New UAE visa system from October 21

The sweeping reforms to the UAE visa system announced earlier this year will be implemented on October 21, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship announced on Wednesday.

The following Cabinet decisions will be implemented:

1. Extending the residency visa of the widow or divorcee women and their children for one year. "The decision grants widows and divorced women and their children a one-year residence without the need for a sponsor. It aims to give women the opportunity to adjust their social and economic status,"

2. Extending residency period for students sponsored by their parents beyond university years or secondary school. Male students in the UAE that are under their parent's visa and pass the age of 18 will be eligible for a visa extension under the new residency scheme

3. Granting visitors a new visit visa after the expiry date of their entry permit for visit or tourism without having to leave UAE.Previously, people on visit or tourist visas, especially job-seekers, had to leave the UAE after the expiration of their three-month visit visa or one-month tourist visa and then applied for new visas so as to return to the UAE.

"The new system now allows people on visit or tourist visas to extend their stay in the UAE for 30 days, for two times, after expiration of the entry permits," said Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, acting director-general of Foreigners Affairs and Ports at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.