Visa rules for UAE residence visa holders travelling abroad

If people who hold a UAE residence visa live outside the UAE for more than six months continuously, their residence visa will be automatically nullified. However, there are some exceptions to the rule. These are explained on this page.

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The general rule is that if expatriate residents, that is, people who hold a UAE residence visa, live outside UAE for more than six months continuously, their residency visa will be automatically nullified. If this happens, they will have to apply for a new entry permit to enter the UAE again.

 

However, there are some exceptions to the rule, which allow the resident expatriate to stay outside the UAE for more than six months and at the same time maintain the validity of his residence visa. They include:

• foreigner wife of an Emirati citizen who is on the sponsorship of her husband
• expatriate government employees sent abroad for treatment, provided they submit a medical report approved by Ministry of Health and Prevention or other medical authorities in the UAE.
• domestic helpers accompanying Emiratis for studies or medical treatment
• domestic helpers accompanying members of diplomatic and consular missions representing the UAE abroad and employees of such missions holding residence visas in the UAE
• expatriate residents working for the public sector sent by their employers to attend training or specialist courses, or those working in their employers' offices abroad and their families who are holders of valid residence visas in the UAE
• expatriate students studying in universities or institutes abroad (as per Dubai rules). Check with the GDRFA if this applies to your emirate of residence.

Updated on 25 Aug 2020

Sponsoring family residency visa by expatriates in United Arab Emirates

Both, employers and employees with a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor residence visas for their families. Unlike before, employees can sponsor their families regardless of their job titles if they earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Clearing medical fitness examination applies to all newcomers who have completed the age of 18.

Sponsorship requirements

Expatriate residents, both employers and employees, may sponsor their families in the UAE provided they have a valid residency permit.

 

Male residents who are employed in the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions which include minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.

 

Since March 2019, the type of profession is no longer a condition for an expatriate worker to be able to sponsor his family visas. The UAE government amended its previous provision under which only listed professions could apply for family sponsorship visa. Now, a foreign worker can bring over his family members to the UAE and sponsor their residence visas regardless of his profession as long as he maintains the ‘income criteria’ i. e. the minimum wage requirement, which is a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Check with the relevant GDRFA for more information.

 

Further, if the father of the family is residing in the UAE and meets the conditions for sponsoring his children, the mother is not allowed to sponsor them.

  

A resident sponsor has 60 days to apply for his dependents’ residence visa after they enter the UAE and modify their status from an entry permit holder to a residence visa holder.

 

Family members are issued visas for one, two or three years depending on the nature of the work and labour contract of the sponsoring member and his capacity as an employee or employer.

 

In general, expatriate employees are issued residency visa for one year or two years based on their labour contract, while expatriate employers are issued residency visa for three years.

 

Sponsored residents except adult males who are continuing their education and sponsored parents can enjoy the same visa duration as their sponsors. For the adult males and parents, the residence visa is granted on a yearly basis regardless of the sponsor’s visa duration.

 

The conditions are subject to change from time to time. Kindly check with Dubai GDRFA or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

 

Medical fitness requirement

In order for the UAE to grant or renew a residence visa for family members, males and females who have completed the age of 18 need to undergo and pass medical fitness tests at government approved health centres in the UAE.

 

All applicants of visa, whether for first time or for renewal, will be tested for two communicable diseases: HIV (by testing their blood) and pulmonary tuberculosis (by taking an x-ray of their chest). Those found to be HIV positive or having tuberculosis will be considered medically unfit and therefore will not be granted a residence visa. They will be deported immediately by the UAE's authorities.

 

Residents who are detected with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit. In this case, they are granted a one-year ‘Health Fitness Certificate for Residence’ subject to treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or equivalent government health authority. Hence, if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease it is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country first.

 

Locate government medical fitness centres:

Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah have several medical fitness centres. Check also medical examinations centres for residency offered by the Ministry of Health and Prevention - Preventive Medicine Department.

