UAE Wins Praise For Its Flexible Immigration And Residency Rules

A recent report is claiming the UAE has the world’s most flexible immigration rules.

According to a report by the International Institute for Management Development, the UAE ranks at global number one for the flexibility of its residency rules. The World Competitiveness Report measures the willingness of over 60 world countries to use digital technology as their motivation for essential economic transformation both in government, society and commercial enterprises.

Head of the emirates’ Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs Mohammad al Marri called the result a testimony to the government and Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al Maktoum. According to al Marri, the government is striving to offer amenities and comprehensive facilities for all who wish to visit or become resident in the UAE, as well as making it easier for expatriates to bring their families to live with them.

In addition, the emirate also won praise for its public-private partnerships, social responsibility, lack of bureaucracy, efficiency in allocating government spending and several other aspects including the resilience of its economy. Also much praised was the UAE’s continuing preservation and improvement of the rights of all its residents.

At the same time, members of Bahrain’s Shura Council have vetoed efforts by parliament to ban expat property ownership across a swathe of Bahraini districts. Reasons behind the rejection include the negative effect it would have on the emirate’s real estate market as well as on the economy. A report on the issue noted the property sector was already feeling the strain of present economic conditions and needs stimulating rather than the imposition of more restrictions.