggage, and in-flight meals can be purchased separately.

The decision to increase flights responds to rising demand for travel to Japan from Singapore. According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, a record 691,100 Singaporeans visited Japan in 2024—up 16.9% from 2023’s then-record 591,300 visitors highlighting strong and growing interest in the destination.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers a sophisticated residency visa system designed to cater to a wide range of expatriates including investors, skilled workers, students, retirees, and environmental advocates, each with specific pathways and benefits. The most prominent among these is the Golden Visa, which grants long-term residence of five or ten years to distinguished individuals such as investors with a minimum of AED 2 million in deposits or real estate, entrepreneurs, scientists, and outstanding students.

This visa provides the flexibility to live, work or study in the UAE without needing a sponsor, and holders can sponsor unlimited family members and domestic workers. The Golden Visa holder also benefits from the ability to stay outside the country for prolonged periods without losing residency status and enables family residency continuity in cases of the primary holder’s death. The application process involves submitting investment proofs and meeting high standards in professional or academic achievements as outlined by the UAE government’s official portal.

Golden Visa: Long-Term Residence for High Achievers

The UAE Golden Visa, first introduced in 2019, is a flagship program designed for investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents, humanitarian pioneers, and high-achieving students. It offers either a five or ten-year renewable residency without the need for a local sponsor.

Eligibility spans public investors with at least AED 2 million in government-approved funds, entrepreneurs with startups valued at AED 500,000 or more, and specialized professionals in sectors like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and medicine who meet certain salary and certification criteria.

Creative talents, athletes, humanitarian workers, and executive directors can also qualify under specific conditions. This visa allows holders to sponsor an unlimited number of family members and employees and provides stability for families even after the primary visa holder's death.

Green Visa: Flexible Residency for Skilled and Self-Employed Workers

Introduced in 2022, the Green Visa offers a five-year residency permit targeting freelancers, self-employed professionals, skilled employees earning over AED 15,000 per month, and investors meeting defined financial thresholds. Unlike traditional employer-sponsored work visas, the Green Visa allows self-sponsorship, providing greater freedom to live and work in the UAE independently.

Applicants must hold relevant qualifications, including bachelor’s degrees or specialized diplomas, along with proof of consistent income or financial solvency. The visa holder can sponsor immediate family members and enjoys benefits such as a six-month grace period for renewals and the ability to sponsor parents and unmarried children. This visa aligns with the UAE's objective of attracting entrepreneurial talent and diversifying its economy.

Blue Visa: Dedicated Residency for Environmental Advocates

Launched in 2025, the Blue Visa supports individuals significantly contributing to ecological protection and sustainability. This innovative visa grants a 10-year residence to environmental scientists, conservationists, renewable energy experts, and active members of environmental organizations.

The Blue Visa is designed to position the UAE as a global hub for green leadership, offering long-term residency stability and encouraging holders to collaborate with ongoing environmental initiatives in the country. Some recipients may receive financial incentives or support to further their work in line with the UAE’s sustainability goals.

Standard Employment and Domestic Worker Visas

For the majority of expatriates, the two-year standard employment visa remains the common residency route. This visa requires an employment contract with a UAE-based sponsor, whether in the private sector, government, or designated free zones, and entails health checks and Emirates ID registration.

Domestic workers such as housekeepers and caregivers are issued specialized visas under employer sponsorship, acknowledging the critical role of domestic labor in the UAE. The process is well-regulated, ensuring compliance with labor laws and residency requirements.

Student and Retirement Visas

Students admitted to accredited UAE educational institutions can apply for student visas, usually valid for one year and renewable, with sponsorship often provided by the institution or family members. Male students can stay on family visas until age 25 if they continue their higher education, and daughters remain sponsored regardless of age.

The retirement visa, targeting individuals aged 55 and over, provides a renewable five-year residency to retirees meeting financial criteria including pension income, property ownership, or savings. This visa allows retirees and their families to enjoy UAE’s benefits such as healthcare, banking, and a safe living environment.

Other Residency Options and Digital Advancements

Beyond established visa categories, the UAE offers investor visas for commercial and property investments starting at AED 750,000, remote work visas allowing foreign professionals to live in the UAE while employed overseas, and humanitarian visas providing residency for individuals from countries affected by conflicts or natural disasters.

The government has digitized many visa application processes through platforms like the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP), enabling applicants to submit documents, pay fees, and track statuses online, ensuring efficiency and transparency.

Visa fees, eligibility criteria, required documentation, and renewal procedures are clearly detailed on official UAE government portals to facilitate informed decision-making by applicants. The comprehensive, flexible, and inclusive UAE visa system supports the nation’s vision of becoming a global hub for talent, investment, family stability, and sustainability, reflecting a modern socioeconomic strategy that balances growth with quality of life.

This detailed visa framework exemplifies UAE’s commitment to welcoming diverse expatriates in alignment with its ambitions for economic diversification, social cohesion, and global leadership in sustainability.