 

Useful links:

• Apply for medical examination for expatriate residence visa - Ministry of Health and Prevention
• Health conditions for a UAE residence visa - UAE Government portal
• Resolution No. 5 of 2016 amending provisions of the Cabinet Decree No. 7 of 2008
• Communicable Diseases Bulletin (PDF 2.65 MB)-Department of Health – Abu Dhabi

Sponsoring your wife and children

An expatriate resident may sponsor the residence visa for his wife and children if he fulfils the above mentioned sponsorship requirements set by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

 

To sponsor his wife, the expatriate resident must prove an existing marital relationship by submitting an authenticated marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a certified translator.

Sponsoring two wives 

In strict cases, a Muslim resident may be allowed to sponsor his two wives, if he meets certain terms and conditions set by the respective GDRFA.

Sponsoring daughters

An expatriate resident can sponsor his daughter/s only if she/they is/are unmarried.

Sponsoring sons

A resident can sponsor his son/s only up to the age of 18. If after the age of 18, the son is studying in the UAE or abroad, he can be sponsored until the age of 21 on providing the proof that he is studying. However, for his residence visa to stay valid, he has to enter the UAE at least once every six months. The residence visa is granted on a yearly basis, renewable until the person finishes his education.

 

Note: New rules for children’s visa sponsored by parents

Starting from 21 October 2018, students who graduate from their universities or secondary schools or complete 18 years of age will be granted a one-year residence visa, renewable for another year from the graduation date or on completing 18 years.

 

For this type of visa, parents are not required to place bank deposits. The visa will cost AED100 for first time issuing and renewal.

 

To avail this service, parents must present duly attested graduation certificates from universities or schools, whether inside the country or abroad.

 

Source:

• Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship
• Emirates News Agency-WAM

Sponsoring stepchildren

An expatriate resident can also sponsor his stepchildren, subject to GDRFA’s conditions which include a deposit for each child and a written no-objection certificate from the biological parent. Their residence visas are valid for one year; renewable annually.

 

Required documents to sponsor wife and children include:

• online application or through a registered typing office
• passport copies of the wife and children
• photos of the wife and children
• medical clearance certificate for the wife and children above 18
• copy of the husband's employment contract or company contract
• salary certificate from the employer stating the employee's monthly salary
• legalised marriage certificate
• registered tenancy contract
• latest utility bill.

 

Sponsoring your parents

An expatriate employee can sponsor his parents for a year's stay by paying a deposit as a guarantee for each parent as stipulated by the respective immigration department.

An expatriate employee cannot sponsor only one of his parents. He needs to sponsor both parents together. He also needs to provide proof that he is their sole support and that there is no one to take care of them back home.

If one of the parents has passed away or if the parents are divorced, he has to show the related official documents as justification to sponsor only one of his parents. 

To sponsor parents, the employed expatriate resident must earn the minimum salary stipulated and obtain a medical insurance policy for parents with the minimum coverage stipulated for each, to be renewed each year.

According to the website of Dubai Government, DNRD in Dubai stipulates a minimum salary of AED 20,000 or a monthly pay of AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation to sponsor parents’ visa. Check terms and conditions in other emirates. 

Woman sponsoring her family

In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating that she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any other profession related to the medical sector and if her monthly salary is not less than AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation. She needs to provide additional documents as stipulated by the respective authority.

In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in one of these categories she may still get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than AED 10,000 and with a special permission from the DNRD. 

A single mother can sponsor her child. The authorities might ask for documents similar to those required to sponsor stepchildren.

 

Validity and renewal

The duration of residence visa depends on the type of sponsor and the person sponsored. It is issued for one, or two or three years. Visa is renewed subject to conditions similar to those of fresh visas.

The family's residence permits are linked to the residence permit of the sponsoring expatriate employee. If the sponsoring family member's visa is cancelled, it requires cancellation of the visas of the dependents.

Dependents are granted a 30-day grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation of their visa to obtain a new residence permit. If the employee fails to renew or cancel the visa of his dependents, the dependents would be deemed illegal residents and could be liable to pay a fine.

Updated on 19 Jul 2020

How to renew the Emirates ID in United Arab Emirates

How toH

HOW DO I RENEW MY EMIRATES ID?

The Emirates ID renewal process in Dubai differs between UAE citizens and expatriates.

