Dubai may expand sponsorship right to Gulf nationals

Dubai may allow citizens from Gulf Arab states other than the United Arab Emirates to set up joint ventures with non-Gulf foreigners, the Al Bayan newspaper reported.

Under current regulations, foreigners need a UAE sponsor or partner to work in the federation, unless they are employed in companies based in government-owned free zones.

Citizens from member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council will be allowed to set up partnerships with foreigners in Dubai for ventures that bring economic benefit to the UAE or technology transfer, Dubai Economic Department Director of Business Registration Ahmad Ibrahim told Al Bayan.

Besides the UAE, the GCC gathers Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. Dubai is one of the seven emirates making up the UAE.