Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Muslim expatriates in the UAE can sponsor two wives at the same time, according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). The ICP emphasized, however, that this is only “in special cases and according to certain conditions”. Expats can apply for a residence visa for their wife and children, after submitting a marriage contract certified in Arabic or translated into Arabic by a sworn and certified translator. A resident father can sponsor his unmarried daughters, regardless of their age, and their sons until the age of 25, or any age thereafter if they are still studying. The expat parent of a newborn can get a residence permit for the baby, and must do so within 120 days of the birth to avoid fines. A resident can sponsor the children of his wife from her previous husband after fulfilling the conditions, which include a statement of consent from the father and depositing a guarantee amount by the sponsor. The residence period in this case is only one year and can be yearly renewed. The ICP said there are eight documents required to submit a request to sponsor the wife and children: Residence visa application, whether online or through licenced typing offices, a copy of the passport of the sponsor and the sponsored persons, photographs with a white background for the wife and children, the original certificate of medical fitness for the wife and children (above 18), a copy of the husband’s employment contract or the company’s contract if he is an employer, a valid work permit for the sponsor, a certificate of the husband’s salary, and an attested lease contract. The ICP affirmed that family residence permits are linked to the residence permit of the sponsor, or the head of the family or guarantor. In case the sponsor's residency visa is cancelled, the family members’ residency permit is also cancelled. They are given a grace period of six months until they get a new residency or leave the country or face fines. ICA/Expat Media
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