No visa to large families living in small flats

Dubai, Aug 14 (UNI) Dubai may refuse to renew residence visas to those who have a large family living in small accommodation.

The renewal of residency visas is now linked to the size of the family and accommodation, said Brigadier Obeid Muheir bin Suroor, Acting Director of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).

Brig Suroor told the Khaleej Times that the DNRD would not be issuing or renewing residency visas for families unless they were staying in a 'proper accommodation'.

Meanwhile Sharjah is bringing a rule making it compulsory to have a tenancy contract in one's own name for applying for residence visas.

The moves will hit mostly low income Asian expatriates and may be aimed at reducing their number in the UAE. As the rents have gone very high, already many are not able to keep the families here.

UNI XC RJ AS1300