The UAE Ministry of Labor has reduced the deposit expatriates pay to bring in domestic help to AED2,000

The fee for expatriates to sponsor domestic workers in Dubai has been reduced to from AED5,000 to AED2,000 - matching the deposit Emiratis pay for sponsoring domestic help, Gulf News reported.

According to a senior official from the Ministry of Interior, expatriates used to pay a AED5,000 deposit plus an additional AED5,000 to cover medical and visa costs.

“The deposit will now be refunded only when the domestic helper visa is cancelled and when she leaves the country,” Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of the Dubai Department for Residency and Foreigners Affairs told Gulf News.

These government incentives could be an attempt to maintain the number of domestic workers in the country, amid the financial crisis.

At the same time, the changes include an amendment that would see expatriates being refunded only when domestic workers were issued their residency visa, which is valid for one year only.

This could be problematic for sponsors since it is not uncommon for workers to run away. Both Emirati and expatriate sponsors stand to lose a lot of money if their domestic workers run away.Housemaids abscond for a variety of reasons; the most-often cited being abuse and mistreatment.

Interestingly, domestic workers in the emirates are not covered under the provisions of the labor law like other workers; their problems are considered as either immigration or police matters. And when there’s a conflict between a housekeeper and his or her employer, most workers are convinced the law is on the sponsors’ side.

It is unsurprising, then, that most domestic workers choose to runaway, in spite of losing their employment rights as a result of absconding.

It seems to Kipp the system needs more than mere fee adjustments

Visa and Residency procedures for the employees in Ajman University

The issue an employment visa to the employees working in the University, the following is required:

Notifying the Department of Human Resources to issue a work visa for the appointed employee in the university, specifying the job, basic and total salary,

A clear copy of the passport with a validity of not less than 6 months,

5 recent colored photos,

In the case of professions requiring university qualifications, employees must supply a copy of the degrees certified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs after translating them into Arabic,

An employment visa cannot be issued to Palestinians holding Egyptian documents,

135 AED fee for employment visa (to be issued in two weeks)

To transfer the sponsorship of an employee at the University from another party, the following procedures are required:

First – the sponsorship of any staff member cannot be transferred to the university from a non governmental working party to the university

Second - in the case transfer of sponsorship from the government to the university, the following procedures are required:

Notifying the Department of Human Resources to issue an employment visa for the appointed employee in the University, specifying the job, basic and total salary,

A no Objection letter from the former sponsor,

The original passport of a validity of not less than 6 months,

A copy of the labor ID of the new sponsor "credit signature" of the Department of Naturalization and Residency,

6 recent colored photos.

For the issuance of an employment residency for the employees of the University by virtue of a visa or sponsorship transfer by the university sponsorship, the following procedures are required:

Presence of staff members at the Public Relations Department directly upon arriving to the State,

The original passport and a copy of a validity of not less than 6 months,

The original employment visa, specifying the date of entry or the form of sponsorship transfer after approval,

The results of a medical examination issued by the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Health,

The results of fingerprinting delivered by the Police General Department of Ajman,

2 recent colored photos,

350 AED fee for residency issuance (this procedure takes 10 days and is valid for three years).

To renew the residency of staff members of the University, the following is required:

Presence of the staff member at the Public Relations Department before 1 month before the end of his/her stay,

The original passport and a copy of which the validity should not be less than 6 months,

Notification from the Department of Human Resources to approve the renewal of residency of the staff member,

The results of a medical examination delivered by the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Health,

The results of fingerprinting issued by the Police General Department of Ajman,

350 AED fee for residency issuance(this procedure takes 10 days an is valid for three years)

To cancel the residency of a staff member from the university sponsorship, the following is required:

The original valid passport and residency

A no reliabilities letter issued by the university administration,

Cancellation of residency takes a period of two working days,

The staff member whose residency is cancelled is given 30 days to leave the State if, and only if, the residency validity at the time of cancellation is effective,

In case the residency of the staff member terminates at the time of cancellation, he/she is to pay a fine resulting from the delay, gets a leave permit after paying a 100 AED fee, and leave the State on the same day of cancellation.

Visa and residency procedures for the students enrolling in the Universitys in Ajman

To issue a residency visa for students enrolled in the University, they are required to present the following documents:

A clear copy of the passport sealed by the Deanship of Admission and Registration. The Passport validity must not be less than 6 months,

A recent colored photo,

Visa issuance fees of 135 AED(in normal cases),

Residency visa cannot not be issued for Palestinian students holding Egyptian documents.

To issue a residency visa for students upon entering the State by means of a University sponsored visa, they must present themselves at the Direction of Public Relations directly after arriving to the State; and are required to submit the following documents:

The original passport of less than 6 months validity,

The original residency visa specifying the date of entry,

The results of a medical examination issued by the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Health,

The results of fingerprinting issued by the Police General Department in Ajman

2 recent colored photos,

Residency fees of 150 AED(this procedures takes 10 working days and is valid for one year only),

A letter of no reliabilities delivered by the Department of Finance at the University, for receiving the passport.

To issue a residency visa for students by transferring of sponsorship from family to the University, they are required to present the following:

The original passport of a validity not less than 6 months,

Application of transfer of sponsorship at the Department of Naturalization and Residency, signed and sealed by the former sponsor,

A notification to concerned parties issued by the Deanship of Admission and Registration at the University, addressed to the Naturalization and Residency Department in Ajman, to prove that the student will continue their studies,

The results of a medical examination issued by the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Health,

The results of fingerprinting delivered by the Police General Department of Ajman,

2 recent colored photos,

Residency issuance fees of 150 AED(the procedure takes a 10-day work, and is valid for one year only),

A letter of no reliabilities delivered by the Department of Finance at the University, for receiving the passport

To renew students' university sponsored residency, students are required to supply the following:

The original passport of a validity not less than 6 months

A notification to concerned parties issued by the Deanship of Admission and Registration at the university, addressed to the Naturalization and Residency Department in Ajman, to show that the student will continue their studies,

The results of a medical examination issued by the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Health,

The results of fingerprinting issued by the Police General Department in Ajman,

2 recent colored photos,

Residency issuance fees of 150 AED,(this procedure takes a 10-day work, and is valid for one year only),

A letter of no reliabilities delivered by the Department of Finance at the University, for receiving the passport.

