Women seek clarity on new sponsorship rule in UAE

Some female residents who are planning to sponsor their husbands have expressed confusion following the federal government's announcement on Sunday that salary and not job title will be used as the basis for residence visa applications. They said Amer centres seem unaware of the new rule.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on Monday, Indian expat Nitasha PK said she was initially elated after reading the report that any "UAE resident, male or female, can sponsor family members (spouse, under-18 sons and unmarried daughters), provided he/she earns a monthly salary of Dh4,000 or at least Dh3,000 plus accommodation from the company".
The Khaleej Times report was based on an announcement by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) on July 14.
The FAIC announced that it is adopting Cabinet Resolution No.30 for 2019 changing the main condition of acquiring residency from employment to income.
Major General Saeed Al Rashidi, director-general of foreigners affairs and ports at the FAIC, explained in a Press release: "The sponsor, whether male or female, must present a certified marriage certificate and their children's birth certificates translated into Arabic, as well as proof of their monthly income. A wife wishing to sponsor their children must attach a certified written agreement from her husband."
After reading the news, Nitasha called an Amer call centre, a one-stop facility for visa and immigration-related services in Dubai, on Monday to inquire about sponsoring her husband, who recently lost his job.
Nitasha said an Amer agent explained that she cannot sponsor her husband because her monthly income is less than the required amount. It was explained to Nitasha, who works as a communications specialist, that a female resident can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit and her monthly salary is Dh10,000 or Dh9,000 plus free accommodation.
The Amer agent added that only an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any other profession related to the medical sector can sponsor a family member even though her salary is Dh4,000 or at least Dh3,000 plus accommodation provided by the company.
Nitasha, who is now the sole bread winner in a family of four, earns around Dh8,500, inclusive of transportation and housing allowances. She said the visa of her husband and two children will expire next month.
Filipina expat Maureen Arevalo, a Dubai resident of eight years who works as an accountant at a trading firm, said there has to be some exemptions.
"I'm earning a little less than Dh10,000 a month but I think I can make both ends meet to support my kids and allow them to live with me here in Dubai," said Arevalo, adding: "In the past eight years, I only see my kids once every year when I go on a my month-long holiday.
"They have grown big now and I miss those years that they were not with me. I hope someday I can bring them here," she added.
Khaleej Times is awaiting response from the FAIC for clarifications it has sought in this regard.
(With inputs from Ismail Sebugwaawo)
angel@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE

Angel Tesorero

angel@khaleejtimes.com