Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

Guys i have a question re owneership of freehold property giving you automatic rights to obtaining permanent residence visa and the implications from that right regarding paying off outstanding debt.

Basically mine's a familiar story - Got laid off in dubai last month and now in Qatar with same company. The dubai office want to cancel my visa there which would mean me having to pay off all outstanding debt something i want to avoid doing right now.

I own a property in dubai marina, not yet built but under progress. I heard that owning freehold property gave you legal right to holding a permanent residence visa - if this is true would that mean i no longer need to pay off outstanding loans to bank straight away? As its an islamic mortage I am not stricly the owner of the property but wouldn't whether i could still obtain a resi visa through holding an interest in the property.

Any help much appreciated, cheers.

duncheski wrote:giving you automatic rights to obtaining permanent residence visa

That's not correct and never has been. You are entitled to apply but approval depends on what immigration department says, not the property developer.

duncheski wrote:I heard that owning freehold property gave you legal right to holding a permanent residence visa

You heard wrong I'm afraid.

The residence visa with property is in a state of limbo at the moment. I'm not sure whether you can even apply. You could try contacting the developer of your property and/or the DNRD. It might be a go if the property is complete and you have title deed in your name.