Visa Renewal UAE – Arabiers Guide 2022
27th September, 2022 Updated
Those who are residents or visitors in UAE can renew their visas before it expires or within the grace period. The grace period is a duration after visa expiry allocated by the UAE Government, within which the visa holder has to apply for renewal or exit the UAE. Anyone who fails to do so will incur hefty fines. This visa renewal UAE guide will crackdown on "how to renew your residence or visit UAE visa?", an explanation of the procedures, a breakdown of the rates, and so many other important details.
Table Of Contents
Visit Visa Renewal
What is visit visa renewal UAE?
Visit visa renewal 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. Before we delve into details about visit visa renewal, first let us explain the different visit visa categories.
A UAE Visit Visa Categories
The UAE Government issues 5 types of visit visa depending on the travelers 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 |
| Russian Federation | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | San Marino |
| Serbia | Seychelles | Slovakia |
| Slovenia | Solomon Islands | Spain |
| Sweden | Switzerland | Uruguay |
Visa type?
90 days multiple entry
Cost ?
Free of charge
Validity period of 90 days stay duration?
Within 180 days of 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 | Ukraine | United Kingdom and Northern Ireland |
| United States of America | Vatican City |
Visa type?
30 days single entry
Cost?
Free of charge
Validity period of 30 days stay duration?
Within 30 days of 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 having either:
- A valid residence visa issued by EU countries or the UK with at least 6 months validity
- Have a valid visitor visa(valid for minimum 6 months) or a green card issued by 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. Travelers 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 90 days single or multiple entries, depending on your budget and preference
Cost?
Price varies depending on the visa you choose
How to get it?
Through an airline or your operator like Arabiers.
Validity period of visa?
60 days from the date of issue within which you have to enter the UAE.
B 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. Travelers 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.
C 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.
D Rates for renewal
The Visit visa renewal charges include the fee for the new visit visa, change status, typing 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.
| Renewal options | Rates | Grace |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month renewal – Straight stay | 1150 - 1200 AED | 10 days |
| 3 months renewal – Straight stay | 1550 - 1600 AED | 10 days |
| 1 month renewal – Multi entry | 2300 - 2400 AED | 0 days |
| 3 months renewal – Multi entry | 3300 - 3400 AED | 0 days |
E Overstaying fine if not renewed
It is mandatory for all visit visa holders to 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 and single entry prepaid visas. There is no grace period for multiple entry visas or other on-arrival visas.
If you have overstayed and exiting UAE your fine will be calculated:
- 200 AED for the first day of overstay
- 100 AED for each consecutive day
- 100 AED as service fees
If you have overstayed but renewing the visa your fine will be calculated:
- 100 AED for the first day of overstay
- 100 AED for each consecutive day
- 55 AED as service fees
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 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
1 year Family residence visa
Who can get it?
An expatriate employed in the UAE can sponsor his parents with a 1 year family residence visa.
What are the important criteria for this 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 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.
2 years Family residence visa
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 fulfill the eligibility criteria.
3 years Family residence visa
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.
2 years mainland employee 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.
3 years free zone employee residence visa
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. ,
3 years partner / investor residence visa
Who can get it?
If an individual is an investor of a UAE-based business, the investor can apply for a 3 year partner/investor visa under the sponsorship of the registered company name.
C How to Renew – Process
D 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.
UAE Family Visa Renewal Rates - AED
| Fees | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical | 300 | 300 | 300 |
| Emirates ID | 170 | 270 | 370 |
| Visa stamping application | 160 | 460 | 560 |
| Zajel & stamping | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Service charges | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Approximate total | 780 AED | 1180 AED | 1380 AED |
UAE Employment residences visa renewal rates – AED
| Fees | 2 years | 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | 300 | 300 |
| Emirates ID | 270 | 370 |
| Visa stamping application | 460 | 560 |
| Zajel & stamping | 50 | 50 |
| Labor contract renewal | 79 | 79 |
| Labor insurance | 150 | 300 |
| Labor renewal payment | 300 | 500 |
| Approximate total | AED 1600 | AED 2200 |
E 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.
F Outside UAE and Residences Visa Expired
The visa of any 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 traveling 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 for the emirate where you reside.)
