How long does the residence visa renewal take, according to GDRFA?

According to the official GDRFA guidelines, the standard processing time for a residence visa renewal in Dubai is 48 hours after submission of complete and correct documentation. Delays may occur if documentation is incomplete or requires additional verification. EGSH ensures timely submission and follows up directly with GDRFA to facilitate prompt processing. During long-term residency procedures, authorities may request a police clearance certificate to confirm good conduct.

When should I apply for a residence visa extension in the UAE?

The standard renewal period begins 30 days before the visa expiry date. However, early visa renewal — up to 6 months in advance — is possible in the UAE in some instances, subject to prior approval from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). EGSH verifies eligibility for early submission and ensures the application is filed within the legally permitted timeframe to avoid delays or penalties. If residency is not being extended, UAE residence visa cancellation must be completed.

What happens if my residence visa expires in Dubai?

After visa expiry, a grace period applies depending on the visa category. If the visa is not renewed within the grace period, overstay fines of AED 50 per day begin accruing. Extended overstay may result in Emirates ID invalidation, blocked services, travel bans and difficulties obtaining future visas.

What documents are needed for residence visa renewal in Dubai?

All applicants must provide a valid passport with at least six months' validity, a copy of the current residence visa, a valid Emirates ID or renewal receipt, a recent photograph meeting GDRFA standards and a medical fitness certificate for applicants aged 18 and above. Additional documents are required depending on the visa category: a salary certificate for employees, a trade licence for business owners, a title deed for investors, or an Ejari tenancy contract for family sponsors.

How long does residence visa renewal take in Dubai?

Standard processing time is 2–5 working days from the date of complete submission through GDRFA Dubai. Delays may occur if documentation is incomplete, the medical fitness test results are pending or additional verification is required by GDRFA.

Does an employer need to renew the work permit before the visa renewal?

Yes. For private-sector employees, the employer must renew the MOHRE work permit before the residence visa renewal application can be submitted through GDRFA. The work permit renewal fee ranges from AED 250 to AED 3,450 depending on the company's MOHRE classification.

Is a medical fitness test required for visa renewal?

Yes. A medical fitness test is mandatory for all renewal applicants aged 18 and above. The test must be completed at a DHA-approved centre, and the results are transmitted electronically to GDRFA before the renewal application can be processed.

Do I need to renew my Emirates ID when renewing my residence visa?

Yes. The Emirates ID validity is linked to the residence visa period, and both must be renewed together. The Emirates ID renewal is submitted through ICP, with a base fee of AED 100 per year of visa validity. A late renewal penalty of AED 20 per day applies after a 30-day grace period from Emirates ID expiry, up to a maximum of AED 1,000.

Residence Visa Renewal in Dubai

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Residence Visa Renewal Services in Dubai

Government-Authorised Processing for Employees, Investors and Family Sponsors

Residence visa renewal in Dubai is administered by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). The renewal process applies to all foreign nationals holding a UAE residence visa, including employees, investors, property owners, self-sponsored residents and family sponsors. The renewal must be completed before the current visa expires to maintain lawful residency, employment rights and access to essential services.

EGSH manages the renewal procedure end-to-end as an authorised Amer Centre, from eligibility verification and document preparation through to medical fitness coordination, Emirates ID renewal, application submission and final visa issuance. All applications are processed through official GDRFA and ICP channels.

Authorised Amer Centre
VIP service without queues
Official government-regulated fees

According to GDRFA Dubai, the standard processing time for residence visa renewal is 2–5 working days from the date of complete submission, subject to document verification and medical clearance timelines.

Renew Your Residence Visa in Dubai

Officially regulated fees
No hidden charges
Queue-free service
VIP support at no extra cost

From AED 607

+971 4 612 1810

Visit EGSH

Visit EGSH during working hours or book your appointment online for queue-free consultation on your visa expiry date, eligibility and required documents.

Document Verification and Medical Test

EGSH reviews all documents against GDRFA requirements and coordinates the mandatory medical fitness test at a DHA-approved centre for applicants aged 18 and above.

Application Submission

Your renewal application is submitted through the official GDRFA Dubai system together with the Emirates ID renewal, all supporting documents and applicable government fees.

Receive Your Renewed Residence Visa

Once GDRFA approves the application, the renewed residence visa is issued digitally and the Emirates ID serves as official proof of residency status.

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–Thursday, 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

Passport and Current Visa

A valid passport with at least six months' remaining validity and a copy of the current residence visa page, with the passport remaining valid throughout the renewal processing period.

Emirates ID

A valid copy of the existing Emirates ID or the Emirates ID renewal application receipt, as the Emirates ID renewal is processed simultaneously with the visa renewal.

Medical Fitness Certificate

A medical fitness certificate issued by a Dubai Health Authority (DHA)-approved centre is mandatory for all applicants aged 18 and above, including screening for communicable diseases.

Category-Specific Documents

A salary certificate for employees, a trade licence for business owners, a title deed for investors, or an Ejari tenancy contract and DEWA bill for family sponsors, with additional documents required per visa category.

