UAE unveils 4 new Visit Visas for AI, cruise, events and entertainment: who can apply plus humanitarian residency reforms

UAE launches 4 new Visit Visas for AI, cruise, events, and entertainment: What hospitality and events teams need to know

On September 29, 2025, the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) introduced new entry visas and residency updates that directly impact hotels, venues, cruise operations, and event organizers. The goal is clear: make it easier to bring in specialists, move talent quickly, and support guests and staff with cleaner processes.

Here's the practical breakdown, with who can apply, how to use each visa, and what's changing for families and hiring.

The four new specialized Visit Visas

• AI Specialist Visa: For experts in artificial intelligence. Allows single or multiple entries. Must be sponsored by licensed tech entities in the UAE.
• Cruise Tourism Visa: For cruise passengers and workers. Multiple-entry permits support ship crew rotations and guest turnaround across ports.
• Event Visa: For participants in economic, cultural, educational, or sports events. Sponsorship comes from the event organizer.
• Entertainment Visa: For individuals involved in commercial gaming or entertainment activities. Sponsored by licensed UAE entertainment entities.

Why this matters for hospitality and events

• Faster access to technical talent for event tech, data ops, and guest experience pilots (AI Specialist Visa).
• Smoother crew logistics and guest flows for cruise turnarounds, shore excursions, and partner hotels (Cruise Tourism Visa).
• Cleaner entry for speakers, performers, exhibitors, tournament staff, and production teams (Event and Entertainment Visas).
• More predictable planning across conferences, festivals, esports, and live shows.

Who can apply and typical sponsors

• AI Specialist Visa: AI researchers, engineers, data leads, and solution architects. Sponsor: licensed UAE tech companies, labs, or qualified entities.
• Cruise Tourism Visa: Cruise ship crew, contractors, and passengers moving through UAE ports. Sponsor: licensed cruise lines, port agents, or tourism operators.
• Event Visa: Conference speakers, exhibitors, athletes, coaches, festival staff, and technical crews. Sponsor: event organizers or approved host institutions.
• Entertainment Visa: Performers, production teams, esports talent, shoutcasters, and tournament officials. Sponsor: licensed entertainment or gaming entities.

How to use these visas in your operation

• Pre-book visas for headline speakers, performers, and esports teams to prevent last-minute border issues.
• Set up framework agreements with licensed sponsors (tech firms, event organizers, port agents) to speed repeat applications.
• Bundle accommodation letters, show schedules, and insurance proofs in one packet for each participant.
• For cruises, align visa windows with ship calls, hotel blocks, and shore excursion timings.

Other visa and residency updates you should know

Beyond the four new visit visas, the ICP announced wider changes that affect staffing, guest support, and family cases.

• Humanitarian Residency Permit: One-year, renewable residency for foreigners from countries affected by war, disasters, or unrest. No guarantor or host required. It can be extended or canceled based on official reports and becomes void if the holder leaves the UAE.
• Residency for widows and divorcees:
  • Foreign widows or divorcees of Emirati nationals: one-year renewable residence permit if applied within six months of death or divorce.
  • Foreign widows or divorcees of expatriates: similar terms if they were UAE residents at the time, previously sponsored by the husband, and hold legal custody of any children they sponsor.
  • Financial stability and suitable housing are required. Custody disputes go to a designated committee.
• Visa for relatives and friends (short-term visits, up to third-degree kinship). Minimum monthly salary of the UAE resident sponsor:
  • First-degree relatives: AED 4,000
  • Second- and third-degree relatives: AED 8,000
  • Friends: AED 15,000
• Business Exploration Visa: Applicants must show financial solvency tied to the intended business or prove active involvement in the same line of business abroad or through a registered UAE entity.
• Truck Drivers' Visa: Single or multiple-entry options. Sponsor must be a licensed freight or logistics company. Requires financial guarantee, health insurance, and fees.

Application basics

• Secure sponsorship from a licensed UAE entity relevant to the visa category.
• Prepare official documents: passports, event or employment letters, marriage/divorce/death certificates where relevant, and proof of financial solvency if required.
• Complete health and security clearances and ensure valid insurance where applicable.
• Confirm fees and timelines with the sponsor before ticketing and public announcements.

Action checklist for hospitality and event leaders

• Map your next 6-12 months of events, cruises, and productions to forecast visa needs.
• Create sponsor partnerships now (tech firms, event organizers, port agents, entertainment entities).
• Standardize documentation packets for each role type: speaker, performer, crew, athlete, esports participant.
• Assign a single coordinator to track approvals, renewals, and entry windows.
• Brief your sales and talent teams on categories to avoid last-minute rework.

Where to verify details

For official requirements, categories, and updates, consult the UAE ICP and government portals.

• Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
• UAE Government: Visa and Emirates ID

Upskilling AI roles for events and venues

If you plan to bring in AI specialists or retrain staff for AI-enabled guest experience, operations, or marketing, curate role-based learning before applications. Clear role scopes and proof of skill help sponsors move faster.

• AI courses by job function