Q: I am one of three suspects in a construction site accident case that led to the death of one person on April 8 last year in Abu Dhabi. I was in police custody for two days and then they released me but held my passport as a guarantee. My company arranged a lawyer and the case is still not closed. My lawyer told me that the judge has been awaiting an expert's report since February to issue the verdict but it has still not been submitted by the prosecution. In cases such as these, is there any maximum time frame for a case to be heard and completed? Is there a set time frame to appoint an expert and then have them submit their report to court? Also, do you think it could be possible for me to get my passport to travel home to get married, as it was put on hold due to this case more than a year ago?
A: As your problem is related to time in ending judicial procedures you may ask the court to give you a specific date for the legal expert to issue his report so it will not be any more prolonged. With regards to your passport, you would have to ask the court’s permission for its release as there is obviously an ongoing case. Sometimes there are legal solutions for this in court, such as replacing your passport with that of a friend or relative as a guarantee that allows you to take your passport. It is important to note that all of these legal solutions are only workable with the backing of a court decision.
Q:I am from Pakistan and have been working in the UAE since 2008. I wanted my wife to come and visit me on a one-month tourist visa but my application was rejected and I was told that she must be older than 24 to visit. I was surprised by the answer as she is my wife and I have the documents to prove it. Her passport even carries my name. Is this law? My wife is 20 years old and I meet all the other requirements for a visa to be granted.
A: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs has rules, requirements and procedures that regulate the way in which people can get a visitor’s or residence visa, and one of the requirements for a spouse visiting is age, so there is not much that can be done about this.
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