ABU DHABI // Top UAE officials have rubbished as false a Gulf News report that expatriates from 57 different work categories would now be allowed to get visas for their families to live here.
The ban on certain lower-income occupations being eligible for visa sponsorship has not been lifted, they said.
Major Gen Nasser al Minhali, assistant undersecretary of the residency and ports affairs at the Ministry of Interior, said: “There is no such story. It was made up.” A separate Ministry of Interior official confirmed there had been no change in policy.
Gulf News reported today that workers from semi-skilled categories such as cooks, drivers, electricians and labourers could now bring each member of their family to live with them here by paying a Dh5,000 deposit per family member.
These categories of low-income workers were restricted from visa sponsorship in January 2009 because, officials said, their salaries did not meet the requirements of the UAE's naturalisation and residency laws.
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