From the Editors: UAE simplifies residence visa

UAE SIMPLIFIES RESIDENCE VISA: UAE has simplified issuance of residence visas for expats in the country as they can now obtain their Emirates ID cards and visas through one application. Emirates ID cards have now officially replaced residence visa stickers on passports in the UAE, excluding Dubai, starting from May 16. The visa sticker with a person’s residency details will no longer take up a page in their passport - instead the details will be stored on their Emirates ID. The new rule will make life easier for expats as the change merges residence and identity card applications, instead of processing them separately. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE RENT GAINS: There are cost increases across the board as UAE consumers and businesses feel the same pulls and pressures that their peers in other countries do. This is why a good deal of thought needs to go into handling the steady rise in rents, especially in the residential space. Existing tenants cannot – and should not – be hit with 30 per cent spikes in landlords’ expectations. Sure, such increases are at the premium end of the rental market, for the villas and apartments on the Palm and Dubai Marina. But the thing about rental pressures is they have a way of filtering all the way down, far too easily and all too soon. Consumers and residents need to be on their guard – manage budgets with a good deal of planning. [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

PREMIER LEAGUE: LIVERPOOL HOPING AGAINST HOPE NOW: Even though Liverpool managed to stretch their the Premiership title-fight to last day of the season next Sunday, the Reds camp have tempered their expectations. Jurgen Klopp’s side beat Southampton 2-1 on Tuesday to leave them just a point behind City with one game left to play for both teams, but the ifs and buts now mean City need to fail to beat Aston Villa at home while Liverpool win their own game against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield to pip the reigning champions at the post. ‘’It is possible, not likely but possible. That is enough,’’ was all that Klopp would say. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

SHOWCASING DIVERSITY OF MOVIES: With the Cannes International Film Festival underway, the event will be buzzing with movie stars, directors, producers and more from all over the world. Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has already made her mark by celebrating India with a beautiful sari on the red carpet. She’s one of many celebrities who will be giving a face to film culture that goes beyond the usual fare from the West. Whether it’s Iranian, Egyptian or Korean movies, the international festival will shine a spotlight on unique stories from various perspectives.[COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto Assistant Editor – Features]