Immigration authorities show residency system can be smart and compassionate

Resident visas are designed to ensure everyone has a job, no criminal background and have their health care paid for by their employer.

But the UAE’s visa mechanism, although strict, is not without compassion, including when it comes to dealing with families in exceptional situations.

Brig Ali Al Zaabi, legal counsel at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, said in rare cases “a person can be sponsored by their friend until they adjust their situation”.

He was speaking as the department set up a smart system to ease visa interactions.

He gave the example of a woman whose husband died and left her and her children in legal limbo.

“The residency visas of the Arab woman and her two children should have been cancelled in this case,” he said.

“The father was the sole breadwinner and the children were still in school. I and other members of the committee tried to find a solution.

“We asked the woman if she had any relatives or family friends who would be able to sponsor her and the children.

“A meeting was held with a family friend who agreed to sponsor the family.”

That allowed the family to continue to live in the UAE until she found a job that would sponsor her or she could make other arrangements.

“This case is not the only one. But such exemptions are given only in exceptional circumstances,” he said.

Among the other common problems dealt with, he said, was employers withholding an employee’s passport – which is against the law.

The department’s job is to find a solution, and if one cannot be found, the case could end in court.

“We gather both parties involved in the dispute and try to come up with a solution. If not, some issues, including passport retention by employers, is referred to public prosecutors,” said Brig Al Zaabi.

In the event of redundancy, some UAE residents refuse to hand over their passport for their visa to be cancelled.

“We reach out to them, explain the process and explain that there can be consequences for not handing over the passport for visa cancellation.”

He also urged any resident with a visa or immigration issue to ask for help early, before fines or legal troubles arise.