Visa Renewal UAE – Arabiers Guide 2024

Q: What is the procedure for sponsoring my family if my name is not mentioned on the tenancy contract?

The sponsor should get the copy of his tenancy agreement certified by the municipality and submit it when applying for a family residence visa.

Q: What if the apartment is rented by the company?

At Arabiers we have out together a guide about the The company contract must be attached with the visa application.

Visit Visa Renewal

What is visit visa renewal UAE ?

Visit visa renewal in UAE is the procedure of getting a new visit visa without exiting the UAE. The process also includes a status change that permits the holder to stay longer in UAE without exiting.

As per the government statements for the UAE visas, limited in-country visa renewal options are available now. Simply the visa renewal process can also be identified as a mode of visa extension or getting a new visa by changing the status or exiting the UAE border.

A. Rate for renewal

The Visit visa renewal charges include the fee for the new visit visa, change status, typing a new application, government fees, services fees and processing fees. A bit extra can be charged depending on your chosen method of payment. This is the list of rates for visit visa renewal.

Standard Processing

24-48 hours

20 days extension

Without exit

Only for 30 days on arrival nationals

990AED

30 days extension

Without exit

Only Prepaid visa holders

1190AED

30 days new tourist visa

Airport to Airport

All nationals

1590AED

60 days new tourist visa

Airport to Airport

For All nationals

1790AED

30 days express visa

Traveller who exit UAE border

For All nationals

789AED

60 days express visa

Traveller who exit UAE border

For All nationals

989AED

90 Days in country visa

without exit & with changes status

For All nationals

B. UAE visit visa categories

The UAE Government issues 5 types of visit visa depending on the traveler's nationality. They are :

90 days on arrival visit visa

Who gets it ?

48 countries

Argentina	Austria	Bahamas Islands
Barbados	Belgium	Bulgaria
Chile	Colombia	Costa Rica
Croatia	Cyprus	Czech Republic
Denmark	El-Salvador	Estonia
Finland	France	Germany
Greece	Honduras	Hungary
Iceland	Italy	Kiribati
Latvia	Liechtenstein	Lithuania
Luxembourg	Maldives	Malta
Montenegro	Nauru	Netherlands
Norway	Paraguay	Peru
Poland	Portugal	Romania
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Russian Federation	San Marino
Serbia	Seychelles	Slovakia
Slovenia	Solomon Islands	Spain
Sweden	Switzerland	Uruguay

Visa type ?

90 days multiple entry

Cost ?

Free of charge

The validity period of 90 days stay duration ?

Within 180 days of the first arrival through UAE airport or borders.

How to get it ?

Stamped on entry at any UAE airport or border.

30 days on arrival visit visa

Who gets it ?

19 countries

Andorra	Australia	Brunei
Canada	China	Hong Kong-China
Japan	Kazakhstan	Macau-China
Malaysia	Mauritius	Monaco
New Zealand	Republic of Ireland	San Marino
Singapore	United Kingdom and Northern Ireland	Ukraine
United States of America	Vatican City

Visa type ?

30 days single entry

Cost ?

Free of charge

The validity period of 30 days stay duration ?

Within 30 days of the first arrival through UAE airport or borders.

How to get it ?

Stamped on entry at any UAE airport or border.

14 days on arrival visit visa

Who gets it ?

Indian passport holders have either :

A valid residence visa issued by EU countries or the UK with at least 6 months of validity.
Have a valid visitor visa(valid for minimum of 6 months) or a green card issued by the USA.

Visa type ?

14days single entry

Cost ?

Have to pay

How to get it ?

Stamped on entry at any UAE airport or border.

180 days on arrival visit visa

Who gets it ?

Mexican passport holders

Visa type ?

180 days multiple entry

Cost ?

Free of charge

How to get it ?

Stamped on entry at any UAE airport or border.

Pre-arranged visit visa

Who gets it ?

