Can I change jobs without canceling my family visas?

Yes. You can change employers without canceling your dependents’ visas by placing them on family visa hold through an authorised Amer Centre. This prevents automatic cancellation during employment visa transfer.

What is the family visa hold period in Dubai?

The GDRFA Dubai allows dependent visas to remain on hold for a maximum of 60 days from the date of the request. The hold cannot be extended beyond this limit.

How does the family visa deposit refund work in the UAE?

The AED 5,000 refundable deposit is released after the hold is removed and the sponsor’s new residence visa is active. If the new visa is not completed within the 60-day hold period, the deposit becomes non-refundable.

How do I clear a family visa hold?

You must complete your new residence visa, including medical, Emirates ID, and visa stamping, and then visit an Amer Centre to request hold removal. Once your new visa is active in the GDRFA system, the dependent visas are reactivated.

What happens if the sponsor is changing jobs in the UAE?

When a sponsor who is changing jobs in the UAE cancels their employment visa, dependent visas must either be cancelled or placed on hold. The hold protects dependents’ legal residency until the sponsor’s new visa is issued.

Can dependents travel while their visa is on hold?

No. Dependents cannot leave the UAE until the hold is removed. Attempting to travel during the hold period will result in immigration rejection at departure.

How does family visa holding affect residence visa renewal in the UAE?

Residence visa renewal cannot be processed while the visa is on hold. Renewal becomes available only after the hold is cleared.

Where is the family visa hold processed?

The application must be submitted at an authorised Amer Centre under the Dubai immigration department (GDRFA). Visas issued in other emirates must be handled at the corresponding ICP service centres

How does family visa holding affect dependent visa status?

A dependent visa in Dubai remains legally valid but inactive in the system. Travel, renewal, and immigration services are blocked until the hold is removed.

Family Visa Holding in the UAE – Keep Your Family’s Visas Active While Changing Jobs

Name: Family Visa Holding
Brand: EGSH

Family Visa Holding Services in the UAE

Secure Visa Protection for Your Family During Employment Change

EGSH assists sponsors in placing their dependents’ residence visas on hold while transferring their own employment visa to a new employer. This service prevents dependents’ visas from being automatically canceled during the job-change process and ensures they remain legally resident in the UAE throughout the transition.

Through EGSH, applicants can submit the required cancellation documents. Our consultants coordinate the family visa-holding request through authorised immigration channels, ensure compliance with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) requirements, manage the refundable deposit, and arrange clearance once the sponsor’s new visa is issued.

Benefits of using EGSH:

Authorised AMER Centre
Processing through the official GDRFA system
Same-visit submission and handling
Transparent, government-regulated fees

Family visa-holding requests are typically processed in the same visit, according to GDRFA procedures. The hold period may remain active for up to 60 days as permitted by immigration regulations.

Secure Visa Protection for Your Family During Employment Change

Visit EGSH

Visit EGSH during working hours for immediate, queue-free service, or book your appointment online. Our consultant reviews your case and confirms your eligibility for family visa holding.

Document Verification

Submit the cancellation form, new company offer letter, and original passports and Emirates IDs. EGSH verifies compliance with GDRFA requirements and prepares the family visa-holding request.

Submission Through the GDRFA System

Your application, along with the refundable AED 5,000 deposit and applicable fees, is submitted through the official AMER/GDRFA platform. The visa is placed on hold for up to 60 days.

Clear the Hold After Your New Visa Is Issued

Once your new employment visa is stamped, return to EGSH to remove the hold. The dependent visas are reactivated, and the deposit is refunded according to GDRFA rules.

Visit EGSH for VIP Service Without Queues

You can stop by EGSH during working hours without an appointment or book your visit at a time that suits you best.

Address
Art of Living Mall, Al Barsha 2, Dubai

Operating hours
Monday–Saturday: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am–12:00 pm; 2:00 pm–5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Call +971 4 612 1810 WhatsApp

Offer Letter From the New Employer

A valid job offer specifying the sponsor’s new position and salary, required by GDRFA to confirm eligibility for placing dependent visas on hold.

Original Identification Documents

Original passports and Emirates IDs of the sponsor and all dependents. Each dependent’s residence visa must have at least three months of remaining validity.

GDRFA Hold Requirements and Fees

The applicant must submit a refundable AED 5,000 deposit and pay the government fee. The holding period must not exceed 60 days from the hold date.

