Renewing a family visa in Dubai involves several steps and requires specific documents and fees. Here’s a guide to help you through the process.
Visa services
Eligibility
Before initiating the renewal process, ensure the following:
Documents required
Documents required
How it works
Dependents may need to undergo a medical fitness test. Visit an approved medical center for the test, and make sure to obtain the necessary certificates.
If the Emirates ID is about to expire, renew it along with the residence visa. The renewal process for the Emirates ID can be done online through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or at their centers.
Submit the visa renewal application through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. You can use their online portal or visit their office in person.
After processing, you will receive the renewed residence visas. Make sure all the details are correct and the visas are stamped in the passports.
Government fees
Government charges for a family visa renewal, shown at cost. Our service fee is quoted separately, in writing, before you commit.
Total of the three charges above for one dependant. Regulations and fees can change — we confirm the figures applicable on the day of filing.
Fees are set by MOHRE and GDRFA and are reviewed periodically. We send an itemised written breakdown showing government cost at cost and our fee separately, before any payment is made.
Benefits
Five things worth knowing before and after the renewal is submitted.
Ensure that the health insurance for your dependents is updated, as it is a requirement for the visa renewal process.
Once the renewal process is complete, collect the renewed visas and Emirates IDs.
If you have moved or changed your tenancy, update your address and records with the relevant authorities.
Begin the renewal process well before the visa expiration to avoid any issues — ideally 1–2 months ahead.
Regulations and fees can change, so regularly check the GDRFA or official government websites for the latest information.
We handle medical, Emirates ID renewal, GDRFA submission and stamping as a single file, so nothing lapses between steps.
Before you renew
A renewal looks routine until one of these six has changed since the last filing. Each is checked before we file — because a renewal that stalls past the expiry date costs fines as well as time.
A renewal is granted against the sponsor, exactly as the original visa was. If the sponsor’s own position has changed since the last filing, that surfaces here.
Renewal timing decides whether this is routine or expensive. The window is generous, but only if you use it.
Both were checked at the original application and both are checked again. A change in either since then affects eligibility.
Insurance is a requirement of the renewal process, not just the original application, and it must be current for the new term.
Circumstances change between renewals. Age limits and marital status can move a dependant out of eligibility without anyone noticing.
A renewal is lighter than a new application, but the documents must be current versions rather than copies of what was filed last time.
Start the process
Gather these 24 items and we can open the file the same day. Current versions only — last renewal’s documents will be returned. Tap any line to tick it off as you collect it.
FAQs
The renewal process should ideally begin 1 to 2 months before the expiration date, to avoid any lapses. Beginning well before expiry also leaves room for a medical or an unexpected query.
The three government charges are Medical VIP at 750 AED, Emirates ID at 385 AED and visa stamping at 510 AED — around 1,645 AED per dependant. Our service fee is quoted separately.
Dependents may need to undergo a medical fitness test. Visit an approved medical center for the test and obtain the necessary certificates. Whether a new test is required depends on when the previous one was taken.
If the Emirates ID is about to expire, renew it along with the residence visa. The renewal can be done online through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or at their centers.
Yes. Ensure that the health insurance for your dependents is updated, as it is a requirement for the visa renewal process.
If you have moved or changed your tenancy, update your address and records with the relevant authorities before submitting the renewal.
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