To issue a residency visa for the students by the transfer of sponsorship from their family to the University, they are required to present the following:

The original passport of a validity not less than 6 months,

Application of transfer of sponsorship at the Department of Naturalization and Residency, signed and sealed by the former sponsor,

A notification to the concerned parties issued by the Deanship of Admission and Registration at the university, addressed to the Naturalization and Residency Department in Ajman, to show that students will continue their studies,

The results of a medical examination issued by the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Health,

The results of fingerprinting delivered by the Police General Department of Ajman,

2 recent colored photos,

Residency issuance fees of 150 AED,(this procedure takes a 10-day work, and is valid for one year only),

A letter of no reliabilities delivered by the Department of Finance at the University, for receiving the passport.

To cancel the students university sponsored residency, they are required to furnish the following:

The original passport,

A letter of no reliabilities issued by the Finance Management and Training Center at the University,

A 35 AED fee for printing the application form of cancellation (the cancellation period takes at least two working days),

A student whose residency is cancelled is given 30 days to leave the State if, and only if, the residency is valid at the time of cancellation,

In the case of the expiry of a student's residency at the time of cancellation, the student is to pay a fine resulting from the delay, submit a leave declaration after paying a tax of 100 AED, and leave the State on the same day of cancellation,

To transfer the students' sponsorship from the university to their working party, they are required to supply the following:

First - in the case of the transfer of sponsorship to a government working party:

The original passport of a validity of less than 6 months,

A letter of no reliabilities issued by the Finance Management at the University,

An application of transfer of sponsorship at the Department of Naturalization and Residency, signed and sealed by the new sponsor and the University,

A copy of the labor ID of the new sponsor "credit signature" of the Department of Naturalization and Residency; and payment of 35 AED for printing the cancellation form.

Second- in the case of sponsorship transfer to a non-governmental working party, the following applies:

In accordance with the laws in effect in the State, students shall not transfer their sponsorship to a private working party, except in case of cancellation of his/her residency from the sponsoring of the University and the issuance of a new employment visa on the sponsorship of the new sponsor.

Sponsoring wife and children in Sharjah

Husband has to sponsor himself and a company cannot sponsor dependent.
Requirement
Marriage certificate/birth certificate for children
Education certificate
These documents are to be attested by the concerned Consulate
Thereafter obtain attestation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Salary Certificate from the sponsor.
Purchase an immigration file and type all the necessary information in it.
Type all the necessary visa forms and attach
Passport copy of the person/s for whom the visa is being requested
2 Photographs each
All attested certificate copies
Salary certificate
Original and copy of the Passport of Husband
All necessary forms typed and signed by Husband
Visa should be ready within 10 days.
After entering the U.A.E. follow the steps of Visa Stamping
No medical test is required for children below 16 years of age
VISA Stamping
All should obtain medical card prior to stamping visa in the Passport.
Medical card can be obtained from the Ministry of Health office.
Passport copy, 3 photographs and Dhs. 300/- required.
Passport photocopy,
photocopy of the entry permit,
4 photographs are to be submitted to the Medical Authorities for the medical test.
For government department's medical tests will be normally done only in the afternoons from 4 to 6 hr.
The medical test is free for government employees.
The certificate will be ready after 3 days.
The following documents are to be submitted to the Immigration Authorities within 28 days after entering the UAE.
Original Passport
Original Entry Permit
Original medical certificate
7-Passport size photographs Dhs. 300/-(residence visa fee)
Duly filled in security form (only in Arabic)
Residence visa forms duly signed and sealed by the sponsor
Normally the Residence visa will be stamped in the Passport within 10 days valid for 3 years

Industrial and commercial properties in Dubai to be freehold

Decree allows UAE citizens to own industrial and commercial properties with full freehold legal status.UAE nationals will now be able to own industrial and commercial properties, granted by Dubai's government, with full freehold legal status and get title deeds registered through the Dubai Land Department.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, on Monday issued a decree regulating ownership of industrial and commercial plots granted to UAE nationals.

The decree allows every citizen who has been granted an industrial or commercial plot to apply to the Land and Properties Department to obtain a title deed with freehold status for the plot by registering it under his name.

Ownership

The decree also allows ownership of industrial or commercial land which previously changed hands but was not registered with the department.The move comes in line with the procedures to activate property and commercial sectors which are vital to Dubai's economy.

As per the decree the UAE nationals will be able to freely own these properties and act on them legally. These lands were earlier restricted to some extent by government regulations.

The Dubai government had granted thousands of plots to UAE nationals for commercial use.Emirati owners will have to pay 30 per cent of the value of the property to the Land Department as an ownership transfer and registration fee.The 30 per cent value of the land will be determined by the department on the date of transfer of ownership.

Investor confidence

Analysts say the decree will help boost confidence among investors as it opens up industrial and commercial plots for investment.

"Clearly, this has the potential to significantly change the real estate sector in the emirate," Blair Hugkull, managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle Middle East, told Gulf News.

For some time, Dubai's property sector remained too focused on residential property. This decree could change that.

"The previous real estate laws have helped Dubai in attracting foreign capital. However, since the residential property market currently has enough supplies, the new decree will help investors shift focus to industrial and commercial properties — that will help job creation," he said.