The UAE is speeding ahead with fresh visa and immigration changes in 2026. New visit visa types now include an AI Specialist Visa for tech pros, an Entertainment Visa for artists, an Event Visa for conferences and cultural happenings, plus a Maritime Tourism Visa for cruise visitors. These changes aim to attract skilled workers, creative minds, and luxury tourists. Sponsorship rules also got stricter. Residents must meet clear income limits: Dh4,000 monthly to sponsor close family, Dh8,000 for extended relations, and Dh15,000 for friends or non-relatives. This keeps the system transparent and ensures guests have local support. India enjoys easier entry with expanded visa-on-arrival options. Indians holding valid visas or residence in multiple countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, and more can now get visas on arrival in the UAE, boosting ties with one of the biggest travel markets. The Golden Visa programme continues growing. New professions like experienced nurses, educators, content creators, and charity donors get five- or ten-year residency. This helps the UAE retain valuable global talent. Special Humanitarian Resident Permits allow people from war or crisis zones to stay up to a year without sponsors, marking the UAE’s humanitarian role. Administrative updates include mandatory submission of passport cover pages for all entry permits to ensure better identity checks. Together, these moves highlight the UAE’s push to be a global hub for tourism, trade, and innovation. Whether skilled professional, family sponsor, or leisure visitor, the UAE’s visa scene now offers more flexibility and opportunity than ever in 2026.