Individuals who are not eligible for any of the on-arrival visa types. Travellers originating from countries like Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe and other countries are advised to arrange a visa before arriving in the UAE.
Those who get 14 days or 30 days on arrival visa but want to stay longer in the UAE.

Visa type ?

30 days or 60 days for single or multiple entries, depending on your budget and preference

Cost ?

Price varies depending on the visa you choose

The validity period of visa ?

60 days from the date of issue within which you have to enter the UAE.

How to get it ?

Through an airline or your operator like Arabiers

C. How to Renew ?

Just like many of the procedures, visit visa renewal in UAE is also a very simple and easy process. More than 5 visit visas can be renewed at a single time without the need to leave the country. The UAE Government has no restrictions on the times you can renew your visa. Travellers are free to renew an unlimited number of times for as long as they want to stay in the UAE. The visit visa renewal is done by creating a new visit visa and performing a status change so the holder can have a longer stay.

D. Process of Renewal

The visit visa renewal process is simple and can be done remotely through WhatsApp. You can get your visa renewed in 24 to 48 hours by contacting the Arabiers customer service team, who are ready to help you round the clock.

STEP 1 : Send the Documents

Pre-arranged visa nationals

Send digital copies of your current visit visa, your passport and a colored photo of you to apply for visa renewal.

On arrival nationals

Send digital copies of your passport and a coloured photo to proceed with visa renewal.

STEP 2 : Make the Payment

This can be done through Arabiers' double secure payment link.

STEP 3 : Application Process Begins

The visit visa renewal procedure begins by applying for a new in-country visa.

STEP 4 : Doing the Status Change

After your new in-country visit visa is approved, the previous visa details will be used to proceed with the status change.

STEP 5 : Renewed Visa

The visit visa renewal procedure is complete after the status change has been approved.

E. Overstaying fine if not renewed

All visit visa holders must renew their visas if they plan to stay longer. If you forget to renew your visa and overstay without renewal, you will be fined for every day you overstay after your grace period.

The grace period is a buffer time within which you have to exit the country or get your visit visa renewed. A 10-day grace period is given for 30 day on-arrival visa holders, and 30-60 days grace period is given to cancelled residence visa holders. There is no grace period for multiple entry visas or other on-arrival visas. We advise the applicant to directly visit or call immigration to confirm the grace period.

With the 2023 visa reforms, If you have overstayed and exited UAE, your fine will be calculated as follows :

50 AED per day (Instead of 100 AED for tourist visa holders and 25 AED for the cancelled residence visa holders) & services charges as per airport.

Residence Visa Renewal

A. About UAE residence visa

Expatriates living and working in the UAE hold residence visas valid for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 years, depending on the visa type. These visas can be renewed after expiry within the allocated residence visa grace period of 30-60 days. You can continue to stay in the UAE without any trouble if you renew your visa on time, or else you might have to face the following consequences :

Incur a fine of 25 AED for every day overstayed. Upon exceeding 150 days, the fine will be 50 AED per day.
Unable to transfer money outside of UAE through money exchange operators because your Emirates ID will become invalid.
Suspension of telecom and bank services under your name.

B. Types of residence visas in the UAE

Since the visa renewal procedure varies depending on the type, we will first explain the different types of residence visas issued by the UAE Government.

1 year Family residence visa

2 years Family residence visa

3 years Family residence visa

2 years mainland employee residence visa

3 years free zone employee residence visa

3 years partner / Investor residence visa

Who can get it ?

An expatriate employed in the UAE can sponsor his parents with a one year family residence visa.

What are the important criteria for this visa ?

An expatriate employed in the UAE can sponsor his parents with a one year family residence visa.

The expatriate needs to earn the minimum salary mentioned by the government and be able to secure a medical insurance policy for both parents with the minimum mentioned coverage. The insurance also needs to be renewed every year.
A deposit of the specified amount must be kept as a guarantee for both parents. Both parents need to be sponsored together. The expatriate cannot sponsor only one parent.
Provide proof that there is no other support or person to take care of the parents in their home country.
If parents are divorced, or either one has passed away, necessary official documents must be submitted to gain approval for sponsoring only one parent.

