Gavtek

Been in AD almost a month, I have my residence visa, my family are still on tourist visas.

Should get Emirates ID today after loads of "technical issues" which means I can get my chequebook and finally be able to settle my tenancy agreement and register it with Tawtheeq.

So all going well, I should soon be in a position to move into our apartment and apply for family visa for my family.

However, every guide I read online says I must also have the latest utility bill in addition to Tawtheeq-attested tenancy contract.

Considering the Tawtheeq process involves simultaneously registering you with ADDC for electricity connection, also providing a utility bill seems a bit redundant, plus it would mean having to wait at least another month before I can apply for family visa, having to pay for 3 x flights to do a visa run and my wife/child spending another month in the country without local medical insurance.

Anyone have any recent experiences with this and whether the utility bill in addition to all the other documentation (marriage/birth certs are all ready attested and translated where necessary) is absolutely mandatory?

IKnowNothing

You've made a fatal flaw.... You're thinking there's a justifiable reason behind a decision, there isn't, pretty pointless trying to argue it too.

archie159

Presumably you get some letter of confirmation from ADDC that you are now registered? Could you not use that in lieu of the utility bill?
Last time I did anything like this, I found that the people in the Dept of Immigration were reasonably helpful at answering questions and agreeing to accept alternatives (I know I had by mistake brought a copy of something which was supposed to be an original, but they were OK with it). I'd pop in there if you can (or better still, send someone to do it for you) and ask. Or just go to one of the typing offices next door - they usually know exactly what is needed.

Gavtek

I haven't got that far yet, still waiting for Emirates ID before I can get my chequebook and I need my chequebook to pay my rent and I need to pay my rent to get the rental contract that I need to register and I need to register the rental contract before I get anywhere near ADDC. However, I hear that they give you a bill for the security deposit and I may be able to use that.

So just another few wild goose chases with a drizzle of "system is down come back tomorrow/go away I'm playing Candy Crush" to endure first.

Bluelionesse

If you are British/european there is no
need for flights.
Do a border run at Al Ain. Takes an afternoon and will cost you 85aed a head.

uspurs

Once you have the ADDC account open, you can request a letter from them that Immigration will accept. I got such a letter last month and worked fine for renewing the visa for 'er indoors.