For expats, the first step to renewing an Emirates ID is renewing their UAE residency visa because the two are linked to each other. Expats can only renew their Emirates ID if they have a valid residency visa in the UAE. 

The Dubai Emirates ID renewal process for UAE citizens is fairly straightforward and outlined below. In both cases, here are the steps that need to be followed to renew the Emirates ID.

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO RENEWING EMIRATES ID IN U.a.e.

STEP 1: REGISTER AND SUBMIT THE EMIRATES ID RENEWAL FORM

To start the Emirates ID renewal process, the first step is to gather all the required documents (listed below) and head to any of the following three service centres. Currently, it’s not possible to complete the Emirates ID renewal online entirely, but you can initiate it using the smart applications.  

•  Customer Happiness Centers emirates 
• Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) service centres or smart service/mobile application
• Typing Centers in emirates 

These channels facilitate the entire Emirates ID renewal process for applicants. Once you are at the centres, the representatives there will assist you to fill the Emirates ID renewal form, where you will have to add your personal details.

STEP 2: PAY THE FEES

STEP 1: REGISTER AND SUBMIT THE EMIRATES ID RENEWAL FORM

To start the Emirates ID renewal process, the first step is to gather all the required documents (listed below) and head to any of the following three service centres. Currently, it’s not possible to complete the Emirates ID renewal online entirely, but you can initiate it using the smart applications.  

• Dubai Customer Happiness Centers
• Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) service centres or smart service/mobile application
• Typing Centers in Dubai

These channels facilitate the entire Emirates ID renewal process for applicants. Once you are at the centres, the representatives there will assist you to fill the Emirates ID renewal form, where you will have to add your personal details.

STEP 2: PAY THE FEES

Typing Centre:

• Emirates ID Renewal Fees for Expats: AED 170 (1 year validity), AED 270 (2 year validity), AED 370 (3 year validity)
• UAE Citizens: AED 170 (5 year validity), AED 270 (10 years validity)
• GCC National: AED 170 (5 year validity)

FAIC Website/Smart App:

• Expats: AED 140 (1 year validity), AED 240 (2 year validity), AED 340 (3 year validity)
• UAE Citizens: AED 290 (5 year validity), AED 390 (10 years validity)
• GCC National: AED 290 (5 year validity)

Customer Happiness Centers the Emirates ID in Dubai? renew th

• Expat/Resident: AED 290 (1 year), AED 390 (2 years) AED 490 (3 years)
• UAE Citizen: AED 290 (5-year validity), AED 390 (10-year validity)
• GCC AED 290 (5-year validity)

 

STEP 3: CONFIRM YOUR BIOMETRICS

e After paying the renewal fees for the UAE Emirates ID, you’re halfway there. Following the payment, applicants will receive an SMS informing them of the application status. In some cases, applicants above the age of 15 years may need to have their biometrics taken. This can be facilitated by visiting nay of approved Preventive Medicine Centre to have their photographs and fiSCOLLECT THThe final step to successfully renewing your Emirates ID is to collect it. Applicants will receive an SMS from Empost informing them the ID card is ready for collection from a post office of their choosing. 

And that’s all you need to do to renew the Emirates ID. While it seems fairly straightforward, it’s important to have all the documents ready at hand when going to renew the UAE ID card. We’ve made a list of required documents to help you get your things in order. 

The Emirates ID renewal processing time can vary depending on the different situations.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR RENEWING EMIRATES ID

UAE citizens, GCC Nationals and expatriates each require a different set of documents required for the Emirates ID renewal process.

