Best options to rent an apartment for those moving out of shared accommodation

Best options to rent an apartment for those moving out of shared accommodation

Studio flats in Sharjah and Ajman comparatively cheaper than those available in Dubai

Now that the confusion on whether to provide tenancy contracts and utility bills across the UAE to get the residence visa renewed is over, families living in shared accommodation will have to look out to rent an apartment.

And if International City or Dubai Academic City, where rents for a studio apartment range between Dh17,500 and Dh19,000, it may still exceed the budget of those earning a minimum Dh4,000 per month salary, the only alternative is to move to the Northern Emirates. Moreover, if the family has one earning member (his spouse isn’t working), then those earning the minimum salary of Dh4,000 pm can find the best alternatives in Sharjah or Ajman, where a studio apartment is available for less than Dh850 a month (read: only rent). The apartment size could vary between 350 and 400 square feet.

Sharjah, however, allows three people to share a studio apartment, but there is no such limit yet applicable in Ajman.

A salaried individual in the UAE can sponsor his family provided he earns a minimum salary of Dh4,000 per month (pm) and has his own accommodation, or earns Dh3,000 pm with company accommodation.

KK Ashraf and his family share a three bedroom apartment in Karama, Dubai, with two other family. He says he currently is paying Dh1,700 per month in rent.

“We have been sharing the apartment with my friend’s family for the past three years. Previously, we were sharing a villa in Al Rashidiya. We were never asked for a rent contract. I am a bit confused about whether to move to Sharjah and save on rent, or pay more than 35 per cent of my salary for housing in Dubai.”

Usman Ali, who shares an apartment in Bur Dubai, says he moved to Dubai to avoid the peak hour traffic of Sharjah. He pays Dh2,000 per month for the shared accommodation.

“I know I can get a one-bed apartment in Sharjah. I moved here as I work close by. Our only hope to stay in Bur Dubai totally depends on the authorities as you don’t know they might reconsider their decision again,” he mentions.

On Tuesday, Major General Nassir Al Minhali, the Ministry’s assistant undersecretary for naturalization and residence, confirmed that expatriate applicants must produce a tenancy contract for the renewal of their visas

The new rule is intended to allow authorities to locate their residence as “addresses given in previous applications are not clear or accurate.”

He said those sharing accommodation must also present proof of their residence by submitting a tenancy contract or utility bill in their names.

“The decision is not targeting any party or property group but it will serve those departments seeking accurate data about foreigners’ residences…this measure is not exclusive for the UAE as it is enforced in all advanced countries.”

So if you are looking for a house, here are the best (cheapest) alternatives for families:

Sharjah

-Studio and one bed apartment in Rolla : Dh10,000 to Dh14,000 pa

-Studio apartment in Al Qulaya: Dh15,000 pa

-Studio apartment in Al Taawun area: Dh19,000 pa

-One bed unit in Al Mina Road: Dh17,000 pa

-Studio apartment on Al Wahda Road: Dh13,000 pa

-Studio, one bed units in Al Buteena: Dh13,000 to Dh17,000 pa

Ajman

-Studio, one bed units in Falcon Tower: Dh13,000 to Dh16,000 pa

-Studio apartments in Al Naemiyah: Dh10,000 pa

-Studio, one bed units in Horizon Tower: Dh12,000 to Dh15,000 pa

Dubai

-Studio apartments in Skycourts: Dh18000-22,000 pa

-Studio apartments in Deira: Dh20,000 pa

-Studio apartments in International City: Dh17,500 to Dh19,000 pa

-Studio apartments in Dubai Academic City: Dh18,000 pa

-Studio apartments in IMPZ: Dh17,000 pa

 

Visa on Arrival Rules

Majority of visitors to UAE will have to obtain a visa prior to entering the emirate. Citizens of certain countries (GCC nationals and nationals of listed countries) do not require visa prior to arrival at the UAE airport. For the rest, who do not fall into this category, there are other efficient systems in place.
The kind of visa required by you to enter into UAE will depend on various factors such as your nationality, purpose of visit, and duration of stay. The visa rules change from time to time. Although, these details are an endeavour from our side to keep you updated, you are advised to check with your regional UAE embassy or consulate or the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department, to keep yourself updated.

