Female employees restricted from sponsoring children except in limited circumstances

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The UAE has put new restrictions on female applicants seeking to sponsor their children for residence visas.

What does the change mean? Only women who are widowed or divorced, or whose husband’s monthly salary is less than 4,000 dirhams are eligible to sponsor their children’s residence visas. This rule does not apply to female employees who already sponsor their husband’s residence visa.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate.
• Visas/permits affected: Residence visas for dependent children.
• Business impact: The restriction will affect many female expatriate employees, including those working in free zones, as dependent children’s visas are adjudicated by mainland immigration authorities.

Analysis & Comments: The policy is currently in place in Dubai and is likely to be applied in the other emirates. Employers whose expatriate employees are affected by the new policy should work with their immigration advisor to find alternatives.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.