Working in the UAE involves getting a residence visa for employment. This is valid for two or three years, after which you need to have it renewed to keep on working in the country.
ALSO READ: How to Choose the Right Kind of UAE Visa
Likewise, if you have been outside the UAE for six months or more, you will need to renew your residence visa as well. This way, you can continue living and working in the country legally — thus avoiding penalties, or worse — legal problems. Renewing your visa is a must!
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Guide to Renewing UAE Residence Visa for Employment
Since your residence visa was obtained for employment purposes, renewing it should also be handled by your company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO). Before this, however, you will also need to apply for a new Emirates ID as well as undergo a new medical examination.
Prior to having your UAE residence visa renewed, keep in mind the following prerequisites, requirements, and procedure first:
Prerequisites
The applicant should…
- Be a resident of the UAE
- Have completed and passed a medical test
- Have applied to renew his/her Emirates ID
Requirements
- Application form for renewing visa
- Original passport with visa page
- Medical test certificate
- Two (2) passport-sized photos
- Emirates ID application form certified by Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA)
- Renewal fee of AED 310 (plus typing fee)
Additional requirements for private sector employees:
- Copy of valid establishment card
- Copy of valid trade/commercial licence
- Copy of labour card or receipt for labour card renewal
Procedure
- The company’s PRO goes to the nearest General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) office and handles all the paperwork, so you don’t need to go there physically.
- After your residence visa gets renewed, you can sit back, relax, and continue with your job in Dubai!
Important Reminders
- Once your residence visa expires, there’s a 30-day grace period during which you can stay and have your visa renewed.
- If you are still in the country after the grace period, you will incur penalties, as follows: (a) AED 25/day during the first 180 days (6 months); (b) AED 50/day during the second 180 days (6 months); and (c) AED 100/day after one year or more.
- Don’t forget that when your residence visa expires, your Emirates ID issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) also expires.
ALSO READ: How to Apply for a UAE Visa on Arrival
DISCLAIMER: The above guide is presented for information-sharing purposes only. To learn more about how to renew your residence visa for employment, please visit the GDRFA official website or the UAE Government Portal.