Visa changes promise to help those in legal limbo

Widows, divorcees, children and students will benefit from changes to residency visa laws from this Sunday.

The range of measures were initially announced in June and represent a significant relaxation of the existing rules.

Under the new ruling, widows and divorcees will no longer find themselves trapped in legal limbo in the event of the death of, or separation from, their husbands.

Students who finished university or high school, or who are aged 18 or above, will also be given UAE residency for a year, renewable for a further 12 months.

Yesterday, Brig Saeed Al Rashidi, acting director general of the Foreigners Affairs and Ports Department of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), said the new visa rules would be subject to conditions.

In respect of widows, divorcees and children, he said they must have had their “residency visas sponsored by the deceased or former husband at the time of death or divorce”.

And in reference to students, the ICA said a charge of Dh100 would be made for each year Emirates residency was requested, and that a “high school or graduation certificate” would have to be provided to complete the application.

“The student will be given a residency visa for one year, which is renewable for an additional year, starting from the date of their graduation, or the high school certificate or on reaching 18 years of age,” the ICA said. The move will give students the opportunity to find jobs in the Emirates.

The ICA also relaxed the rules for those visiting the country. New entry permits would be issued when existing permits expire without the need for people to leave the country.

In total, two 30-day extensions could be granted to visitors “regardless of the main duration of the original visa”, the ICA said.

A fee of Dh600 would apply to each extension, with the charge being waived for residents of GCC countries.

“This decision does not include entry permits for those residing in GCC countries and the companions of the citizens of GCC countries,” the ICA statement read.

The authorities said those in breach of the law or who delayed their reply “under the new rules will be granted a grace period of 10 days from the expiry of their entry permit or the visa, after which they will be penalised Dh100 per day”.

On the changes for divorcees and widows, Brig Al Rashidi said women would have to prove to officials that they had a level of financial independence.

Previously, divorced and widowed women who did not have an employment visa would have to leave the country soon after their divorce or the death of their husband.