SOURCE : EMIRATES BUSINESS

DUBAI - AUG 26: Master developers in Dubai have removed the clause that guarantees a residence visa for property buyers from contracts they enter into with sub-developers, Emirates Business has learnt.

"There was a clause in our previous contracts that assured us that master developers will guarantee residence visa. The clause has now been removed," a developer said on condition of anonymity.

Emaar Properties, the master developer of Burj Dubai and Dubai Marina, has sent a notice to sub-developers to hold processing of residency visas until further notice.

However, master developers that replied to an Emirates Business questionnaire made it clear that they were just "facilitators" and the granting of residency visa was in the hands of the Department of Naturalisation and Residency.

"We do not assure property buyers residence visas. For freehold property buyers across Dubai, the grant of residence visas is subject to the rules, requirements and procedures of the Department of Naturalisation and Residency, not the developer," Union Properties said in a statement.

A Nakheel spokesperson stressed: "Upon the purchase of a Nakheel property, we will provide customers the basis for sponsorship, although the grant of a residence visa is still subject to the rules, requirements and procedures of the Department of Naturalisation and Residency."

According to Dubai Properties Group Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Binbrek, his company "never assured any visa and was just acting as a facilitator".

In the past few years, developers in Dubai have advertised freehold property with the sweetener of a guaranteed residence visa. However, of late, advertisements have stopped highlighting this aspect. This newspaper had reported earlier that master developers in Ajman have given a written assurance to sub-developers on grant of residency visa, which will be valid for one year and will have to be renewed annually.