Visas are a hot topic in Dubai given the huge number of expats. But the system can be a little challenging, and it’s always important to know your status and – equally – know when you need to take action.
If you’re staying in Dubai for any length of time it’s inevitable that you’ll need to use the visa system, so it’s important to understand the basics both for yourself as an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or an employee of a company – as well as anyone you might be sponsoring, including family or domestic staff.
Our recommendation, when it comes to anything visa-related, is to work with a specialist. You can then put your mind at rest knowing that you’re in the hands of an expert who can guide you through the whole process.
Visa Renewal Dubai: A Guide
So let’s get into the key questions around visa renewal, so you know where you stand and what actions, if any, you need to take.
How much does it cost to renew my Dubai visa?
There are a number of different areas which combine together to create the total cost of a visa renewal.
For employment visas, these costs will include:
- Government fees: AED 1,263.53
- Labour fee: AED 300 – AED 5,000 (depends on the company category)
- PRO fee for visa: AED 1,575
- Government for medical & Emirates ID: AED 1,130
- PRO fee for medical & Emirates ID: AED 1,050
For those in the limited skills category, there is an insurance fee of between AED 420 and AED 5,120.
When it comes to visas for partners or investors, the costs will likely include:
- Medical typing fees: AED 857.50
- Emirates ID typing fees: AED 371.50
- Residence visa typing fees: AED 925.65
- PRO fee: AED 2625
My visa expired during the lockdown; do I have to pay any fines?
The answer to this is no. In the case of your tourist or residence visa expiring during lockdown, it is extended automatically until the end of the year. No further action needed.
Are there any discounts on visa renewal?
Unfortunately there are not. The standard visa renewal costs and procedures still apply.
How many days will it take to renew my Dubai visa?
Approximately five business days as long as your application is complete and free from errors when submitted.
What documents do I need to renew my Dubai visa?
You would require the following documents (for a residence employment visa or a partner / investor visa:
- Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) visa renewal form
- Passport (six-months validity, with at least two blank pages free)
- 8 passport-size photos
- Emirates ID
- Certificate of health insurance from a health insurance agency or health insurance card (copy of both front and back)
The following requirements are just for employment visas:
- WPS Form: payment of workers’ wages (WPS) declaration
- Attested degree certificate (if applying for skilled positions level 1-3)
How to cancel a Dubai residence visa / How to cancel Dubai employment visa
If you need to cancel your visa, the process is as follows: submit your original passport, original Emirates ID, and a signed DED visa cancellation request form to a registered agent.
The cost of cancellation is around AED 1,050 and takes approximately five working days to process.
How to cancel a dependant visa in Dubai / How to cancel a Dubai family visa
If you need to cancel your dependant or family visa, you must supply the original passports of the dependant and the sponsor.
The cost of cancellation is AED 950 and takes approximately two to three working days.
How to cancel a housemaid visa in Dubai / How to cancel a nanny visa in Dubai
Visas for dependants (maids, nannies or other domestic staff) can be cancelled as per the process outlined above.
How to cancel my wife’s visa in Dubai
Cancelling a family member’s visa means you must provide to your agent your original passport, and your family member’s original passport.
How to cancel Dubai residence visa from India / How to cancel Dubai visa from Pakistan
If you are cancelling a visa from anywhere outside the UAE, the process is the same as we have already outlined. However, the cost of cancellation in this case is higher, at AED 2,100.
How to cancel a Dubai visa application
If you need to cancel your visa application, it’s important you contact your agent. Generally, you will have to pay a cancellation fee.
How to cancel a Dubai visa online
You cannot cancel a visa online. Either contact the Amer Center or your service agent.
How to cancel a Dubai visa without a passport
In general, you should always provide your passport if you’re cancelling your visa. But it is possible to process a cancellation without a passport if you are in the UAE, or if you have been outside the UAE for over six months.
How to cancel a Dubai visit visa
If you want to cancel a visit visa, you must contact your travel agent or the company you used to make your application.
How to cancel a Dubai visit visa online
As per the above, requests to cancel a visit visa would go through your travel company.
Are you ready to renew your visa?
If you’re thinking about renewing or cancelling a visa, it’s important you take action now. If you’re concerned about anything, it’s worth consulting a specialist such as Creative Zone who can walk you through the entire process.
When you’re looking for up to date information on UAE visas, you can be sure that what you’re getting from Creative Zone is the latest info from people who deal with this every day.
In addition to helping you with visas, Creative Zone can help you with setting up your business.
While the setup process can be somewhat stressful, you can fast-track it by working with a company formation specialist. It’s the quickest way to get set up in the UAE, letting us take care of all the details and ensuring your application is free from errors.
We can also help you with opening a corporate bank account, as well as offer important advice on the type of financial institution that would best suit your requirements.
Here at Creative Zone, we offer you the best solutions to start your company in the UAE. You get fast, reliable and unbiased advice on your unique business setup requirements. We can help you choose the right kind of license for your chosen business activity/activities and take you through the entire process from start to finish.
You can let us deal with the hassle of registering a company while you focus on your business. And working with us means you get the best budget friendly and cost-effective solution to help make your business dream a reality.
Over 10 years, Creative Zone has helped over 36,000 entrepreneurs set up their businesses. Whether it be a mainland business setup, offshore company setup, free zone company setup or issuing of trade licenses and any related activity for registering a company, Creative Zone is your one-stop-shop.