Visa Exemption

If you are a national of any GCC country, you do not require a visa to visit the UAE. You only need to produce your GCC country passport on arrival at the entry point in the UAE.

Visa on Arrival

Visitors falling under the below categories will receive visit visa on their arrival at the airport:
GCC Residents: Residents who are not GCC nationals, but, have high professional status, such as business men, company managers, accountants, auditors, engineers, doctors, pharmacists, or employees (and their families) working in the public sector, drivers and personal staff under their sponsorship, are all eligible for non-renewable 30-day visa on arrival, at approved points of entry. However, a valid passport with valid GCC residence stamp, along with proof of employment in the country of residence, may require to be produced for this category.

Nationals eligible for visa on arrival

Nationals belonging to the following countries will be granted visa on arrival in Dubai and UAE. Therefore, no prior arrangements have to made, and the visa stamp is free on arriving at the Dubai International Airport or other airports in UAE. However, this list may vary from time to time, and it is therefore advised that you check with your airline or local UAE embassy before entering UAE.
United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Monaco, Spain, Finland, Andorra, Vatican, Liechtenstein, Marino, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Japan, Singapore, San Marino, South Korea, Malaysia, and holders of Hong Kong SAR passports.
Note: Effective 2nd January 2011, Canadian nationals require a visa to enter the UAE. They are not eligible for a free visit visa on arrival in the UAE. They will have to apply in advance for a UAE visit visa or UAE tourist visa.

Sponsored Visa

In case, you do not fit into any of the above mentioned categories, you will require a sponsor for your visit, and the sponsor will have to apply for the visa on your behalf. Valid sponsors are those who fit into any of the below mentioned categories:

• Hotel and Tourist Companies. They can apply on your behalf, either for a Visit Visa (with validity period of 30 days), or Tourist Visa (valid for 30 days) or Service Visa (valid for 14 days).
• Airlines and Airline Handlers who can apply on behalf of their crew members for a 96-hour Transit Visa
• Other UAE-based organizations. But, they can apply only for Visit Visas and Service Visas
• Individuals (Friends or Relatives) who already reside in the UAE, can also apply on your behalf for a Visit Visa, but, may be subject to certain guidelines.

Amer mobile visa service

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs in Dubai is said to have introduced a mobile visa service to organisations and individuals in Dubai. You need to call 800-5111 to arrange for the visa, and the staff of the Amer Service can visit you if required, at an additional fee. The operating times are 08:00-20:00hrs (Sunday to Thursday only).

Distinguished Guest System (DG System)

This is a special service for people who frequently visit Dubai (Managers, Business men, and VIPs) of all nationalities. The service offers special amenities allowing the D G to enter city several times during a limited period (as specified by the sponsor), and execute transactions at a faster pace, by issuing visa electronically through the system during each visit. The D G will be mostly be given E-Gate card for entry/exit purpose.
Establishments can register for the DG System. The person seeking the DG system should not be less than 18 years of age. This service is open to all nations eligible for visa-on-arrival at UAE. However, the applicant should have entered UAE previously by visit visa.

Visit Visa for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah

The Visit Visa is applicable to tourists, who intend to spend more than 14 days in the UAE, and those coming for family visits as well as those on long-term business visit. It requires the sponsorship of UAE resident or any company or hotel licensed to operate within the country.
Visit visas for immediate family members can be obtained by residents (sponsors) with monthly salary of minimum Dh.4000 or Dh.3000 (with accommodation). The short-term visit visas are valid for 30 days, while long term visas stand valid for 90 days. However, no extensions are permissible beyond this period.
A refundable deposit fee of Dh.2000 guarantee from expatriates who intend to sponsor spouse or first-degree relatives is imposed. The visa is valid for entry within 60 days from date of issue and is renewable for another 30 days, if required, although a fee of Dh.500 is charged for renewal.

