ICA initiates to issue residency visas for the graduates of universities and secondary schools sponsored by their parents

ICA announced that it has initiated, starting from the middle of this month, to issue a one-year residency visa to be renewed for one another year after its expiration for the parent-sponsored dependents after graduation from university or secondary schools or on completing 18 years.

ICA stated that residency visas for this category of the community members are to be issued for those sponsored by their parents from the graduation date from the university, obtaining a general secondary school certificate or reaching the legal age. This is apart from the integrated system of residency and entry visas in the State-approved by the cabinet in the last year’s summer.

H.E Saeed Rakan Al Rashdi, Director General of Foreign Affairs and Ports at ICA said that all families residing in the State with children classified in this category can easily benefit from this Decree, by submitting their applications accompanied by the supporting documents, including the duly attested general secondary school certificate or the duly attested graduation certificate or a similar document from the university where they studied, whether inside or outside the state. This applies only to those who completed their secondary or university studies.

Al-Rashdi emphasized ICA’s keenness on informing all families residing in the State of this service and how to benefit from it through the various ways and means available especially at the end of the academic year in the State, as many students graduate from their universities whether inside or outside the State and many others complete the secondary stage. This in turn requires facilitating

procedures for families and enabling them to find suitable options for their children whether in the field of study or work.

He further added that ICA would spare no effort to inform its customers of all its services and initiatives and the means to obtain them through the visual, readable and audiovisual media, or through electronic media and modern applications, as well as ICA’s communication channels, including the call center on (80080), its website (www.icp.gov.ae) and its pages on the social networking sites.

Major General Al Rashdi called the parents residing in the State to take advantage of these unprecedented facilities in this field and to initiate submitting applications for renewal of residency or sponsorship of their children by visiting the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and its annexed centers, which provide their services during the official working days (Sunday to Thursday) and from 8 am to 8 pm.

He explained that parents do not need anymore to apply for sponsoring their children under the humanitarian cases, which previously required a security deposit of AED 5000. It has become now possible for parents to apply under the normal procedures for issuing or renewing a residency visa for their children with a fee of 100 dirhams for a one-year residency visa and the same for the renewal for another year.

Major General Al Rashdi emphasized ICA’s interest in achieving the wise leadership’s vision, which is making happy the UAE community and everyone who lives on its land whether nationals, residents, or visitors. ICA seeks also to make UAE the land of family stability and social welfare and to make things easier for students and their families. This is derived from ICA’s humanitarian principles and commitment to enhance social cohesion. It’s further interested in providing graduates with the opportunity to study their practical future options and contributing to the process of renaissance and progress experienced by the State in the various fields.

He pointed out that the activation of this service contributes to strengthening the UAE approach and orientation towards openness and attracting the talents on the one hand and to enhance the reputation

of the state and its distinguished record of the humanitarian field, on the other hand.