 DOCUMENTS REQUIRED EMIRATES ID RENEWAL FOR EXPATS

• Original passport
• Original valid residency visa or entry permit
• Residency visa under renewal is applicable
• Old Emirates ID card
• For newborns or those under the age of 15: Personal photo (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) with white background, original birth certificate OR father’s passport or Emirates ID, Passport and visa of the sponsor of the applicant (only for newborns)

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR UAE CITIZENS

• Original Family Book (in case of newborn application, make sure the child is added to the family book) (Only required when applying through a typing centre)
• Original passport
• For newborns or those under the age of 15: Personal photo with white background (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm), original birth certificate OR father’s passport or Emirates ID. ID Number issued when registering in the Population Register (only for newborn applications)

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR GCC NATIONALS

• Original passport
• Original Valid GCC ID Card
• Proof of residency in the UAE (such as valid trade license, certificate to prove the applicant is studying in the UAE, employment certificate or attested employment agreement) (For children, the relevant documents for the parent of the applicant can be used)
• For newborns or those under the age of 15: Personal photo with white background, original birth certificate OR father’s passport or Emirates ID

 

FAQ’S ABOUT RENEWING EMIRATES ID IN united arab emirates 

WHEN DO I NEED TO RENEW MY EMIRATES ID?

For expats, the renewal process for the Emirates ID must be initiated at the same time the residency visa is being renewed. However, when the card does expire, UAE citizens and residents have a grace period of 30 days from the date of expiry, to renew their ID card. Residents who fail to renew their Emirates ID before that will face a fine of AED 20 per day, which can go up to a maximum of AED 1,000.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE EMIRATES ID RENEWAL?

It can take anywhere from 24 hours to five days, depending on which method you choose. To get it within 24 hours, the urgent service fee will be charged for ex-pats which is an additional charge.

That concludes this step-by-step guide on how to renew Emirates ID in United Arab Emirates. For any clarification regarding the information here, please reach out to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship at 600-522222.Emirates ID in Dubai?

Sponsoring family residency visa by expatriates in United Arab Emirates

how to sponsorr your family in uae 

1. formation and services
 
2. Visa and Emirates ID
 
3. Residence visa
 
4. Sponsoring family residency visa by expatriates

Sponsoring family residency visa by expatriates

Both, employers and employees with a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor residence visas for their families. Unlike before, employees can sponsor their families regardless of their job titles if they earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Clearing medical fitness examination applies to all newcomers who have completed the age of 18.

---

• Sponsorship requirements
• Sponsoring your wife and children
• Sponsoring your parents
• Woman sponsoring her family
• Validity and renewal

Sponsorship requirements

Expatriate residents, both employers and employees, may sponsor their families in the UAE provided they have a valid residency permit.

 

Male residents who are employed in the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions which include minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.

 

Since March 2019, the type of profession is no longer a condition for an expatriate worker to be able to sponsor his family visas. The UAE government amended its previous provision under which only listed professions could apply for family sponsorship visa. Now, a foreign worker can bring over his family members to the UAE and sponsor their residence visas regardless of his profession as long as he maintains the ‘income criteria’ i. e. the minimum wage requirement, which is a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Check with the relevant GDRFA for more information.

 

Further, if the father of the family is residing in the UAE and meets the conditions for sponsoring his children, the mother is not allowed to sponsor them.

  

A resident sponsor has 60 days to apply for his dependents’ residence visa after they enter the UAE and modify their status from an entry permit holder to a residence visa holder.

 

Family members are issued visas for one, two or three years depending on the nature of the work and labour contract of the sponsoring member and his capacity as an employee or employer.

 

In general, expatriate employees are issued residency visa for one year or two years based on their labour contract, while expatriate employers are issued residency visa for three years.

 

Sponsored residents except adult males who are continuing their education and sponsored parents can enjoy the same visa duration as their sponsors. For the adult males and parents, the residence visa is granted on a yearly basis regardless of the sponsor’s visa duration.

 

The conditions are subject to change from time to time. Kindly check with Dubai GDRFA or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

 

Medical fitness requirement

In order for the UAE to grant or renew a residence visa for family members, males and females who have completed the age of 18 need to undergo and pass medical fitness tests at government approved health centres in the UAE.

 

All applicants of visa, whether for first time or for renewal, will be tested for two communicable diseases: HIV (by testing their blood) and pulmonary tuberculosis (by taking an x-ray of their chest). Those found to be HIV positive or having tuberculosis will be considered medically unfit and therefore will not be granted a residence visa. They will be deported immediately by the UAE's authorities.

 

Residents who are detected with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit. In this case, they are granted a one-year ‘Health Fitness Certificate for Residence’ subject to treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or equivalent government health authority. Hence, if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease it is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country first.

