Dubai :Expatriates who want to sponsor their families are being refused visas after a change in rule meant those earning a basic monthly wage of less than Dh10,000 no longer qualify.
The decision to hike the eligibility level by Dh6,000 (it was Dh4,000, or Dh3,000 with accommodation before) was made last week in Dubai. The revised rule covers all Dubai expatriates who plan to bring their families to the emirate but will not affect those renewing the residence visas of their families already living here.
The decision is applicable to all nationalities.
Reports say that immigration department, in some cases, could take into consideration the number of years of service of an expatriate before issuing a residence visa for his family. The grade they are in also matters, which means a manager who earns Dh8,000 may be allowed to sponsor his wife based on his years of stay in the UAE.
Immigration officials clarified that the conditions remain unchanged for visit visas for families — Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 with company accommodation.
Applicants of all nationalities except Egyptian and Syrian countries need to be drawing a monthly salary of only Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 as well as accommodation as was the case before.
