Residency Law Updated to Allow Working Women to Sponsor Their Children

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP-UAE) has introduced new amendments to UAE residency visa laws, allowing working mothers to sponsor their children’s residency when the family head is in violation of residency laws.

Under these new regulations, which are effective immediately, if the family head is found to be a residency violator, the mother - provided she is employed and holds a valid residency permit - can transfer the sponsorship of her children’s residency to herself. This change is especially advantageous for families where the mother is the primary income earner, ensuring that children can retain their legal residency status in the UAE.

The ICP-UAE also clarified that family heads intending to leave the country with their families must apply for exit permits, enabling them to depart without fines during the ongoing grace period for regularizing their residency status, which ends on October 31st, 2024. After this date, the Authority will enforce stricter measures, including fines and possible deportation for non-compliance.