DUBAI: Welcoming UAE’s decision to grant widows and divorcees the right to extend their residency visas by a year, legal experts said on Tuesday that it was a step in the right direction as it empowers women, dealing with unfortunate circumstances, to plan their lives in a more informed manner.
On October 23, the UAE introduced a new law whereby widows and divorced women can apply for a one-year extension for their residency permits, from the date of the divorce or following the death of a spouse. “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,” the official statement detailing the decree had said at the same.
The resolution will be implemented in the fourth quarter of this year.
According to the statement, the decision takes into consideration the humanitarian conditions of the widows and divorcees, while facilitating their stay in the country. “It also aims to maintain family stability and social cohesion, and affirms the UAE’s position as a welcoming country to all nationalities in line with its history and values of extending a helping hand,” it said.
Luke Tapp, Partner- Pinsent Masons LLP, said that the provision will ensure that affected individuals have ample time to take future steps in a more informed manner, specifically in terms of their soci0-economic status. “It certainly provides all expat families residing within the UAE with a greater degree of comfort and security in respect of their short to medium term futures, which of course makes the UAE a more attractive place to live,” he said.
Two years ago, things were different for K.A. (name held on request). She had to leave the UAE with several pending issues after the sudden death of her husband.
“I had no idea how to deal with so many things at one time. I lost my husband who was my sponsor and my children sponsor. All the bank accounts, tenancy agreement, school admission, everything was on his name. He didn’t prepare any will either. There was no one to guide us and help us and eventually I had to leave my home and came back to Pakistan,” she says.
K.A. is one among several case studies handled by advocate Yamini Rajesh, who said that things were difficult for an expatriate woman following the sudden death of her spouse, especially if he was the sole sponsor of the family. “Currently, women sponsored by their husbands have to leave the country in the event of a divorce. In cases of a husband’s death, women can stay till the remainder of their residency visa validity,” Rajesh said.
“Most expat women, regardless of whether they are working or not, are not aware of the laws and regulations in the UAE especially related to finance and property. So when a husband dies they panic and become helpless and often take wrong decisions,” she added.
Rajesh said that the absence often adds to the legal woes faced by most. “It’s a very difficult situation to find oneself in,” she said, adding that the new law would also give women suffering from domestic abuse a gateway to seek legal recourse.
“This new law makes ladies who tolerate abuse from husbands, stronger to face divorce and can live in this country as equal and earn their living. Gender equality is very much stable and strong in the UAE,” she said.