UAE Grants One-Year Residence Extension for Foreign Women

The UAE Government has announced a new policy through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), allowing two categories of foreign women to extend their residence for one year after losing their residency status due to divorce or the death of a spouse. This provision applies to women who were living in the UAE on their husband's visa at the time of the triggering event.

The extension begins from the date of the husband's death or the finalization of the divorce. Women can renew this extension once without needing to find a new sponsor, which alleviates significant legal and financial uncertainties.

Children listed under their father's visa at the time of the event are also eligible for the same extension, provided their visas were valid. This policy aims to give affected women and their children time to secure new visa categories, find employment, or plan their return home, thus ensuring they do not face immediate deportation or loss of legal status.