The new visa is designed to maintain stability for families…

In the latest in a string of changes to the UAE visa system, it’s been announced that divorced or widowed foreign women on a dependent visa will soon be eligible to stay in the country for one year.

The UAE’s Council of Ministers approved the decision this week, which is set to come into affect in the fourth quarter of this year, according to Gulf Business.

The one-year visa will be valid from the date of the divorce or death of the husband, and will also apply to the woman’s children. Previously, women who were divorced or widowed had to leave the UAE if they could not secure a work visa.

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According to the same report, the changes have been decided in a bid to maintain the stability of families in the country. It follows on from an initiative announced yesterday, which grants a one-year visa to citizens of countries affected by war or natural disasters.

It’s the most recent part in a wider announcement on visa changes, which will also see a new temporary six-month visa implemented for job seekers, a free 48-hour visa granted to transit passengers and more lenient laws introduced for visa overstays.

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