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New visa terms not to target anyone, clarifies ministry

A top official at the Ministry of Interior has clarified that the decision taken by the General Department of Naturalisation and Residency in Abu Dhabi making an attested copy of the tenancy contract or a utility bill mandatory for getting a residence visa or renewing it is not to target anyone, ..

but is just an administrative order aimed at locating the addresses of people and tracking down illegal residents easily.

Major-General Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali, Assistant Undersecretary for Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs in the ministry, said on Tuesday, “The decision is meant to make sure that the current place of residence of residents is updated in the system as the addresses given in the past by residents were somewhat unclear, inaccurate and unreachable when needed.”

In a reply to a number of queries about the ordinance and how it affects individuals who are sharing houses with others and their employees, Maj-Gen Al Menhali said this order is applicable to all persons who have known addresses of residence, and shall be applied in all emirates of the country.

He made it clear that a tenancy contract or an electricity and water bill is required while renewing a residence visa to prove one’s legal residence. The workers, who are supported with group accommodation by their companies, have to bring the documents to prove where they reside.

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