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Discuss this article (20 Comments)UAE may make more changes to expat visas - Dubai official
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Monday, 18 May 2009
NEW RULES: UAE expats could see further changes to the visa rules. (Getty Images)
There may be further changes to the visas offered to expatriate home owners in the UAE, according to Dubai’s finance chief in remarks made at the World Economic Forum in Jordan on Sunday.
Nasser Al Sheikh, the director general of Dubai’s Department of Finance, admitted to delegates that visa laws were an issue for the federal government.
But Dubai was discussing further changes, following a sharp downturn in the emirate’s real estate market, he said.
“We have certain ideas about visa laws that have been passed on to the federal government,” Al Sheikh told the conference.
A shake-up of the visa system for property owners in Dubai is already underway, under a new ruling made by Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, earlier this month.
Starting on June 1, Dubai will issue six month, multiple entry visas for expat property owners.
Under the new visa regualtions the property should be worth at least AED1m and the owner must earn at least AED10,000 per month, or the foreign currency equivalent.
However, the visa does not give the property owner the right to work inside the country.
READERS' COMMENTS
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comment on mr andys one million dhms visa for expatriate
Posted by vijay, dubai, u.a.e on Wednesday 20 May 2009 at 14:18 UAE time
sir you will be surprised that what is unique about u.a.e is that rules of residence permit of multi million dollar investor buisness man and a construction worker earning 700 dhms per month are the same .since both of them are expatriates Bank managers and people working even on very high posts with the govt have a labour card.There is no provision for any special investor visas even for buisness man doing buisness worth millions of dirhams since last 10 20 years.the main reason is they do not trust the expatriates but expect the expatriates to trust them and have respect for them.they just want only tourists and no permanant residents.so investing in property in u.a.e is just a waste of time and money.
Posted by vijay, dubai, u.a.e on Wednesday 20 May 2009 at 14:18 UAE time
sir you will be surprised that what is unique about u.a.e is that rules of residence permit of multi million dollar investor buisness man and a construction worker earning 700 dhms per month are the same .since both of them are expatriates Bank managers and people working even on very high posts with the govt have a labour card.There is no provision for any special investor visas even for buisness man doing buisness worth millions of dirhams since last 10 20 years.the main reason is they do not trust the expatriates but expect the expatriates to trust them and have respect for them.they just want only tourists and no permanant residents.so investing in property in u.a.e is just a waste of time and money.
Basically it costs 1 Million Dhms. to get you a 6 month visa stay in Dubai
Posted by Andy, Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday 19 May 2009 at 20:00 UAE time
This is beyond absurd. I think the US and the UK should offer their locals the same visas. Their visa fees sound like the rates charged at the Burj Hotel in Dubai.
Posted by Andy, Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday 19 May 2009 at 20:00 UAE time
This is beyond absurd. I think the US and the UK should offer their locals the same visas. Their visa fees sound like the rates charged at the Burj Hotel in Dubai.
Twisting the knife?
Posted by IncidentFlux, Ajman, U.A.E. on Tuesday 19 May 2009 at 17:30 UAE time
Sigh! these guys... Talk about twisting the knife while laughing, Edmund Brindley is right on the money. I put my trust in the government and invested in UAE property, now they're jerking us around like this.
Time and time its proven we'll be nothing more than untrustworthy labor workforce expats to them, no matter how many millions or billions you invest here. We're still just a quick visa canceallation away from deportation.
Have we really screwed this country to deserve this kind of treatment? I'm not even angry anymore just very disappointed.
Posted by IncidentFlux, Ajman, U.A.E. on Tuesday 19 May 2009 at 17:30 UAE time
Sigh! these guys... Talk about twisting the knife while laughing, Edmund Brindley is right on the money. I put my trust in the government and invested in UAE property, now they're jerking us around like this.
Time and time its proven we'll be nothing more than untrustworthy labor workforce expats to them, no matter how many millions or billions you invest here. We're still just a quick visa canceallation away from deportation.
Have we really screwed this country to deserve this kind of treatment? I'm not even angry anymore just very disappointed.
Fair and equal right for property Investors
Posted by Gavin Mendez, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 19 May 2009 at 13:57 UAE time
The government should consider a yearly or 3 years residence Visa's , with provision to work with a special labour card. This will bring in people who are skilled professionals who can invest as well. Apart from being beneficial to companies who dont have to provide accomodation to this category of employees, this will also help stabilize rental fluctuations as one would own an apartment rather them rent. we love this country like our own.. we dont want a citizen ship, but allow up to live in the country we have strived to build.. I humbly request the benevolent ruler of this great country to think of all the dedicated and law abiding expats who are willing to give their sweat and blood for this country.
Posted by Gavin Mendez, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 19 May 2009 at 13:57 UAE time
The government should consider a yearly or 3 years residence Visa's , with provision to work with a special labour card. This will bring in people who are skilled professionals who can invest as well. Apart from being beneficial to companies who dont have to provide accomodation to this category of employees, this will also help stabilize rental fluctuations as one would own an apartment rather them rent. we love this country like our own.. we dont want a citizen ship, but allow up to live in the country we have strived to build.. I humbly request the benevolent ruler of this great country to think of all the dedicated and law abiding expats who are willing to give their sweat and blood for this country.
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