Who can get it ?

Any male expatriate employed in the UAE earning a minimum salary of 4000 AED or 3000 AED with accommodation can sponsor their immediate family members(wife, children). From March 2019 onwards, expatriates of any profession can sponsor their family for 2 years as long as they fullfil the eligibility criteria.

Who can get it ?

Expatriate residents having a valid residence permit and owning a business or holding an investor/partner visa can sponsor their family with a 3 year family residence visa.

Who can get it ?

Expatriate residents working for a company in the mainland hold a mainland employee residence visa that is sponsored by the company.

What are the visa requirements ?

Applicants 18 and above must face a medical test certifying that they are medically fit to work.
Pass a security check before applying for their Emirates ID card from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

Who can get it ?

Expatriate residents working for a company in the Freezone will be sponsored by their company for a 3 years free zone employee residence visa.

Who can get it ?

If an individual is an investor in a UAE-based business, the investor can apply for a 3 year partner/investor visa under the sponsorship of the registered company name.

C. Rates for Renewal

This chart will show a clear breakdown of the costs for a visa renewal in the UAE. Rates are subject to change without any prior notice. Similarly, the procedure also might vary slightly depending on the technological advances adopted by the UAE government.

1 year Family residence visa

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	170
Visa stamping application	160
Zajel & stamping	50
Service charges	100

2 year Family residence visa

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	270
Visa stamping application	460
Zajel & stamping	50
Service charges	100

3 year Family residence visa

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	370
Visa stamping application	560
Zajel & stamping	50
Service charges	100

2 year Employment residences visa renewal rates

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	270
Visa stamping application	460
Zajel & stamping	50
Labour contract renewal	79
Labour insurance	150
Labour renewal payment	300

3 year Employment residences visa renewal rates

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	370
Visa stamping application	560
Zajel & stamping	50
Labour contract renewal	79
Labour insurance	300
Labour renewal payment	500

1 year Family residence visa

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	170
Visa stamping application	160
Zajel & stamping	50
Service charges	100

2 year Family residence visa

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	270
Visa stamping application	460
Zajel & stamping	50
Service charges	100

3 year Family residence visa

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	370
Visa stamping application	560
Zajel & stamping	50
Service charges	100

2 year Employment residences visa renewal rates

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	270
Visa stamping application	460
Zajel & stamping	50
Labour contract renewal	79
Labour insurance	150
Labour renewal payment	300

3 year Employment residences visa renewal rates

AED

Medical	300
Emirates ID	370
Visa stamping application	560
Zajel & stamping	50
Labour contract renewal	79
Labour insurance	300
Labour renewal payment	500

D. Overstaying fine if not renewed

If you fail to renew your visa within the 30 day grace period after visa expiry, you will be fined 25 AED per day & 50 AED per day after 150 days have exceeded.

E. Outside UAE and Residences visa expired

The visa of any the UAE residence visa holder who has stayed outside UAE for 6 consecutive months will be automatically invalidated. However, there are some exceptions to the rule where the holder can maintain the visa validity even if they have been away for 6 months.

They include :

Domestic helpers were travelling with Emiratis for medical treatment or education.
Non-Emirati wife of an Emirati citizen who is sponsored by her husband.
Non-Emirati government employees seeking treatment abroad, provided they submit a medical report certified by the Ministry of Health and Prevention or any other medical UAE governing body.
Domestic helpers traveling with diplomatic members or members of the consular missions when representing UAE abroad.
Employees of consular missions who hold a valid UAE residence visa.
Expatriates employed in the public sector and attending company-approved training or courses abroad or those working in foreign-based offices of their employers.
Expatriate students studying in foreign universities or institutes (applicable in the Emirate of Dubai. Confirm with the GDRFA if this rule is applicable to the emirate where you reside.)

