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According to The National, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Labour (MOL) plans to reform the system by which it accepts work permit applications through external typing offices, following reports of abuse, including forgery. The external typing offices submit applications directly to the MOL on behalf of individuals and companies, collect ministry fees and fines, and provide legal advice. There are approximately 5,000 of these offices, and currently they can operate without a license.

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In an effort to prevent fraud and identity theft, next month the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Federal Naturalisation and Residency Department will require applicants for residency visas to provide fingerprint samples. As reported by gulfnews.com, the measure is designed to enhance secure identification and prevent entry of persons with criminal records – said individuals will be denied visas and turned over to police officials.

A fingerprint database is being constructed and eventually all foreign UAE residents will have to submit biometric information for visas. Current residents will provide fingerprints upon submitting a renewal application.

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Immigration officials of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) likely will approve a single visa application system, which would allow Gulf visitors entry to all six of the GCC member countries (the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait). As reported at zawya.com, the single Gulf visa application system was proposed and favorably received at a recent meeting of undersecretaries of GCC interior ministries. GCC representatives also are discussing a range of issues regarding security coordination among the member countries, aiming to facilitate movement of Gulf citizens and foreign residents within the GCC.

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As reported by the Al Arabiya News Channel, the United Arab Emirates Minister of the Interior has issued a decree granting expatriate property owners multiple-entry visitor visas allowing them to stay six months at a time. Previously, the UAE had allowed foreign investment in property, but the residency rights of foreigners who purchased residential property were unclear.

Details of the decree include:

• Owners of developed properties (wholly-owned residential units, suitable for accommodating a family) can stay for six months from the date of entry into the UAE.
• The visa does not allow the property owner to work in the UAE.
• Upon expiration of the six month period, the property owner must return to his or her home country or any of the GCC countries.
• The initial six month visa may be renewed if certain conditions (minimum monthly income and property value) are met.
• The property must be worth at least AED 1 million ($272,300), and the owner’s fixed income must be at least AED 10,000 ($2,723) a month, or the equivalent in foreign currency.

Property analysts commented that the new policy still required clarification before it would have the intended effect of reviving the UAE’s real estate market. For example, it is unclear whether the decree applies to leasehold as well as freehold properties.

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The Minister of Labour for the United Arab Emirates has announced proposed legal revisions that would allow foreign workers who have lost their jobs to stay in the UAE for up to six months. Currently, expatriates need to leave the UAE within one month after their employment is terminated. As reported in The National, the proposed law would apply to workers of all nationalities and would extend their visas by between three and six months, depending on the worker’s job. Also, visa application fees would be reduced for companies that hire unemployed workers already in the UAE. The legislation is awaiting approval by the Cabinet and is expected to become law within two months.

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Under new United Arab Emirates visa regulations effective at the end of July, jobseekers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Philippines and Bangladesh, who currently are not subject to visa fees, will have to pay a refundable deposit of Dh1,000 ($272) and secure health insurance while they look for work. One likely result of the new regulations, as reported at portstrategy.com, is a rush of would-be workers in the port of Dubai in the spring and early summer. Another probable consequence is that potential employers and recruitment agencies will need to search abroad to find workers in order to avoid a labor shortage. Anyone found working while on a visit visa can be fined more than Dh50,000 ($13,617) and banned from re-entering the UAE. Employers also will be subject to strict penalties for violations.

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