Registering property under a free zone firm is an option still under discussion: Official

Dubai has not finalised any new residence visa system for property owners and the talks of granting residency visa are very “premature“, a senior government official .

“At a recent meeting, ways of giving residency visas were discussed and one option was to allow people to register their properties as companies in free zone. This will then allow them to get residency visa. But, this was just a proposal and nothing has been finalised,” the official said on conditions of anonymity.

“There is no way a retired person who wants to live in Dubai can get a residency visa even if he owns a property. We are trying to help people like them.”

He reiterated “it was just a proposal in the meeting… nothing has been worked out.”

Last year, this website had reported that certain developers in Ras Al Khaimah were offering residency visa linked to properties if registered with a free zone. Real estate agents said that companies there were still helping buyers to get free zone visa.

When called, Rakia CEO, Dr Khater Massaad denied offering any such visas at all, saying, “We are fully committed to following the federal regulations on granting property visas.”

The federal law currently entitles foreign owners of the UAE property to a six-month multiple-entry visa, which came into effect on June 1, 2010. According to the law, applicants would have to own a property of not less than Dh1 million and earn Dh10,000 a month. The visa needs to be renewed every six months at the cost Dh2,000.

credit card surcharge ban from July 1-UAE gov.

Ministry of Economy has warned retailers in the UAE to stop charging fees on credit cards from July 1.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, headed the second meeting of the committee for 2011 which passed resolution prohibiting retailers from imposing charges on credit card usage as commission.

The committee also agreed on liberalising trade of 15 new products including detergents and washing powders, dairy products and juices, drinking water, livestock, feed, fats and oils, and the list will be sent to the cabinet for approval.

”This is strategic to reduce monopoly and exploitation, and will enhance market competitiveness,” said Al Mansoori.

The committee reviewed a report on the advertisements for fast food outlets, and recommended that awareness measures must be initiated to ensure that customers are not misled by catchy advertising and resort to unhealthy eating, especially of junk food.

The committee also reviewed a report on the status of the Call Center in the Consumer Protection Department, and another on the difference between the prices of key food items sold at cooperative societies and major retail outlets.

The committee discussed the Electronic System for Goods Monitoring which is expected to be operational during the second half of 2011. Currently, the ministry is undertaking a pilot phase with some commodities and the results will be generalised for other goods. The new system works through electronic links between the major trading centres and UAE customs ports, and can monitor the prices of 200 commodities on a daily basis.

The committee discussed a report on the increase of prices at gas stations and recommended to open channels of communication between the Ministry of Economy and all petrol stations with the participation of representatives from economic departments to identify the reasons for rise in price.

The committee was briefed on a proposal to reduce rental fees at retail outlets and cooperative societies. The committee recommended the distribution of marketing margins equally between retail outlets and consumers.

Eida to introduce online ID registration soon

Applicants seeking to register in the UAE national identity could fill the needed form at home and avoid standing in long queues at packed registration centres when authorities introduce an online service soon.

The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA), which oversees the landmark ID project, said it was in the process of introducing such online service that will allow all applicants of filling the ID form, paying fees and getting an appointment for finger printing without having to go to registration centres.

“We are developing an electronic ID form so applicants themselves can fill it online without having to deal with registration centres…the form will be available online shortly,” EIDA director general Ali Alkhouri told Emarat Alyoum daily.

“Once this service is enforced, applicants will only have to fill the form online though EIDA’s website, upload all needed documents and pay fees online…they then can get an appointment for finger printing online.”

Khouri said existing authorized registration centres would remain in operation for those who do not wish to have their applications processed online.

He told the paper the online service would be introduced on a limited trial basis in September before it is fully enforced by the end of the year.

“This is a strategic move as the new service is expected to largely increase the rate of registration…applicants will be able to register online at their homes or offices without having to wait for long periods at registration centres.”

Khouri said the new service would cut fees paid by applicants by nearly 40 per cent as they will not be required to pay up to Dh70 in fees for registration.

Dubai plans to introduce a new residence visa system for property owners

Dubai plans to introduce a new residence visa system for property owners, reported 'Al Bayan' newspaper.

A government official was quoted as saying "authorities are discussing ways of granting owners of properties in the emirate, residence visas based on transparent rules and legislation".

The new rule is expected to boost the realty sector. However, realtors are wary about the costs involved. As some experts say the costs involved in setting up a company, including mainteance and ownership fees, to register a property under it could go up and this could put off buyers, reported 'Gulf News'.

Yet others believe the new rule would attract foreigners coming to the UAE for visas, thereby, boosting the emirate's realty sector.

The official said "the new mechanism suggests that property owners to establish a company in the free zone and then the company will own the property which will let the property owner who owns the company to obtain a residence permit on the basis of ownership of the company, not the property."

However, property owners must meet specific requirements to be able to establish the company. The official added that the residence visa will be valid as long as the ownership of the company is valid.

Some analysts say the law though will help the real estate market, it will not solve all of the real estate problems in Dubai.

Anti-tobacco law approval by cabinet soon

Dr. Hanif Hassan Ali, UAE Minister of Health, and Chairman of the Health Council, emphasised that the council continues to study and examine the required recommendations to raise the health services in the UAE and achieve the strategic national goals and objectives.

"The council has lately examined the recommendations to develop medical practices, serve the ambitions of the medical staff and health services providers and care for the patients of all public and private health facilities in the UAE", said the minister while chairing the Health Council meeting in Dubai.

The meeting made the final review the anti-tobacco executive by law of the federal decision No. (15) of 2009 and decided to present it to the cabinet for approval.

The council also discussed the health survey for the emirate of Dubai and the unification of the medical staff licensing system in addition to the project of the health research handbook.

The Minister stressed the importance of speeding up the unified system for medical licensing to begin with doctors and followed by the licensing of other establishments and resources.

Another meeting will be held soon with representation from the health authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The health council also approved the health research handbook to be printed and distributed to all the competent authorities and organizations as a guideline to determine researches and statistics in the healthcare field in the UAE.

Dr. Salem Al Darmaki, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of health and member of the health council, said that the council has conducted several studies which led to a number of ministerial and cabinet decisions about certain health programs and projects.