Updates

September 27, 2023

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Economy Minister, revealed plans at a conference in Abu Dhabi for a prospective visa system that aims to streamline travel for residents across GCC nations. While citizens of the GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar) already enjoy seamless border crossings, foreign residents need to get visas. The proposed system aims to provide Gulf residents the freedom to travel within the region without the need for visas.Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Economy Minister, revealed plans at a conference in Abu Dhabi for a prospective visa system that aims to streamline travel for residents across GCC nations. While citizens of the GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar) already enjoy seamless border crossings, foreign residents need to get visas. The proposed system aims to provide Gulf residents the freedom to travel within the region without the need for visas.

Source : Gulfnews

May 31, 2023

In a recent development, the UAE immigration has scrapped the grace period previously provided to prepaid visit visa holders, which typically lasted for 10 days. Individuals now can opt for prepaid visas with durations of either 30 or 60 days. It is crucial for visa holders to be aware that once their chosen duration expires, they must take immediate action to either extend their visa or depart the country in order to prevent penalties for overstaying or the potential consequences of absconding. The ones who do not like to exist in the UAE can also take a new visa through the visa renewal process.

Source : Arabiers processing team

October 28, 2022

As a result of the UAE's recent visa revisions, visitors in UAE can renew their visit visa without exiting the country with options like single and multiple entries 30, or 60 day visas.

Source : ICP

September 27, 2022

Passengers transiting through UAE airports are issued one of two types of transit visas (48 hours or 96 hours), and these visas cannot be renewed.

August 20, 2022

Travellers under the age of 16 flying to Dubai do not need to undergo a PCR test before leaving their home country.

Frequently Asked Questions

My son is below 18 years old, Does he need to do medical for me to renew his visa ?

Applicants under 18 years of age aren't required to face medical. They only need to get their Emirates ID made and the visa stamped.

Are the visa requirements the same in all Emirates or only in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah ?

New visa rules are effective throughout the UAE.

What is the procedure for sponsoring my family if my name is not mentioned on the tenancy contract ?

The sponsor should get a copy of his tenancy agreement certified by the municipality and submit it when applying for a family residence visa.

Can I sponsor my family if I am sharing an apartment without a separate tenancy contract ?

It is now compulsory for all the names of sharing individuals to be listed in the tenancy contract.

How can bachelors living in labour camps or sharing rooms in their company residences apply ?

They must attach a company letter mentioning their names.

What is the procedure for new residents who need to have a residence visa to get a tenancy contract ?

For such individuals, submitting the sponsor's document will do.

What if the apartment is rented by the company ?

At Arabiers, we have put together a guide about the company contract that must be attached to the visa application.

What about residents who are staying in hotel apartments ?

A copy of the contract signed with the hotel will do.

What is the current visit visa renewal procedure? Do I need to pay a fine for my expired UAE visa ?

The first step will be to settle your overstaying fines, apply for a new visa and then do the status change.

10.

Is there any limit to the number of times a UAE visa can be renewed ?

No, an unlimited number of renewals are allowed.

11.

Do I need to face a medical test to renew my UAE visa ?

To be able to renew a residence visa, male and female expatriates need to pass a medical test that is performed at any government-accredited health center in the UAE.

12.

What medical tests are performed for a UAE residence visa renewal ?

Expats need to test negative for any infectious disease like TB and HIV. Labourers need to test negative for syphilis, and Hepatitis B. Female domestic workers need to test negative for pregnancy. According to the newly passed cabinet resolution in 2016, all expatriates applying for renewal need to face TB screening. If they have scars, active TB or drug-resistant TB, they will receive a conditional fitness certificate and their visa will be renewed for 1 year. They will then have to seek treatment in the UAE.

13.

Should I have a medical report when renewing my visit visa ?

No, this is not required.

On this guide

1. Visit Visa Renewal
2. Residence Visa Renewal
3. Updates
4. Frequently Asked Questions