In the UAE, is it possible for children to remain in school to finish the academic year if their parents' visas are revoked?
In the event of job loss leading to the cancellation of a residency visa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the visas of those under sponsorship, typically children, are also affected. However, there are several options available to allow the children to stay and complete the school year.
Transfer of Sponsorship to the Other Parent
If the other parent holds a valid UAE employment visa, earns a minimum salary (typically AED 4,000–6,000, depending on the emirate), and fulfills the necessary documentation requirements, they may sponsor the children independently. This keeps the children’s visas valid as long as the sponsoring parent’s visa remains active.
Visa Hold Service
The sponsor can request a visa hold for the children’s visas before cancellation, pausing the visa cancellation for up to 60 days while they seek a new job and visa. To avail of this service, a hold request must be submitted to GDRFA or ICP, the children’s visas must have at least 3 months validity remaining at the time of the request, and a new job offer letter is required.
Student Visa Option
While rare, some licensed schools may sponsor a child on a student visa to complete their studies. This depends on school cooperation and immigration authority approval and is not guaranteed or common for school-aged children.
It is crucial to act promptly and consult the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) for the latest procedures and requirements.
In all cases, it is important to note that the validity of a family member’s visa is directly tied to the sponsor’s visa. If the sponsor’s visa is cancelled, the family member’s visa will also expire, even if it was issued at a later date.
Individuals seeking options to ensure their children can stay in the UAE and complete the school year, which runs until March, are advised to contact GDRFA - Dubai for further advice on the situation. The specific regulations regarding family members' visas are stated in Article 54 (3) of Cabinet Resolution No. (65) of 2022 Issuing the Executive Regulations of Federal Law by Decree No. (29) of 2021 Concerning the Entry and Residence of Foreigners.
If a residency visa is cancelled, the individual can continue to stay in the UAE until the grace period mentioned in the visa cancellation document issued by the GDRFA Dubai or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security. If they prefer not to cancel the visas, they can inform the GDRFA of their intention to hold them until they obtain a new employment visa.
However, it is important to remember that if a visa or residency permit is cancelled or expires and is not renewed, the individual must leave the country within the grace period or face administrative fines for each day of overstay. The value of these fines is determined by a decision of the Council of Ministers.
[1] General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) - Dubai [2] Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security [3] Cabinet Resolution No. (65) of 2022 Issuing the Executive Regulations of Federal Law by Decree No. (29) of 2021 Concerning the Entry and Residence of Foreigners [4] Federal Decree-Law No. (29) of 2021 regarding the Entry and Residence of Foreigners
- In the UAE, a parent with a valid employment visa may opt to sponsor their children independently if they meet certain criteria, which ensures the children's visas remain valid as long as the sponsoring parent's visa remains active, thereby permitting the children to stay and complete their schooling.
- For those facing job loss and the subsequent cancellation of their residency visas, a visa hold service allows for a 60-day pause in the cancellation process, buying time to secure a new employment visa and thereby keeping the visas of the sponsor's children active during this period.
- In exceptional circumstances, certain licensed schools in the UAE may sponsor a child on a student visa to complete their education. This option relies on school cooperation and immigration authority approval, and is not a common or guaranteed solution for school-aged children.
