I understand from some friends affected, that the GCAA have now stopped issuing licence validations unless individuals have a residence visa. Furthermore, if you try and get a residence visa and are over 58 years old, you will be denied unless you belong to a group of 11 chosen professions. ( The list does not include pilots )
Like many, if not all, things in the UAE this may or may not be the way it will be for the future......
This is how I understand things to be, but what do you know ??
Have you experiences to the contrary ??
Do tell.
ONHMSS