Disclaimer
Last updated: March 2026
Important Notice
Wathim is an independent information service and is not affiliated with any government entity. We are not a ministry, regulatory authority, or official representative of ICP, GDRFA, MOHRE, Absher, Muqeem, Qiwa, Metrash, LMRA, ROP Oman, MOI Kuwait, or any other public body referenced on this site.
1. Independent Information Website
Wathim is an independent publisher of plain-English guides to government services across the six GCC countries. We document what real applicants do, what each portal asks for, and what the published fees are, so expats can plan visa, residency, ID, driving licence, attestation, and related paperwork with less guesswork.
We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government authority. Any references to ministries, portals, or agencies on our website are for identification and informational purposes only. We do not file applications on your behalf and we do not collect government fees.
2. No Guarantee of Outcomes
We cannot guarantee any government decision, approval, or processing time.
The decision to issue, renew, transfer, or refuse any visa, ID, licence, or permit rests solely with the relevant government authority. Eligibility rules, fees, document lists, and processing timelines change at the discretion of those authorities, sometimes without prior notice.
Our guides aim to help you arrive prepared. They do not replace the official portal, the typing centre, or the counter officer who actually processes your file.
3. Accuracy of Information
We work to keep fees, steps, and document lists accurate, but we cannot guarantee that every page reflects the latest rule on the day you read it. GCC government services are updated frequently and changes can take effect overnight.
Information on this site is general guidance, not legal advice. For the current authoritative position, always check the official portal or contact the relevant authority directly before paying any fee or submitting any document.
Areas that are especially prone to change include:
- Eligibility rules for visas, residency, and family sponsorship
- Published fee schedules and service charges
- Required documents and attestation steps
- Processing timelines and validity periods
- Portal interfaces, account flows, and typing centre requirements
4. Not Legal Advice
Wathim does not provide legal advice. Nothing on this site creates a lawyer client or advisor client relationship. Our content is informational and is written for a general expat audience.
For matters involving employment disputes, immigration appeals, sponsorship issues, or any decision with significant legal consequences, consult a qualified lawyer licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
5. Third-Party Links and References
Our guides link to government portals, ministry websites, and other third-party resources for the reader's convenience. We do not control these external sites and are not responsible for their content, accuracy, availability, or data practices.
Always confirm the URL of a government portal before entering personal information or making any payment. Phishing sites that imitate official portals are a known risk in the region.
6. Reader Experiences
Any reader experiences, examples, or scenarios shared on the site illustrate individual situations and are not a guarantee that you will experience the same outcome. Every file is different and depends on your nationality, profession, sponsor, emirate or region, and the rules in force on the date you apply.
7. Fees Listed on the Site
Fee figures published on Wathim are the published government and service amounts at the time of writing. Real charges may include additional VAT, typing centre fees, courier costs, attestation fees, or bank charges that vary by provider. Always confirm the final amount on the official portal or at the counter before paying.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Wathim and its contributors shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from:
- Your use of or reliance on information published on this site
- Application refusals, delays, fines, or overstay charges issued by any authority
- Changes in government rules, fees, or portal procedures
- Errors, omissions, or out-of-date entries in our guides
- Actions or decisions of third parties including portals, typing centres, and couriers
- Loss of income, opportunity, or travel costs related to any application outcome
9. Governing Law
This Disclaimer is governed by the laws of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, without regard to conflict of law principles.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Disclaimer, please contact us:
Have a Question About a Government Service?
Wathim is an independent information service and is not affiliated with any government entity. If a guide is unclear or out of date, tell us and we will look into it.