Expatriate residents who want to bring their families into the UAE should now earn a minimum monthly salary of Dh10,000, a senior official was quoted a saying.

They must also provide their family with independent accommodation, a Gulf News report said quoting Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali, director general of the Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD).

The decision was made following a study by the Ministry of Interior on the negative effects of allowing residents to bring their families without sufficient income and a suitable place to stay.

Al Menhali said it is best for the minimum wage to be raised to cope with the cost of living, rents, school fees and health care.

A resident should be able to support his family and afford their living costs to enable them to live a decent life, in line with labour and residency laws, he said.

Previously the minimum salary requirement was Dh3,000, because this was acceptable under previous conditions, he said. The amount was later raised to Dh4,000 and then Dh6,000 after rapid development and economic growth.

The new decision will come into effect after amending by-laws of the residency law, Al Menhali said.