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Dependent Visa by a Single Parent

rpalfafara

I am a single mom, unmarried seeking for advice regarding dependent visa. I have a 4-year old son that I intend to bring here in Bahrain once the Covid vaccine is publicly available. I've tried to look up in LMRA's website about the required documents but all of which were applicable if the head of the family (the main sponsor) is the father of the child. In my case, my son's birth certificate has UNKNOWN FATHER (father did not acknowledge the child after birth until to date) therefore as per our country's family code, I have the sole custody of my child. Is it possible that I, his mother and his only legal parent, will be the sponsor of the dependent visa? Can somebody shed a light on this?

Thank you in advance.

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XTang

It is possible but in your case, it won't be easy.   Keep reading, I will explain why a bit later.

Usually, for divorced single parents, you would need a divorce decree, birth certificate and court order establishing custody in your favor OR a notarized NOC from the other parent - all documents attested by the Bahrain Embassy in your home country (after attestation from your Foreign Ministry).  For widows, birth certificate, death certificate of the other parent and court custody order (again attested).

Now having said that, in your case, theoretically it should be much easier because all you need is a birth certificate, duly attested as above, for you to sponsor the child.  But your situation, in terms of the country norms, is a bit taboo (unknown father, child out of wedlock) so they might keep pushing back for more and more documentation.  To make it simple, in addition to the birth certificate, I would suggest to ALSO get a court order as described above which establishes custody in your favor.  Because they might push back and say, what if the father comes to claim the child at a later stage?  (your country law is not relevant here unless you can get an attested custody order).  I am just reproducing issues which I have seen in the past.   But with the birth certificate and court order for custody (both attested), you should not have a problem.

rpalfafara

That makes sense. In my home country, a court order can only be obtained if there's a court proceeding between 2 aggrieved parties. But I will seek other legal documentation, might be an attested AFFIDAVIT, to back up my claim for the sole custody of my child.

Thank you XTANG.

XTang

Good luck!

BR123

Hi! Were you able to get the dependent visa for your son?

toursguardian

Hi..waiting for this..did u get ur child already?is he there in bahrain now?

logicalindian

@toursguardian

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