Documents required for visit visa

• Typed application form
• Copy of sponsor’s passport and family member’s passport
• Photo of family member
• Marriage contract attested by Ministry of Foreign Affairs or UAE Embassy (in case of sponsoring spouse)
• Attested birth certificates (if sponsoring children)
• Relationship proof from the Embassy (if the relationship cannot be proved from family names in sponsor’s passport)
• Attested job contract if sponsor works in private company / salary certificate if working in public sector
• Travel insurance

Visit Visa Application Process

• Visit any authorized typing office and get application typed.
• Visit DNRD and submit it, along with required documents to the visa section.
• Send a copy/original visa document to your relative. If only the copy was sent to family member, submit the original at the airport or DNATA counter at DNRD.
• For more info, visit DNDR

Visit Visa Fee

Short term visa: Dh.620 (application fee + typing fees)
Long term visa: Dh.1120 (application fee+ typing fees)
A deposit of AED 1000 to be paid, which can be reimbursed after your relative has left the country.

Visit Visa Renewal

Visit visa renewal is possible only once in UAE. The new visa rules suggest that on expiry of visa, you must leave the UAE for a month before re-entering the country.
However, there are conflicting information seen about whether visit visa is renewable. The DNRD visa site says visit visa is not renewable. Therefore, visit the website DNDR from time to time, to keep yourself updated about the changing rules.

Tourist Visa

Tourist Visa is a special category of Visa under Visit Visa, which could be obtained for individual tourists from East and West Europe, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Russia, Albania, Hellenic Republic, St. Lucia, St. Kitts Navis, Cuba, Mexico, Bermuda, Cuba, Guyana, Belize, French Guiana, Martinique, Barbuda and Antigua, Kingston, St. Vincent, Palao and other non-defined American nationalities, South Africa, Thailand, China, Singapore, Cyprus and Malta.
The Tourist Visa permits the holder to stay for duration of 30 days and is non-renewable. The visa requires sponsorship of hotels and tour operators who bring in visitors from the said countries.

Multiple Entry Visa

Multiple-Entry Visas are issue to business visitors who have a relationship with either a multi-national or other reputed local company, and are frequent visitors to the UAE. This sort of visa is valid for period of six months from the date of issue with a 30-day duration period. The validity is non-renewable and the visa costs Dh.1000.
Those seeking Multiple Entry Visas will have to enter UAE on a visit visa and obtain the Multiple Entry Visa while in the country. The visa is stamped on the passport.
German Citizens: The German Citizens (tourists or business people) need to apply to the UAE embassy in Germany for a one or two year multiple-entry visa. No sponsor is required. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed three months a year.
US Citizens: The US Citizens (tourists or businessmen) can apply to the UAE embassies in the US for one to ten year multiple-entry visas. A sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed six months per visit.

Transit Visa - 96-hour Visa Transit Passengers:

The transit passengers stopping in at Dubai International Airport for a minimum of 8 hours are eligible for the 96-hour Transit Visa, provided they are sponsored only by the Airlines, and their applications confirm onward booking to a 3rd destination.
For transit passengers or those holding special permits, or for a visit or mission, the passport or the document should be valid for a minimum of three months.
Citizens from countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Niger, Iraq and Yemen are not eligible for 96-hour visa on arrival.

Kindly note: Visa rules are subject to sudden change without warning. The UAE Embassy in your country or the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), the relevant authority in the UAE, is the only source of information that can be relied upon. The validity period for a free visit visa on arrival change often.

UAE Visa Rules

General information about visa requirements and different types of visas in the UAE has been listed below. However, the visa regulations are subject to change and therefore, should be verified with the travel agent or nearest UAE embassy or consulate or your airline before travel.
Citizens from 33 countries listed herein do not require visas prior to arrival at the UAE airport. Nationals from GCC countries do not require a visa to visit the UAE. They only need to produce their GCC country passport at the entry point in UAE. However, people entering the UAE for employment, will require a visa which could be obtained through their employer or sponsor. The kind of visa required for entry into the UAE is dependent on several factors such as nationality, purpose of travel, duration of stay etc. A penalty charge of Dh.100 per day is imposed on visitors who overstay.

