British missions reduce services for expatriates

DOCUMENT, NOTARIAL FACILITIES TO BE HALTED FROM DECEMBER 1

British missions in the UAE are withdrawing a shortlist of notarial and documentary services for expatriates as part of consular changes by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ( FCO).

As an alternative, diplomatic staff will offer a list of private UAE- based lawyer services to free up staffing resources at embassy compounds for more critical expatriate needs.

The changes take effect on December 1.

“This will allow staff to concentrate on helping the more vulnerable and distressed British nationals, such as mental health patients with no family in the UAE and victims of serious assault,” said the FCO in a statement yesterday.

Some services continued

Consular staff will no longer provide letters of “no objection” to sponsor a spouse; certified copies of UK documents such as British passports or UK bank statements, oaths, declarations, and affirmations ( except for marriage purposes) or the witnessing of signatures.

“Our office in now contacting every British national within our reach to explain the services that we will no longer provide and who the alternative provider will be,” the embassy stated.

Some services will continue to be offered including affidavits for marriages performed

As an alternative, diplomatic staff will offer a list of private UAE- based lawyers to free up staffing resources at the missions for more critical expatriate needs.

in UAE churches and courts, no objection letters to adopt and providing certain certified documents when an authority will not accept any other attestation other than UK Embassy confirmation.

Gulf News spoke with UK nationals yesterday who declined to publicly admonish the UK government for reducing services but they did note they didn’t like the idea of removing document services when formal documents are often needed to obtain domestic services within the UAE.

One UK national said that removing some services will add hurdles to difficult document requirements. “It greatly adds to the time it can take to get the proper documents,” he said.

The new changes fall roughly two weeks after the UK government confirmed that it will by early next year welcome Emirati visitors to the UK without a pre- entry visa. Visiting Emirati tourists will be required to complete an electronic visa waiver online 48 hours before travel in a move to streamline increasing travel between the two long- linked countries.