NEW FAMILY VISA RULES FOR EXPATS IN UAE

BY MUIN ABD MAJID

DUBAI, July 2 (Bernama) -- A minimum monthly salary of 10,000 dirhams (about
RM9,600) will be required for expatriate residents wishing to bring their
families to the United Arab Emirates.

Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD) director-general Major General
Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali said the minimum wage should be raised to cope with
the cost of living, rents as well as school fees and healthcare.

"A resident should be able to support his family and afford their living
costs to enable them to live a decent life, in line with labour and residency
laws," he was quoted as saying by Gulf News.

The daily said the previous minimum salary requirement of 3,000 dirhams was
subsequently raised to 4,000 dirhams and 6,000 dirhams.

Expatriate residents should also be able to provide independent
accommodation for their families.


"The NRD will not allow any resident who does not rent an independent house
or apartment to bring in family members," said Al Menhali.

He said the decision was reached following a government study on the
negative effects of allowing residents to bring their families without
sufficient income and suitable accommodation arrangement.

It will come into effect following amendments to by-laws of the residency
law, the daily reported.

-- BERNAMA