Visa on arrival granted to following categories:

AGCC Residents: are residents who are not GCC nationals, but hold high professional status such as Company Managers, Accountants, Auditors, Business People, Engineers, Doctors, Pharmacists or employees working in public sector, their families, drivers and personal staff sponsored by them, are eligible for non-renewable 30-day visa on arrival at approved ports of entry. National Citizens of the following countries: UK(with the right of abode in UK), France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and holders of Hong Kong SAR passports will be granted a free of charge visa for a single visit upon arrival in the UAE. It should be noted that this list is subject to change from time to time and it is therefore best to check with local UAE embassy or the airline used for travel to UAE.

Visa not required for:

AGCC Citizens: Citizens of Arab Gulf Co-operation Council member states, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman do not require a visa. Visitors, who do not fall into any of the said categories, will require a visa and a sponsor for their visit. The sponsor usually applies for the visa on behalf of the visitor. Valid Sponsors: Hotel and Tourism Companies can apply for visas on behalf of the tourist for a Tourist Visa with 30 days validity, or a Service Visa valid for 14 days or a Visit Visa valid for 30 days which could be extended by another 30 days. Airlines and Airline Handlers are eligible to apply on behalf of their crew members for a 96-hour Transit Visa. Even other organizations based in the UAE may can apply for Visit Visas and Service Visas. Individuals (friends or relatives), who are already residents in the UAE, subject to guidelines, can also apply on your behalf for a Visit Visa.

Entry Service Permit:

An Entry Service Permit is applicable to the following categories and their families, such as Company Manager’s representatives, Account Auditors, Sales Managers, delegations from companies or establishments to carry out commercial activity in the UAE, consultants sought by the UAE companies to perform certain urgent tasks. The visa will have to be used within 14 days from date of issue, as it is non-renewable. This type of entry permit will be issued only for urgent purposes, and the holder may enter and depart the UAE through any airport. The Entry Service Permit Visa can also be availed by nationalities authorized to obtain a tourist visa, as per the decision by the Ministerial Council.

Visa delivery service to airport:

Visit visas and entry permits obtained by sponsors for visitors to UAE should be normally delivered minimum three hours in advance to the airport before the arrival of the visitor. Visitors will have to look for a DNATA or DNRD visa delivery counter at the Dubai International Airport or near the arrivals area.

Short Term Visa Types:

Other visit visas all of which require a deposit of Dh.1000 include:

Student Visit Visa

The student must be registered at the UAE University (for short-term courses) and should already hold a residence visa (for long-term course). It can be renewed twice for Dh.500.

Conference/Exhibition Visa

Is valid for 30 days for Dh.100 and is non-renewable

Medical Visit Visa

Is renewable for 90 days for Dh.500 and costs Dh.1000.

Property Visa

For most if not all of Dubai Property purchases, these pieces were suspended. Inquire with the appropriate government authority in Dubai with the master developer. Do not however take the word of the property developer or the real estate agent.

Investor Visa

For Expats who invest a minimum of Dh.70,000 share capital under a business partnership with a UAE national. This visa has a 3-year validity with a visa fee of Dh.300.

Mission Visa

There are a couple of types of mission visas in Dubai and UAE area. A 90-day visa (be careful, that’s not necessarily three months) is called a mission visa and it is for the express purpose of permitting expats to be employed there for short time; it is also for probationary workers. The sponsoring company applies for it at the department of labor. It may be multi-entry and/or renewable. A visa for special mission entry is good for 16 days and is referred to as a Dubai transit visa (do not confuse this with the transit visa that is good for 96 hours). It is good only for single entry and cannot be renewed.

Parent Visa:

UAE residents can sponsor parents for a period of one year, which could be renewed under special permission from the FNRD. A refundable deposit of Dh.5000 (per parent) and visa fee of Dh.100 will be charged.

Kindly note: Visa rules are subject to sudden change without warning. The UAE Embassy in your country or the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), the relevant authority in the UAE, is the only source of information that can be relied upon. The validity period for a free visit visa on arrival change often.