Abu Dhabi: Widows and divorcees, who had reached the Emirates on dependency or family visa can now apply for an extension up to one year. The decision grants widows and divorced women, one year of residence without a sponsor.
Meanwhile, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and Customs and Ports Authority informed that the extension would be granted from the date of demise of the husband or divorce. However, the family visa should have validity at the time of the husband’s demise or the divorce.
The latest resolution grants solace to the women who face unprecedented incidents during their stay here on dependency visas. There is also a guideline that the children’s visa validity shouldn’t go beyond the expiration of their mother’s visa. The one-year visa would be allowed by making the residence period the same for both mother and children.
Documents required
The divorce certificate or husband’s death certificate should be submitted along with the application for visa extension. Besides, the authorities should be convinced that the family has a place to stay in the Emirate. The authority noted that the widows or divorcees should also present a medical certificate along with the application. The medical certificate of children who are above eighteen years old too should be submitted.
Moreover, health insurance and UAE id proofs based on the regional guidelines of each Emirate are required. The minimum duration up to which the visa would be renewed is one year. However, it is possible to extend up to two, three or five years.
Meanwhile, golden visa holders could stay here for up to ten years.
No relaxation if the sponsor is out of country
The dependency visa would be cancelled if the sponsor resides outside the UAE for more than six months. Widows and divorces would not be able to avail of the relaxations in the visa guidelines if the sponsor has been out of the country for at least six months prior to the date of the husband’s demise or divorce. But, this is not applicable to holders of the golden visa.
