Ministries must maintain expat visas

ABU DHABI // The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has requested all independent federal ministries and federal authorities to maintain the visas of all non-Emiratis under their sponsorship.

Dr Abdelrahman Al Awar, Director General of FAGHR, issued a circular stressing that all entities must adhere to these laws to confirm the legal status of government employees in accordance government laws and regulations.

The circular was issued after a number of violations were discovered, reported Al Ittihad, the Arabic-language sister newspaper of The National.

A number of government employees were found to have been sponsored by other entities, a matter that is in violation of legislation.

Mr Al Awar said non-Emirati government employees must be sponsored by the entities that recruit them, in compliance with the provisions of Federal Law No. 6 of 1973 on entry and residence of foreigners.

Only women employees with temporary and part-time contracts are allowed to be sponsored by their husbands, for reasons of flexibility in recruitment procedures, according to the bylaws.