New rules for dubai residency

Government officials in Dubai are in talks to introduce a new law that would clarify the rules on issuing residency visas to property buyers in Dubai - and it could be introduced as soon as this year...

Traditionally, there has been confusion around the promise that buying a freehold property in Dubai came with a 99-year residency visa included as part of the deal.

Although there was no law to back this up, many property companies were using it as a sales tool and it helped to seal many deals from international investors keen to nab a UAE visa as part of their property package.

Now, Government officials have said that the property companies didn't have the right to offer the visa promise and that new laws are needed to clear up any lingering confusion.

Hamad Buamim, Director General of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, "We believe this has to be cleared up.

"We raised it to the Government and the Government came back and said there is a law that will come very soon and we feel it has to come.

"The law will clarify who deserves a visa in terms of their investment in the real estate," he added.

Although there are rumours that the law will be passed this year, it may well be a long drawn out process as it has to come through a decree issued by the Government, seconded by the Ministry of Interior and then approved by the immigration authorities.

It is clearly very important to get this matter clarified as soon as possible as many people are still under the impression that purchasing a freehold property is all they need to do in order to secure a residency visa for Dubai, but that is not the case and there are no laws backing that claim up.

Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, Second Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Chamber said, "I do advocate the concept that we should have an official spokesman, who addresses these issues in a very clear and transparent manner," he said.

Picture by susush