Cancellation Documents From the Current Employer

Labour card cancellation form and any related cancellation documents issued by the existing employer.

Take a 3D Tour of EGSH

VIP Service

Personal assistance and priority processing with no queues.

Affordable Fees

Official government rates with transparent, fixed pricing.

All Services in One Place

Comprehensive range of UAE government services under one roof.

One-Visit Completion

Most procedures are completed in a single visit to the centre.

What Is Family Visa Holding in the UAE

Family visa holding is a GDRFA service that allows a sponsor to keep dependents’ residence visas legally valid while the sponsor’s own employment visa is being cancelled and replaced by a new employer’s visa. Typically, cancelling an employment visa automatically triggers the cancellation of all dependent visas. The holding service prevents cancellation by placing each dependent’s visa in a temporary inactive state within the GDRFA system.

Throughout the hold period, dependents remain lawful residents of the UAE. Their visas stay active in the immigration system, but all travel and immigration transactions are temporarily restricted. The hold is used only during a sponsor’s employment transfer and remains in place until the sponsor receives a new residence visa under the new employer.

Legal Basis for Family Visa Holding in Dubai

Family visa holding is governed by GDRFA Dubai residency regulations, which specify the conditions under which a dependent’s visa may be placed on hold and the limits of the service.

The service may only be requested in the same emirate that issued the original residence visas. Dubai-issued visas must be processed through the GDRFA Dubai and authorised Amer Centres, while visas issued in other emirates fall under the jurisdiction of their respective ICP service centres.

Under GDRFA rules, a dependent’s visa must have at least three months of remaining validity on the date of the request, and the visa may remain on hold for a maximum of 60 days. Dependents must remain inside the UAE for the duration of the hold, as travel and immigration procedures are not permitted until the hold is removed.

To activate the hold, the GDRFA requires the sponsor to pay a refundable security deposit of AED 5,000. The deposit is refunded once the sponsor’s new residence visa is issued and the hold is cleared. If the sponsor does not complete the visa transfer within the 60-day period, the hold lapses automatically, and the deposit becomes non-refundable under GDRFA policy.

For dependents of Golden Visa holders, the GDRFA does not require a security deposit when placing the visas on hold.

When UAE Family Visa Suspension Is Required

Family visa holding is required when a sponsor must cancel an existing employment visa and transfer to a new employer, but needs to keep dependents’ residence visas active during this period. The GDRFA permits the hold only in cases where the sponsor is undergoing an employment visa change, and the dependent visas would otherwise be cancelled automatically.

The service is typically used in situations involving job termination, resignation, or transfers between mainland and free zone companies. It is also required when dependents must remain in the UAE and cannot exit the country during the sponsor’s visa transition. Some dependents may not require a hold depending on their visa validity and the applicable MOHRE or GDRFA rules at the time of the sponsor’s employment transfer.

Family sponsorship cases may require a police clearance certificate in the UAE.

Required Documents for a Family Visa Hold in the UAE

To request a family visa hold, the sponsor must provide the documents required by the GDRFA Dubai.

Labour Cancellation Documents. The labour card cancellation form and any required supporting cancellation papers issued by the current employer.
New Employment Offer Letter. A valid job offer from the new employer confirming the sponsor’s upcoming employment transfer, issued through the official MOHRE system.
Original Identification Documents. Original passports and Emirates ID cards of the sponsor and all dependents whose visas will be placed on hold.
Valid Residence Visas. Dependents’ residence visas showing a remaining validity of at least three months on the date of application, as required for submitting the hold request.

All documents must be submitted in person at an authorised Amer Centre in Dubai, such as EGSH.

Long-term family residency requires a valid child residence visa in the UAE.

How the Family Visa Hold Procedure Works

The family visa hold is applied after the sponsor begins the cancellation of the existing employment visa and before the new visa is issued. The procedure follows the standard GDRFA sequence and differs slightly depending on whether the employment transfer is between two mainland companies or between a free zone entity and a mainland employer.

Mainland to Mainland Employment Transfer

When a sponsor moves from one mainland employer to another, the existing employer must first cancel the labour card. Once the cancellation has been processed, the sponsor may visit an authorised Amer Centre to request the family visa hold. The application is submitted together with the labour cancellation documents, the new employer’s offer letter, and the original identification documents of the sponsor and dependents.

