No UAE visa without tenancy contract

ABU DHABI // Expatriates applying for or renewing a residence visa are now required to produce a valid tenancy contract for where they live.

They must also provide recent power and water bills as proof of address. The tenancy contract and the bills must be attested by the relevant municipality and utility provider.

The new rules have been introduced by the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners' Affairs. They will help the Ministry of Interior to develop a database of residents, said Maj Gen Nasser Al Menhali, an assistant undersecretary at the ministry.

Some expatriates have already experienced difficulty with the new rules.

One Abu Dhabi resident trying to renew his visa said: "I produced the landlord's copy of the tenancy agreement, which is registered with the Abu Dhabi municipality.

"But when I reached the counter they told me the format for attestation is not ready. They don't know when it's going to be ready."

anwar@thenational.ae

UPDATE: Got a question regarding the new visa rules? Visit here to get your answers.