The requirement of a tenancy contract and attested
utility bills in the UAE has been cancelled for renewal of residency visa from
late Monday.
“The decision from the General Directorate of Residency
and Foreigner Affairs came late yesterday. We have been told that there is no
longer need of tenancy contracts and utility for any kind of visas,” a call
centre executive of Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) On Monday,
Abu Dhabi had said that expatriates seeking a renewal of their residence visa must
submit an attested tenancy contract with a valid utility bill, saying those
sharing an accommodation would be rejected.
An official at the General Directorate of Residence and
Foreigners Affairs in Abu Dhabi said the new rules issued last week apply to
all expatriate families and bachelors, excluding those applying for a renewal
of a visit visa.
Ahmed S, an Indian, who works with a company in Abu
Dhabi, and has been sharing an apartment with his friends in Dubai, was quite
elated to hear the new rule.
“It is good that they have cancelled the tenancy contract
regulation… it is so tough for us who earn only Dh6000 per month to rent an
apartment in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. I am very happy,” he added.
When contacted, Susan, who shares a Shoreline apartment
in Palm Jumeirah, says: “I am relieved now. Since the announcement of the new
rule, I wasn’t certain as to what I should do as my visa renewal comes in
December. Now, I can peacefully enjoy the bliss on the Palm.”
She had told this website following the new rule that she
could not afford to pay the full rent of an apartment on Shoreline and hence
was sharing it with two other people.
It was reported on June 6 that expatriates seeking to
renew their visas in Abu Dhabi must now submit a copy of their housing rent
contract to immigration authorities as part of new terms enforced by the
Ministry of Interior.
Foreigners residing in Abu Dhabi as well as those who
work in the capital and live in other emirates must also present a rent copy
along with other documents required for their visa extension, the semi official
Arabic language daily Alitthad said, quoting Major General Nassir Al Minhali,
Ministry of Interior assistant undersecretary for naturalization and residence.
“All expatriates in the UAE are now required to submit a
copy of their house rent contract when they want to have their visa
renewed…they should also present valid water or power bills to support that
contract,” he said.
On June 7, it was confirmed that people sharing
accommodation will not be allowed to renew their residence visa.
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