After submission and payment of the applicable deposit and fees, GDRFA places each dependent’s visa on hold in the system for up to 60 days. During this period, the sponsor’s new employer completes the residence visa procedure. When the new visa is issued and stamped, the sponsor returns to the Amer Centre to remove the hold and reactivate the dependents’ visas.

Free Zone to Mainland or Mainland to Free Zone Transfer

If the sponsor is transferring between a free zone company and a mainland entity, the sequence remains similar, but the cancellation documents differ. Free zone authorities issue an end-of-service or equivalent cancellation document instead of a labour card cancellation. Once this document is issued, the sponsor may request the family visa hold at an authorised Amer Centre in Dubai.

The GDRFA will place the dependent visas on hold for a maximum of 60 days once the required documents and fees have been submitted. The hold remains active until the sponsor’s new residence visa—whether issued through the GDRFA or a free zone authority—is approved and stamped. After the new visa is active, the sponsor must return to clear the hold to reinstate the dependent’s visas.

Official Fees for Temporary Family Visa Hold in the UAE

The cost of placing dependent visas on hold is determined by the official Amer Centre fees applied through the GDRFA Dubai system. For each family visa hold request processed through EGSH, the following charges apply:

Refundable security deposit: AED 5,000

Required for activating the hold. The deposit is refunded once the sponsor’s new residence visa is issued and the hold is cleared within the allowed time.

IBAN verification fee: AED 100 per dependent

Required for processing the refund to the sponsor’s UAE bank account.

Total fee for one dependent: from AED 5,275, including deposit, IBAN fee, and standard Amer system charges.

If the hold is not removed within the 60-day limit, the deposit becomes non-refundable per the GDRFA rules.

Common Issues and Delays When You Hold a Family Visa in Dubai Immigration

Delays commonly occur when the sponsor begins the family visa hold process before the labour cancellation is completed correctly. If the cancellation record contains errors or has not yet been approved, the GDRFA will not accept the hold request.

Applications are also delayed or rejected when the new employer’s offer letter is issued incorrectly—for example, without the job title, salary details, or the required approval status in the MOHRE system. The GDRFA will not place dependent visas on hold unless the new sponsorship process is formally underway.

The GDRFA rejects hold requests when any dependent’s residence visa has less than three months of remaining validity, or when the sponsor attempts to apply in an emirate different from the one that issued the visas.

Holds may also fail if dependents exit the UAE during the hold period, as travel is not permitted until the hold is removed. If the sponsor does not complete the new residence visa within 60 days, the hold automatically expires in the GDRFA system, and the AED 5,000 deposit becomes non-refundable.

Explained by

Amna Issa Abbas

AMER Consultant at EGSH

Amna Issa Abbas is a dedicated AMER centre service provider with two years of proven experience in delivering immigration and customer services, supporting clients, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Employment Visa

Apply for a UAE employment visa through EGSH.

From AED 79

Visa Cancellation

Cancel your UAE residency visa with EGSH.

From AED 186

Residence Visa Stamping

Get your UAE residence visa stamped or issued digitally through EGSH.

From AED 436

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Frequently Asked Questions About Family Visa Holding in Dubai

Still have any questions?

We are extremely pleased with the excellent visa services provided by EGSH in Dubai. From start to finish, their team demonstrated professionalism, efficiency, and deep expertise in handling visa applications for our workforce.

Ms. Zara Moshiri is extremely professional, patient, and supportive. She provided clear and thorough guidance and took the time to answer all my questions. I truly appreciate her help and highly recommend working with her.

Outstanding Service and Professionalism My wife and I recently applied for and obtained our 5-year Golden Visa (Retiree) in an exceptionally short time — mine in three days and my wife’s in just one day. We are extremely satisfied with the service provided by EGSH Emirates Government Service Hub.

Exceptional service every step of the way For showing your great example of services Remarkable dedication of consultant mrs Maria Garcia regalado. Thank you EGSH service Hub team

Amazing service! They went above and beyond to assist and resolved my concern there and then! Highly recommended anyone to visit this centre, the ladies are very helpful

Went there for a consulting. Booked an appointment in advance thro their website. Came early — no line — which is good. Very pleasant interior. My consultant Rachel, was polite. Answered all my questions. Can’t judge regarding the process once applied for an exact service, but consulting went well.

This trustee office is remarkably quiet, and it is unquestionably the finest I have experienced in Dubai. Umama Azeem was an absolute pleasure to work with; she ensured that all documentation and formalities were thoroughly prepared prior to the arrival of both the buyer and the seller. As a result, the transaction itself was completed within approximately ten minutes. For anyone uncertain about which trustee office to choose among the many available options, this is undoubtedly the correct choice. My sincere thanks to Umama Azeem for her exceptional assistance.

Amazing support and communication during the whole process. Rachel, Yara and Maria were super well organized and assisted in record time. We finished the whole process from star to end in 4 business days for 10 year Golden Visa!

I had an excellent experience with the wonderful help of Maria Claudia Garcia. Her professionalism and attention to detail made the whole process easy.

They are really very amazing very kind I was having problem with my residency and my license miss Zara and miss Amna they really help me from start to end and they are really very kind and professional highly recommend if any wants to setup there business go with egsh and thanks miss Zara 🙏 you are really very amazing person

I had a pleasure being assistanced by Ms. Natalia today and her support throughout the process. Everything was smooth, super professional, efficient and high level service was exceptional. Highly recommended for anyone looking for reliable and smooth government-related services.

I had such a great experience with EGSH (Emirates Government Services Hub)! Everything went super smoothly, and the team was really helpful. A big shout‑out to Ms. Zara Moshiri—she was kind and supportive the whole way through. Truly appreciate it!

Super quick and efficient service. Maria was available via WhatsApp and responded very quickly to all messages.

I got a delightful service from them to upgrade my visa category half of the expected timeline. Compared with my previous place, this the best and I would like to recommend any of visa service for all of you. * reasonable fair (I was asked twice my previous what I paid). * fast service and delivering before timeline. * Authentic service. Thank you so much Maria for your dedicated service.!

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Hello, My Name is Kelvin it was my first time to hear EGSH Emirates Govt from my sponsor. I was assisted By Mrs Maria Claudia Garcia the experience was amazing from the beginning to the End she has been supporting and guiding me through all the process. I am grateful to her and the entire team for the help. I trust and believe EGSH is a place to recommend to family members and friends.

A very hassle free experience from EGSH. Special mention of Ms.Zara who was most helpfull. Her quick response to queries and swift action are much appeciated.

We had the pleasure of being assisted by the lovely Ms Maria and Ms Randa. They were clear concise and super professional throughout our whole process of renewing our Ejari and business licence. Maria provided continued support while we were waiting for our business Ejari to come through and made it a simple seamless process. I can’t thank these lovely ladies enough. We saved so much money going direct and it was refreshing knowing we are not over paying going through a PRO or typing service company that add so many fees. I saved over 6000aed just for reference. Thank you to EGSH staff. Especially Maria & Randa 🙏

EGSH in art of living is the best Hub center for every thing that you want in dubai Specially Ms.ZARA MOSHIRI is the advisor and assistance and she is beside you in every step Thank you Ms.ZARA MOSHIRI and EGSH

I recently visited this institution had an exceptional experience! Ms. Maria Claudia took the time to understand my needs and preferences. I really appreciate her support and services.

Good morning, I needed to apply for the Golden Visa and went to this EGSH Emirates office. I was very impressed by their facilities and the peaceful atmosphere. We were fortunate to be assisted by María Claudia García, who provided exceptional service. She advised and helped us every step of the way, guiding us through the entire process until we obtained the Golden Visa. Honestly, people with this level of professionalism and personal touch make one feel more at ease and integrated into this country. Thank you!

I would like to express my appreciation to Ray from EGSH for his outstanding assistance in handling the transfer of our property at Rove Hotel. He was very helpful, accommodating, and patient throughout the entire process, from addressing transaction concerns and verifying documents to the actual property transfer and ensuring the new owner received the title deed…

I worked with Amir and Zara, they took care of everything, I only had to send the mandatory information. In a very short time, everything was completed. I was amazed, considering how difficult it had seemed before. Not to mention, the fees were the same or even lower than those of the other companies I mentioned. For me, it was a 10/10 experience, the quickest and smoothest process someone could have in this journey. Strongly recommend them.

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THE BEST!!! Zara you are as always star

Thanks to EGSH and to Zara for Excellent service — professional, attentive, and truly pleasant experience. Highly recommended!

Had an amazing service for the transfer of property there, specially Rachel Rahmat she was very helpfull throughout the process, looking forward to work more.

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