Dubai gearing for visa ban on Expats

Dubai is altogether gearing for implementing a six month ban on all categories of expatriates who are seeking for changing their jobs and transfer their sponsorships. The Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRDs) are preparing for the implementation.

According to the top official of Sharjah Residency and Naturalisation Department said the majority will have to leave according to the Cabinet's decision which said that expatriates of all categories should leave the country for six months. They should re-enter the country with a new visa and a new labour permit. Expatriates holding masters or doctorate degrees are exempted from the ban.

Officials of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the NRDs are informing expatriates who wish to transfer their sponsorship about the new procedures so that they make their plans in advance. Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department said the six month ban will not be applicable for those who possess skills that are wanted.

Colonel Saeed Matter bin Bleilah, Director-General of the DNRD, said the department has been applying the six-month ban in only a few cases under the instructions of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence.