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What Is the Family Visa Hold Service?
When an expatriate resident in Dubai changes employers, the employment visa linked to the current job must be cancelled before a new visa under the next employer can be issued. Because dependent residence visas are legally tied to the sponsor's own visa, cancelling the employment visa would ordinarily trigger cancellation of every family member's residence permit as well.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai provides a specific mechanism to prevent this outcome: the family visa holding service. This procedure places each dependent's residence visa into a suspended state, referred to as a "hold," while the sponsor's employment transfer is in progress. During the hold period, the dependent visa remains valid in the immigration system, and the family member retains lawful resident status in the UAE. All travel and immigration transactions, including departure from and re-entry to the UAE, are blocked until the hold is removed.
The hold period is capped at 60 days from the date the service is activated, as specified in the GDRFA Dubai hold service procedures. This window is designed to cover the time required for the new employer to complete the sponsor's residency transfer, including labour approval, medical examination, Emirates ID registration, and visa stamping.
The hold service applies specifically to Dubai-issued visas and must be processed through the GDRFA Dubai or an authorised Amer Centre. Dependent visas issued in other emirates fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) service centres in the relevant emirate, and procedures may differ.
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Who Can Use the Family Visa Hold Service?
Eligible Sponsors
The hold service is available to expatriate residents in Dubai who are transferring their employment from one employer to another and who personally sponsor dependent family members under their own visa. The sponsor must be in the process of cancelling an active employment visa and must have a confirmed job offer from a new employer in the UAE.
Sponsors who hold investor visas, partner visas, or self-sponsored visas and are not undergoing an employment transfer do not fall within the standard scope of the hold service. Their dependents' visa continuity is governed by different GDRFA procedures applicable to their visa category.
Eligible Dependents
The hold service covers dependents whose residence visas were issued in Dubai and are directly sponsored by the individual whose employment is changing. Under UAE residency rules for family members, eligible dependents generally include a spouse, unmarried daughters, and sons under the age of 25. Sons and daughters with disabilities may be sponsored regardless of age. Sons aged 18 to 25 may be included where they are enrolled in full-time education.
Each dependent visa subject to the hold must have a remaining validity of at least three months on the date the application is submitted, as required by the GDRFA. Visas with fewer than three months of remaining validity are not eligible for the hold procedure and would require a separate renewal or re-sponsorship process before or after the employment transfer.
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Conditions and Restrictions of the Hold
The GDRFA imposes specific restrictions during the hold period that sponsors and dependents must observe.
Dependents whose visas are placed on hold must remain inside the UAE for the entire duration. Any attempt to depart while the hold is active will result in rejection at the immigration departure point, and the departure would effectively constitute a visa cancellation. Once a dependent has left the UAE, the hold can no longer protect the visa status, and a new sponsorship and entry permit process would be required upon return.
Residence visa renewal cannot be processed for dependents during the hold period. Renewal applications become available only after the hold has been cleared. Sponsors should therefore assess the remaining validity of each dependent's visa before initiating the employment transfer, to confirm that expiry will not occur within the expected hold window.
The hold is a temporary administrative measure linked directly to the sponsor's employment transfer. It cannot be extended beyond 60 days. If the new employer is unable to issue the sponsor's new residence visa within this period, the sponsor must seek guidance from the GDRFA or an authorised Amer Centre before the hold lapses.
The service is jurisdictionally limited and applies only in the emirate that originally issued the visas. A sponsor whose Dubai-based employment changes and whose family's visas were issued in Dubai must use the GDRFA Dubai. If visas were issued in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, or another emirate, the ICP customer happiness centre in that emirate is the correct authority, and procedural differences may apply.
Required Documents
The GDRFA specifies the documentation required to submit a hold request. All documents must be presented in original form at an authorised Amer Centre in Dubai.
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Step-by-Step Process
Step 1 — Obtain Labour Card Cancellation Documents
The employment transfer begins with the cancellation of the sponsor's labour card and employment visa by the current employer. The employer submits the cancellation to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and issues a cancellation form confirming the end of the employment relationship. This form is a prerequisite for the hold application and must be obtained before approaching the GDRFA.
Step 2 — Secure the New Employer Offer Letter
The new employer must provide an official offer letter specifying the role, salary, and employment terms, issued through the MOHRE system. It serves as evidence that the sponsor's transition is to a confirmed position and is required by the GDRFA to determine eligibility for the hold service.
Step 3 — Submit the Hold Application at an Authorised Amer Centre
With all required documents assembled, the sponsor visits an authorised Amer Centre in Dubai to submit the application. EGSH operates as an authorised Amer Centre and processes hold applications directly through the GDRFA system. The hold request form is completed at the centre, and all original identification documents for the sponsor and each dependent are presented. The GDRFA service fee of AED 141 per dependent and the refundable security deposit of AED 2,500 per dependent are paid at the time of submission. The GDRFA processes the hold immediately, and each dependent's visa is placed on hold in the immigration system.
For families planning their overall immigration expenditure, the article on family visa costs in Dubai provides a full breakdown of fees applicable at each stage of the sponsorship cycle.
Step 4 — Await New Visa Issuance
Once the hold is in place, the sponsor's new employer proceeds with the UAE residence visa process: labour contract, medical examination, Emirates ID, and visa stamping. This process must be completed within the 60-day hold window. The sponsor's residence visa renewal under the new employer is coordinated by the new employer or its PRO team. Dependents remain lawful residents of the UAE throughout this period, provided they do not travel outside the country.
Step 5 — Remove the Hold and Reactivate Dependent Visas
Once the sponsor's new employment residence visa is stamped, the sponsor returns to the same Amer Centre to remove the hold. The new visa and Emirates ID are presented as evidence that the sponsorship basis has been re-established. The GDRFA updates the immigration system, the hold is cleared, and each dependent's visa is reactivated. The refundable security deposit of AED 2,500 per dependent is returned to the sponsor in accordance with GDRFA procedures.
Following reactivation, the sponsor should ensure that each dependent's visa renewal is scheduled in advance of the expiry date. The spouse and children visa renewal service at EGSH covers the full renewal process to maintain uninterrupted residency status.
Consequences of Not Using the Hold Service
When a sponsor changes employment without activating the hold service, the cancellation of the employment visa directly triggers the cancellation of all dependent visas. Under UAE residence visa rules, dependents whose residence visas are cancelled enter a grace period, during which they must either exit the UAE or obtain a new sponsorship basis.
Overstay fines are charged at AED 25 per day per dependent after the grace period expires, according to GDRFA published rates. For families with multiple dependents, these costs accumulate rapidly. Overstaying also creates complications in subsequent visa applications for the affected family members.
If overstay has already occurred before the sponsor can arrange new sponsorship, all outstanding fines must be settled before a new residence visa application can proceed. Sponsors should therefore evaluate the expected timeline of their employment transfer in advance and activate the hold service before the cancellation of the employment visa wherever possible.
Sponsors whose dependents have already undergone a change of entry status inside the UAE during a transition may require a visa status change procedure to regularise their position.
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Distinction from Residence Visa Cancellation
The hold service is not the same as visa cancellation. Cancellation permanently removes the visa record from the immigration system and ends the dependent's residence status. The hold, by contrast, is a temporary administrative suspension that preserves the visa record and legal resident status throughout the employment transition.
This distinction matters for school enrolment, health insurance continuity, and employment permits held by adult dependents under their own category. All of these require active residence status. Dependents whose visas are on hold retain their status as UAE residents and are not required to exit and re-enter the UAE or reapply for entry permits during the hold period.
Medical Fitness and Emirates ID Requirements When a New Visa Procedure Is Required
If the hold service is not used and dependents must undergo a fresh visa procedure following the sponsor's employment transfer, certain steps become mandatory. Dependents aged 18 and above are required to pass a medical fitness examination at an approved health centre as a condition of any new residence visa application. This requirement applies regardless of whether the dependent previously held a valid UAE residence visa.
The medical fitness test is a prerequisite for visa issuance and must be completed at a facility approved by the relevant health authority. Results are typically issued within one to two working days and cover the standard health screenings required by immigration regulations. Dependents who do not pass the assessment are not eligible for visa issuance.
Emirates ID services must also be completed for each dependent as part of any new visa procedure. Biometric enrolment is required for applicants aged 15 and above. Emirates ID registration is handled by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and is mandatory for all UAE residents.
Family Visa Holding and the Golden Visa
Dependents sponsored under a UAE Golden Visa operate under a different framework. Golden Visa holders who change employment or investment activity do not necessarily need to cancel their sponsor visa in the same manner as standard employment visa holders. The Golden Visa is not directly tied to a single employer and typically remains valid independently of the holder's employment status during its validity period.
As a result, dependents sponsored under a Golden Visa are generally not exposed to the same risk of automatic cancellation when the holder changes employment. For families covered by the Family Golden Visa, the sponsorship basis remains linked to the investor or talent qualification underpinning the main visa, rather than to a specific employer's cancellation process.
Sponsors currently on a standard employment visa who are considering longer-term residency stability for their families may wish to review whether they meet the eligibility requirements for the Golden Visa. The Golden Visa provides ten-year residency for the sponsor and dependents without exposure to employment-transition visa risk. A comprehensive overview of UAE residence visa types and their respective sponsorship frameworks is available for further reference.
Role of EGSH in the Family Visa Holding Process
Emirates Government Services Hub (EGSH) is an authorised Real Estate Registration Trustee Centre and Amer Centre operating under the Dubai Land Department and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai. The family visa holding service is available at EGSH through its Amer Centre division. Sponsors can submit hold requests in compliance with GDRFA requirements and have each dependent's visa placed on hold in the immigration system within a single visit.
At EGSH, sponsors present all required documents, pay the applicable service fee and security deposit, and have the hold processed through official GDRFA channels. Once the new employment visa is issued, the hold removal is also handled at EGSH, and the refundable deposit is managed in accordance with GDRFA procedures. The centre additionally assists with the broader family sponsorship cycle, including dependent visa applications, renewal coordination, and medical fitness arrangements.
Sponsors considering the full scope of family sponsorship requirements can find additional detail in family visa sponsorship in Dubai. That article sets out salary thresholds, eligible dependent categories, and the documentation applicable to each sponsorship type.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum period for which dependent visas can be placed on hold in Dubai?
The GDRFA caps the family visa hold period at 60 days from the date of activation, as set out in GDRFA Dubai procedures. The sponsor's new employer must complete the employment visa issuance within this window. If the process extends beyond 60 days, the sponsor should consult the GDRFA or the Amer Centre for available options before the hold lapses.
Can dependents travel outside the UAE while their visas are on hold?
No. Dependents are required to remain inside the UAE throughout the entire hold period. Departure from the UAE while the hold is active is not permitted. Any attempt to travel will be blocked at the departure point, and the dependent's visa status will be adversely affected.
What documents does the sponsor need to submit a family visa hold request?
The GDRFA requires the labour card cancellation form from the current employer, the new employer's official offer letter specifying the role and salary issued through MOHRE, original passports and Emirates IDs of the sponsor and all dependents, and the dependents' residence visas showing at least three months of remaining validity.
How much is the security deposit for the family visa hold service in Dubai?
According to the GDRFA Dubai hold service page, the refundable security deposit is AED 2,500 per dependent, and the non-refundable service fee is AED 141 per dependent. The deposit is returned to the sponsor once the hold is removed and the dependents' visas are reactivated.
Does each dependent's visa need to have at least three months of remaining validity?
Yes. The GDRFA will not accept a hold request for a dependent whose residence visa has fewer than three months of remaining validity on the date of application. Sponsors should check all dependent visa expiry dates before initiating the employment transfer.
Can the hold service be used if the sponsor is transferring from a free zone to a mainland company?
Yes. The documentation differs slightly: a free zone authority issues an end-of-service document rather than a standard MOHRE labour card cancellation form. Once this document is issued, the hold request can be submitted at an authorised Amer Centre in Dubai, and the GDRFA will place the dependent visas on hold for up to 60 days on the same terms.
What happens if the new employer cannot issue the visa within the 60-day hold period?
The sponsor should contact the Amer Centre or the GDRFA directly before the hold period expires. Options may include an extension of the hold subject to GDRFA discretion, or an alternative procedure to regularise the dependents' status. Allowing the hold period to lapse without resolution may result in the dependents' visas falling into an irregular status requiring corrective action.
Is the hold service available for visas issued outside Dubai?
No. The GDRFA Dubai hold service applies only to visas originally issued in Dubai. Dependents whose visas were issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or another emirate must use the relevant ICP customer happiness centre in that emirate. Procedures, fees, and timelines may differ between emirates.
Can a sponsor submit a hold application without an offer letter from the new employer?
No. The new employer's offer letter is a mandatory document for the hold application. The GDRFA requires it to confirm that the employment transfer is to a confirmed position. A hold request cannot be approved without a valid, MOHRE-issued offer letter.
After the hold is removed, do dependents need to undergo any additional immigration steps?
No additional entry or visa procedures are required for dependents after the hold is cleared, provided no changes to the sponsorship basis occurred during the hold period. The visa continues under its original terms and validity. If the visa is approaching expiry, the sponsor should arrange renewal before the expiry date. Further detail on renewal fees and timelines is set out in the EGSH article on family visa costs in Dubai.
Official Sources and References
The following official government authorities were referenced in the preparation of this article.
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) — Dubai immigration authority responsible for residence visas, family sponsorship, Amer Centre services, and the family visa hold procedure.
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) — Federal authority responsible for residence visas outside Dubai and Emirates ID issuance nationwide.
- UAE Official Government Portal — Official source for UAE residency rules, grace periods, and family sponsorship eligibility.
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) — Federal authority responsible for labour contracts, work permit issuance and cancellation, and MOHRE-registered offer letters required for hold service applications.
Important Notice
The information in this article reflects the procedures and fee structures published by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai and the relevant UAE federal authorities at the time of writing. Immigration regulations, fee schedules, and documentary requirements are subject to change without prior notice by the competent authorities. The procedures described apply specifically to Dubai-issued visas and may differ in other emirates. Emirates Government Services Hub (EGSH) does not issue government approvals; all residence visa decisions are made exclusively by the GDRFA, the ICP, or other relevant UAE government authorities. Sponsors and dependents are advised to verify current requirements directly with the GDRFA Dubai, an authorised Amer Centre, or the ICP prior to initiating any immigration procedure.
