Visa updates announced by the UAE strengthen the rights of female residents and grant them the freedom to continue living and working in the country after a divorce or the death of their husband.
The updates, unveiled by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) on Monday, were praised for alleviating the stress and tension felt by women in these situations by eliminating doubt over their residency status.
The amendments allow a widow or divorced woman to secure her residency within six months of her divorce or the death of her husband, provided she was sponsored by her spouse and remains in the country. Significantly, it also allows widows and divorced women to renew their residency visas without a sponsor.
“This is a milestone for both widows and divorced women because a visa is one of the most important requirements in this part of the world,” lawyer Bindu Chettur, president of the Indian Business and Professional Council, told The National.
“I handle family dispute cases and the first threat of the husband is to cancel their wife’s visa. There are some matrimonial disputes where a woman is alone after 40 years of family life. This is the best protection for a housewife because she does not have to live with the fear that she will be on the street or must immediately leave the country. With this new rule, it is the woman’s right to continue to live in the UAE.”
Peace of mind
Previously, Ms Chettur said, in divorce cases, lawyers would request the court to allow the woman to renew her visa, but this was at the discretion of the judge.
The changes also benefit families, she added, because women would no longer worry about the disruption hindering her children’s education.
“This gives women the freedom to develop their lives. Divorced women and widows will be encouraged to look for a job or start a business. This is so much more positive than earlier when a change in status made some illegal, needing to pay huge fines,” Ms Chettur said.
“Now a woman has time to decide what she wants to do. She will have peace of mind that her children can complete their education and she can decide to continue her life here. It gives them the chance to thrive in the UAE.”
No longer dependent
Lawyers said the decision lifted pressure on women.
“We have seen cases where women who are totally dependent on their husband, then have to quickly complete bank formalities, manage a property and at the same time, they are under pressure of leaving the country,” said Raka Roy, partner at Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants.
“Then they are forced to request friends and relatives to sponsor them. This will empower women because she could continue to run her husband’s business or start one of her own. This is not only support on the humanitarian level, it also works on a commercial level.”
The ICP also announced new visa categories for professionals in the artificial intelligence, entertainment, events, cruise ship and leisure boat sectors.
AI specialists will have access to single and multiple entry visas, subject to sponsorship from a host or technology company. The entertainment and events visa is available to those visiting the UAE temporarily for leisure or to attend festivals, conferences, cultural, economic and educational activities.
“The visas for AI experts is part of the government looking to promote it as an industry,” Ms Roy said.
“This works as a starting point – the short term visas are for someone to come speak at a seminar, contribute to a short-term project. It helps them come to the country, look at the opportunities and then they may decide to stay on.”
UAE authorities said the updated rules were based on the results of studies of local and global residency trends, with a focus on improving quality of life and supporting the tech and transport sectors to boost the country’s competitiveness.
“It’s a win-win, because the country will attract quality talent,” Ms Roy said. “This is about the government working constructively to facilitate the entry of people who will contribute to the country.”
RACE CARD
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 (PA) Listed Dh230,000 1,600m
6.30pm: HH The President’s Cup (PA) Group 1 Dh2.5million 2,200m
7pm: HH The President’s Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,200m.
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Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
SCORES
Yorkshire Vikings 144-1 in 12.5 overs
(Tom Kohler 72 not out, Harry Broook 42 not out)
bt Hobart Hurricanes 140-7 in 20 overs
(Caleb Jewell 38, Sean Willis 35, Karl Carver 2-29, Josh Shaw 2-39)
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North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
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How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
Selected fixtures
All times UAE
Wednesday
Poland v Portugal 10.45pm
Russia v Sweden 10.45pm
Friday
Belgium v Switzerland 10.45pm
Croatia v England 10.45pm
Saturday
Netherlands v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Denmark 10.45pm
Sunday
Poland v Italy 10.45pm
Monday
Spain v England 10.45pm
Tuesday
France v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Wales 10.45pm
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Brief scores:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
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Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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Oct 8: Malaysia (h)
Oct 13: Indonesia (a)
Nov 12: Thailand (h)
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Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
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Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
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Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
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Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
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Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
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Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
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Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
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- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
