IMPACT – MEDIUM

Authorities in Abu Dhabi continue to request additional documents from dependent visa applicants who live in Dubai or an emirate other than Abu Dhabi.

Key Points:

  • As a general matter, Abu Dhabi authorities no longer accept tenancy contracts from Dubai or other emirates when processing dependent residence visa applications. Some exceptions are made, but authorities have grown increasingly strict about the types of documentation they require when the applicant does not have an Abu Dhabi tenancy contract.
  • Initially, authorities were willing to accept tenancy contracts from Dubai or another emirate if applicants also provided an undertaking letter stating that they would have a lease agreement in Abu Dhabi the next time they applied for a dependent residence visa.
  • Increasingly, authorities are requesting additional documentation, including a copy of the trade license of the other emirate branch for the Abu Dhabi company that employs the principal visa holder and a branch confirmation letter from the Abu Dhabi company. This documentation is being requested in addition to (not instead of) the undertaking letter.

BAL Analysis: Applicants for dependent residency visas, including renewals, should take note of the rules and make sure they have followed proper procedures in order to avoid unnecessary processing or having their applications rejected. For the time being, applicants should expect they will have to provide (1) a tenancy contract from Dubai or another emirate, (2) an undertaking letter, (3) a copy of the relevant trade license and (4) a confirmation letter from the Abu Dhabi company. The rules may change with little or no notice, and those with questions about what documentation will be required in their specific case should contact BAL.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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