Residence visa renewal linked to tenancy contract in Sharjah

Sharjah: Thousands of families who live in shared accommodation in Sharjah will be hard hit by the new rule of the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department requiring a tenancy contract in the applicant's name or his close relative.

According to the new regulations, those applying for residency visas for their families should produce a copy of their tenancy contract.

The contract, which is considered proof of one's eligibility to afford a family, must be attested by the Sharjah Municipality.

Residents said they will have to send their families back home as it is no longer affordable to rent a one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment in Sharjah.

Many said since the rents started skyrocketing in Sharjah in the last two years by more than 30 to 50 per cent, people have opted for shared accommodation. Under the new rule they will not be able to renew their residency permits without having tenancy contracts in their names.

Lieutenant Colonel Salim Ali Mazaini, head of the visa section at the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department, told Gulf News that the rule has been introduced to ensure that only those who are financially capable of providing decent accommodation can bring their families to the emirate.

"We are not insisting that the tenancy contract should be in the applicant's name. The contract can be in the name of his close relatives also, such as a brother or sister," said Mazaini.

He added that it is acceptable to share living space with one's own family members, but not with friends.

According to him, the rule is not applicable to professionals like doctors, engineers and people in managerial positions because they earn enough money to sponsor their families.

"We are being very flexible and taking each application on a case by case basis. For example, if a family does not have children, a studio flat in their name is more than enough to get a family residence permit.

"Or if a family with one or two children can show that they are sharing a three-bedroom apartment with a close relative, it will also get them the residency status," Mazaini said.

However, some residents said their applications have been rejected even after they produced tenancy contracts of their relatives.

Hussain, a Sharjah resident who refused to give his second name, said his application to sponsor his family was rejected because he could not produce a tenancy contract.

"Now with this new rule, I doubt whether I can bring my wife and child to the UAE," said Hussain who works as an administrative assistant.

Another resident, Riyas Mohammad from Pakistan, said he has shelved his plan to bring his family because of the new regulations.

New categories: Renewal for one year only

The Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency department has also issued a list of 60 categories of low income groups including hairdressers, butchers, shop assistants, chefs, clerks and others for whom residency permits will be renewed only for a period of one year.

These categories must also get prior approval before their applications are typed.

The typing centres have been instructed that the categories listed below need prior approval before applications are typed.

Have your say
Do you think it is fair to link residence visa with accommodation? What impact will this have on residents in Sharjah? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the fdorm bellow to send your comments.

These are inconvenient rules, making things difficult day by day. What kind of difference are we talking about here? How can we ever interfere with an individual's personal choice to bring his family or not? If we don't want anyone to share their flats, then pull the rents down. What kind of new real estate strategy is this?
Rahman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 14:46

The new law is good as it will decongest Sharjah, as people with low incomes will start thinking of sending their families back home. Parents living alone will likely increase, and they will struggle to find accommodation as there will be strict control on shared accommodation of single men or women. Thus, they will end up with no place to stay. If someone chooses to bring their family and get a flat (sky-rocketing prices), it is as if you are working in your own country where income is only good for expenses and nothing is saved. The law is very one-sided; focused only to the working class.
Hpraas
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 14:16

This rule may even increase the rents further because the families who want to live in Sharjah have to keep a separate accommodation. The government then should also put a rule for minimum salary and a cap on rents so that people can afford to have a separate accommodation.
Kashif
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 13:59

Its very sad, and a bad thing that Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department is asking for tenancy contracts before renewing the visas. It?s very clear that they don?t want more people in their country. If they will not renew who will stays here without their families, it means they have to go back home to their country. I hope this rule does not come to Dubai.
Disha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 10:13

What about people who stay in Ajman with Sharjah Visa? Will they be eligible for renewing residence visa for their family?
Sandhya
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 08:22

Yes, I think this is going to have an effect on the people. The rent these days cannot be afforded by the 60% of the middleclass people who live here. They will have to send back their families home. This is going to make people unhappy. This in turn reflects in the Job they do. If the government thinks with this new rule people are going to take financial burden on them by taking flats which are such high priced just to keep their families here. I believe it is going to be A BIG NO. They will either leave with the family or stay single.
Sugith
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 08:19

The Government should carefully review the new rules before they implement because each area is affected. Opportunity to sponsor families will be very difficult.
Erma
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 08:12

Firstly, there is no control or regulation on Wage/Salary, secondly, this new rule. What is expected from the individual? If a family is willing to share their accommodation with another family, it is their choice. The Salaries here are not extravagant as to sustain a living in studio/single/double bedroom house.
Maneesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 08:01

Does not make any difference if we think its fair or not and it does not make any difference how we feel.
A Nasser
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 08:01

It is very fair coz the living conditions have become very pathetic in the UAE. One bedroom apartment can be shared upto 10 families this is very unhealthy and brings congestion in the cities as well in terms of traffic.
Mohamed
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: August 11, 2008, 07:39

Its the correct thing to do to insist on tenancy contract in own name, but its not correct to add professions into a seperate list to be renewed every year. I am a draughtsman since last 20 years and i earn more than enough. Why i have to be hassled every year ?
Imtiyaz M
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 06:49

This is very inhuman and a reckless decision without foresight. This will actually lead many middle class people to quit their job and go back their home country. One survey recently conducted by Gulf news clearly indicates that those drivers and employees who have their family here experience less job and mental stress than those who have their family back home. Another thing that will happen is small business people will not try to start /expand their business in Sharjah.
Dr.Pravin
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 03:29

It is sad to hear this recent news but whether it's fair or not we have to follow. We are expats so we need to provide what they need to comply.
Mary
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 02:21

Thats a greatt news, keep it on guys in sharjah as we are tired from bulks of people living in one flat, with this move thousands and thousands will leave out homes and rent in sharjah will go down dramatically as these fellows will move to ajman or UAQ or RAK .
osti
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 01:40

Well it is too difficult to afford for those having little salary. Those who share the accommodation with others is for the purpose of saving some money by the end of the month. I think it is no use for those to live and work here if they cant save money.
Saifoor
Ajman,UAE
Posted: August 11, 2008, 01:06