Low-salaried in Abu Dhabi can sponsor relatives for residence

Dubai, Nov 13 (UNI) The expatriates living in Abhu Dhabi earning less than 4000 Dhirams can now sponsor their spouses or next of kin for a year.

The Naturalisation and Residency Department in Abu Dhabi has started issuing one-year residence visa for the next of kin of those fetching a monthly salary of 4,000 Dhirams or less, the Khaleej Times said.

Major Nasir Al Awadi Al Menhaly, head of the department said, the decision came in line with the directives of Major-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior in a bid to unite families by allowing sons and daughters to take care of their parents.

He added that each and every resident of the UAE is allowed to obtain a residence visa for 'next of kin' by paying a guarantee amount of 5,000 Dhirams, which will be refunded immediately by the Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residency Department after the person being sponsored leaves the country.

Earlier on, the department used to reject such requests for visas available only for those drawing monthly salary of 3,000 Dhirams plus accommodation provided by their employer, or those who received 4,000 Dhirams a month including housing allowance, he said.

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