This is a humanitarian approach from the government to protect expatriate women in such situations.
Women expats in the UAE, who are under the sponsorship of their husbands while going through a divorce can now heave a sigh of relief, thanks to the one-year visa extension that is now granted to divorcees, widows, and their children.
Legal consultants in the UAE told Khaleej Times that husbands, as sponsors, will “no longer be able to misuse their power over visa control against their wives”.
“This is a humanitarian approach from the government to protect expatriate women in such situations. This move is in the best interest of women and children, and clearly aims to protect them,” said Dr Hassan El Heis, legal consultant at Al Rowaad Advocates.
El Heis pointed out that some husbands abuse their power as a sponsor to cancel the visa of their spouse, or to use it as a leverage to negotiate financial terms or even child custody during divorce.
He added that the one-year extension on visa gives divorcees independence and more advantage while negotiating with their husbands.
“Time has always been a crucial factor. This is important in the financial dispute or custody dispute. But now, this pressure has been removed and gives women relief.”
Disclaimer:
The above information might not apply if both parties are non-Muslim. Starting from the 1st of February 2023, UAE issued specific family law to be applied between non-Muslim expat residents in case none of them wanted to apply his/her home country’s law in the UAE. To know more information about this law, please feel free to click this link
