UAE: New visa rules for widows, divorced women, visitors, tourist and students

What has changed

On October 21, 2018, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) approved new rules to benefit widows, divorced women, visitors, tourists, and students.

These new rules are recapped below.

Who is affected

All widows, divorced women, visitors, tourists, and students wishing to stay in the UAE.

What to expect

Starting from the date of a spouse’s death or divorce, widows and divorced women can now apply for a one (1) year residency visa extension at the GDRFA center in Dubai Festival City, without the need for a male sponsor.

If the widow or divorced woman does not have a male sponsor in the country, the visa renewal applications to sponsor themselves and their children can take up to forty-eight (48) hours to be processed.

Visitors and tourists can apply for a new thirty (30) day visa prior to the expiry of their most recent visa without having to leave the country. The extension can be renewed up to two (2) times.

Students sponsored by parents after completing university or high school, or turning eighteen (18) years of age, can apply for a one (1) year residency visa that can be renewed for an additional year.

What you need to do

Contact Visa Lounge Global Immigration for further details on how these updates may impact you or your client.

With the relevant supporting documents, Visa Lounge can assist with the permit application to facilitate the immigration requirement.