Renewing your residence visa

Renewing your residence visa

The UAE Government allows residents a grace period of 30 days to stay in the UAE after the expiry of their visas. The residence visa has to be renewed before the end of that period to avoid incurring fines.

Renewing your residence visa

Your sponsor must renew your residence visa before it expires. A renewed visa will let you continue living legally in the UAE without incurring fines or facing legal consequences for the same. The relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) allows residents a grace period of 30 days to stay in the UAE after their visas expire.

 

As per the UAE immigration’s fines system, the penalty to stay on after the expiration of the grace period is:

  • AED 25 per day during the first 6 months (180 days)
  • AED 50 per day during the second 6 months (180 days)
  • AED 100 per day after passing a year and more.

 

Remember that when the visa expires, your Emirates ID card issued by Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICA) also expires.

How early can a residence visa be renewed?

The time limit to renew an expired residence visas is 30 days from the date of expiry. However, if there is a need to renew it a few months earlier (one to six months) for travelling reasons, you must first take special permission and approval from the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner’s Affairs in the emirate that issued your visa.

Requirements for renewal

The conditions for renewing the residence visa are similar to those for sponsoring family members, getting a work permit and when your visa was issued for the first time.

 

Basic requirements are:

  • a sponsor with a valid residency permit
  • passing a medical fitness test for those above 18
  • insurance card (mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
  • a renewed identity card issued from ICA, or an original receipt that you have registered with ICA to get a renewal.

 

The following documents are needed:

  • online application or application through a registered typing office for renewal of residency permit signed by the sponsor, whether public sector, private sector company, or personal sponsor
  • original passport of the sponsored
  • photo of the sponsored.

 

For employers working in the private sector, the sponsoring company must submit the following additional documents:

  • a copy of a valid firm card
  • a copy of a valid trade licence
  • a copy of renewed labour card of the sponsored
  • a copy of labour card renewal receipt for those who reached (60) years and above.

 

Those sponsoring their families: spouse, children, parents and siblings (relatives of first and second degree) must present:

  • a copy of the husband’s/wife’s employment contract or company contract for investors
  • a salary certificate from the employer stating the employee’s monthly salary
  • a legalised marriage certificate
  • a registered tenancy contract
  • latest utility bill.

 

They must also meet the

 

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