 

Locate government medical fitness centres:

Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah have several medical fitness centres. Check also medical examinations centres for residency offered by the Ministry of Health and Prevention - Preventive Medicine Department.

 

Useful links:

• Apply for medical examination for expatriate residence visa - Ministry of Health and Prevention
• Health conditions for a UAE residence visa - UAE Government portal
• Resolution No. 5 of 2016 amending provisions of the Cabinet Decree No. 7 of 2008
• Communicable Diseases Bulletin (PDF 2.65 MB)-Department of Health – Abu Dhabi

Sponsoring your wife and children

An expatriate resident may sponsor the residence visa for his wife and children if he fulfils the above mentioned sponsorship requirements set by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

 

To sponsor his wife, the expatriate resident must prove an existing marital relationship by submitting an authenticated marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a certified translator.

Sponsoring two wives 

In strict cases, a Muslim resident may be allowed to sponsor his two wives, if he meets certain terms and conditions set by the respective GDRFA.

Sponsoring daughters

An expatriate resident can sponsor his daughter/s only if she/they is/are unmarried.

Sponsoring sons

A resident can sponsor his son/s only up to the age of 18. If after the age of 18, the son is studying in the UAE or abroad, he can be sponsored until the age of 21 on providing the proof that he is studying. However, for his residence visa to stay valid, he has to enter the UAE at least once every six months. The residence visa is granted on a yearly basis, renewable until the person finishes his education.

 

Note: New rules for children’s visa sponsored by parents

Starting from 21 October 2018, students who graduate from their universities or secondary schools or complete 18 years of age will be granted a one-year residence visa, renewable for another year from the graduation date or on completing 18 years.

 

For this type of visa, parents are not required to place bank deposits. The visa will cost AED100 for first time issuing and renewal.

 

To avail this service, parents must present duly attested graduation certificates from universities or schools, whether inside the country or abroad.

 

Source:

• Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship
• Emirates News Agency-WAM

Sponsoring stepchildren

An expatriate resident can also sponsor his stepchildren, subject to GDRFA’s conditions which include a deposit for each child and a written no-objection certificate from the biological parent. Their residence visas are valid for one year; renewable annually.

 

Required documents to sponsor wife and children include:

• online application or through a registered typing office
• passport copies of the wife and children
• photos of the wife and children
• medical clearance certificate for the wife and children above 18
• copy of the husband's employment contract or company contract
• salary certificate from the employer stating the employee's monthly salary
• legalised marriage certificate
• registered tenancy contract
• latest utility bill.

 

Sponsoring your parents

An expatriate employee can sponsor his parents for a year's stay by paying a deposit as a guarantee for each parent as stipulated by the respective immigration department.

An expatriate employee cannot sponsor only one of his parents. He needs to sponsor both parents together. He also needs to provide proof that he is their sole support and that there is no one to take care of them back home.

If one of the parents has passed away or if the parents are divorced, he has to show the related official documents as justification to sponsor only one of his parents. 

To sponsor parents, the employed expatriate resident must earn the minimum salary stipulated and obtain a medical insurance policy for parents with the minimum coverage stipulated for each, to be renewed each year.

According to the website of Dubai Government, DNRD in Dubai stipulates a minimum salary of AED 20,000 or a monthly pay of AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation to sponsor parents’ visa. Check terms and conditions in other emirates. 

Woman sponsoring her family

In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating that she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any other profession related to the medical sector and if her monthly salary is not less than AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation. She needs to provide additional documents as stipulated by the respective authority.

In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in one of these categories she may still get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than AED 10,000 and with a special permission from the DNRD. 

A single mother can sponsor her child. The authorities might ask for documents similar to those required to sponsor stepchildren.

 

Validity and renewal

The duration of residence visa depends on the type of sponsor and the person sponsored. It is issued for one, or two or three years. Visa is renewed subject to conditions similar to those of fresh visas.

The family's residence permits are linked to the residence permit of the sponsoring expatriate employee. If the sponsoring family member's visa is cancelled, it requires cancellation of the visas of the dependents.

Dependents are granted a 30