UAE visa: Divorced women have a one-year grace period

Whenever a woman becomes divorced or widowed, the UAE extends her residency visa for another year.

According to the official UAE government portal, the extension is only renewable once and does not call for a substitute sponsor. It begins on the date of her husband's death or divorce.

If the woman's children were traveling on their father's visa at the time of his passing or their separation from their parents, the extension also applies to them.

The widowed or divorced women and their children must have had their residency visas sponsored by the deceased or former husband at the time of death or divorce, according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) website, among other requirements and restrictions.

The mother's and her children's residency visas must both be valid at the time of death or divorce, and the children's residency period cannot be longer than the mother's, according to a statement made by Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Acting Director-General for Foreigners Affairs and Ports at ICP in 2018.

Women may request an extension in accordance with the Decree by filling out the appropriate form and attaching documentation of their divorce or, in the case of a widow, their demise.

In addition, women are required to provide documentation about the availability of a home, their capacity to support themselves, and proof of a mother's and her children's over-18-year-olds health.

In the UAE, when applicable, they must also submit their ID and health insurance cards.

Brigadier Al Rashidi has stated that the ICP will charge each beneficiary the standard fees assessed for the services rendered by the ICP, which include cancellation fees for the prior resident permits of the widow, divorcee, and children as well as one-year residency fees of AED100.

According to the statement, which cited Brigadier Al Rashidi, "in lieu of departure" costs will not be collected in this case because it relates to the renewal of a residency visa in compliance with the Cabinet Order.