Family-friendly visa rules take effect
abu dhabi — The sweeping reforms to the UAE visa system took effect on Sunday, supporting families across various segments, including divorcees, widows, students, as well as visit visa holders.
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) confirmed to Khaleej Times that the new reforms to the UAE visa system have been implemented across the country starting from Sunday.
“We have implemented three of a series of changes to visa legislation, which have been adopted by the UAE Cabinet starting from today,” Abdul Azeez Al Maamari, an official from the FAIC, told Khaleej
Times on Sunday. “All immigration offices across the UAE must have upgraded their systems by now and should be making the visa extensions, as per the law, for visitors and residents.”
Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, acting director-general of foreigners affairs and ports at the FAIC, said the new visa policies aimed to support the UAE’s society as a whole. “The government is keen on making things easier for those seeking security, safety, and a decent life.”
Under the new scheme, divorcees and widows, as well as their children, will be granted a one-year residency visa extension, which starts from the date of the divorce or the death of the spouse.
Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, acting director-general of foreigners affairs and ports at the FAIC, said the divorcee or the widow would no longer require a sponsor to apply for the visa.
“The aim is to give women the opportunity to adjust to their social and economic status after the loss of the head of the family,” he said.
Moreover, the new visa system will also help students that are dependent on their parents after Grade 12, as well as those who are above 18 and have completed their university studies. Students will be granted a one-year residency extension, which they can renew for another year.
“The dependent students will be granted residence visa for one year, which can be renewed for an additional year, starting from the date of university graduation or after obtaining the high school certificate,” Al Rashidi said.
Authorities said students applying for the visa must submit their attested academic certificates for high school or university, as well as other supporting documents that verify their studies in the UAE or overseas.
A deposit of Dh5,000 must be provided by parents for obtaining residence visa of their child, above 18 years of age. The deposit will be refunded once the child’s visa status changes. There is also a Dh100 visa fee for each year of visa extension.
The new implementation of the new visa system also allows visit visa holders to apply for a 30-day extension, twice, without leaving the UAE. The fee for each extension is Dh600.
All immigration offices across the UAE must have upgraded their systems by now and should be making the visa extensions, as per the law, for visitors and residents.” Abdul Azeez Al Maamari, Federal
Authority for Identity and Citizenship
This step, once again, shows the UAE’s stand on human consideration and human matters. The country reinforced this as a requirement for society.” Ashish Mehta,
lawyer