UAE to allow low-skilled, semi-skilled expatriate workers to sponsor families

DUBAI - Some categories of foreign workers in the United Arab Emirates, who were previously been barred from sponsoring their children and family members can now do so by depositing Dh5,000 per person, a senior official from the country’s Interior Ministry has said.

Major General Nasser Al-Awadi Al Menhali, Assistant Undersecretary for Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs at the Interior Ministry, said that 57 categories of workers previously barred from sponsoring family members’ residence visas would now be able to do so.

“Previously, some professions such as drivers, bakers, tailors and cooks were not allowed to sponsor their family members, regardless of how much money they earned,” Gulf News quoted Menhali, as saying.

“Now we have solved their issues by allowing them to sponsor their families if they pay the required deposit,” he added.

Menhali said that the decision applied mostly to low-skilled and semi-skilled workers.

The affected categories include welders, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, plumbers, mechanics, laundry workers, car washers, grocers, sales people, butchers and construction workers. (ANI)