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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 Residence Visa Renewal in Dubai

A residence visa renewal is the legal procedure through which foreign nationals extend their right to reside in the UAE beyond the current visa validity period. The process is administered by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) at the federal level, in accordance with Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021 on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners.

A UAE residence visa is typically issued for one, two or three years, depending on the visa category and the sponsor type. The renewed visa is granted under the same conditions as the original issuance, and the applicant must continue to meet all eligibility criteria at the time of renewal. The process includes a mandatory medical fitness test for applicants aged 18 and above, Emirates ID renewal through ICP and the submission of category-specific documentation through GDRFA or an authorised Amer Centre.

Failure to renew the residence visa before expiry results in the loss of lawful residency status. Once the applicable grace period ends, overstay fines begin accruing. The resident may also face Emirates ID invalidation, blocked access to government services and complications with future visa applications.

Who Must Renew a Residence Visa in Dubai

Residence visa renewal is mandatory for all foreign nationals whose UAE residence permit is approaching expiry. The renewal obligation applies regardless of visa category, and the process must be initiated before the visa expiry date to avoid overstay fines and legal complications. The responsible party for initiating the renewal depends on the visa type.

Employment Visa Holders

For employees in the private sector, the employer or the company's public relations officer (PRO) initiates the renewal. The employer must first renew the work permit through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) before submitting the residence visa renewal through GDRFA Dubai or ICP. The work permit renewal fee ranges from AED 250 to AED 3,450 depending on the company's MOHRE classification. Employment visa renewal is linked to the validity of the labour contract and the employer's active establishment card.

Investor and Property Owner Visa Holders

Holders of a 2-year investor visa in Dubai or a Golden Visa for property investors manage their own renewal through GDRFA Dubai or ICP Smart Services. The renewal requires a valid title deed registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD), a property valuation meeting the applicable threshold (AED 750,000 for the standard investor visa; AED 2,000,000 for the Golden Visa), and evidence that the property conditions remain satisfied.

Family Sponsors and Dependents

The primary sponsor, typically the employed or investing family member, submits the renewal for each dependent. Family visa renewal requires that the sponsor's own residence visa remains valid, the minimum salary threshold is met, and updated tenancy (Ejari) and utility (DEWA) documentation is provided. Attested marriage or birth certificates may be required if not already on file with GDRFA.

Self-Sponsored Visa Holders

Holders of Green Visas, freelance permits and other self-sponsored categories manage their own renewal through ICP Smart Services or GDRFA Dubai. The renewal conditions mirror those of the original visa issuance, and supporting documentation must reflect continued eligibility.

For a comprehensive overview of all visa categories and their respective conditions, refer to the UAE residence visa guide.

When to Start the Renewal Process

The standard renewal window opens 30 days before the visa expiry date. Early renewal of up to six months in advance is permitted in certain cases, subject to prior approval from ICP. Applicants can verify their visa expiry date through the GDRFA Dubai portal, the GDRFAD mobile application, the ICP Smart Services portal or the DubaiNow application. A UAE visa status check can confirm the current visa validity and any outstanding fines.

Residence Visa Renewal Process — Step by Step

Step 1 — Verify Visa Expiry and Eligibility

Confirm the exact visa expiry date through the GDRFA portal or ICP Smart Services. Ensure the passport has at least six months' remaining validity and that all prerequisites for the specific visa category are in order. If early renewal is required, ICP approval must be obtained before submission.

Step 2 — Renew Work Permit (Employment Visas Only)

For private-sector employees, the employer must renew the MOHRE work permit before the residence visa renewal can proceed. The work permit renewal is submitted through the MOHRE system and must be completed before the GDRFA application is filed. The work permit fee varies by company classification.

Step 3 — Complete Medical Fitness Test

A medical fitness test is mandatory for all applicants aged 18 and above. The test screens for communicable diseases including tuberculosis and must be completed at a DHA-approved centre. Results are transmitted electronically to GDRFA. For detailed information on the medical screening procedure, refer to the medical test for visa renewal in Dubai service page.

Step 4 — Renew Emirates ID

The Emirates ID must be renewed alongside the residence visa, as the ID validity is linked to the visa period. The Emirates ID renewal in Dubai is submitted through ICP, with biometric enrolment required for applicants aged 15 and above. The Emirates ID fee is AED 100 per year of visa validity, plus an application fee of AED 40 (online) or AED 70 (typing centre).

Step 5 — Submit Renewal Application

The renewal application is submitted through one of the following channels: the GDRFA Dubai website, the GDRFAD mobile application, the ICP Smart Services portal, the DubaiNow application, or in person at an authorised Amer Centre such as EGSH. All supporting documents, the medical fitness certificate and the Emirates ID renewal must be completed before submission.

Step 6 — Receive Renewed Visa

Upon approval, the renewed residence visa is issued digitally. Since 2022, the Emirates ID serves as official proof of residence and no physical visa sticker is required. Standard processing takes 2–5 working days from complete submission. The updated Emirates ID card is delivered separately through Emirates Post or collected from an ICP service centre.

Residence Visa Renewal Fees in Dubai

The total cost of renewing a residence visa in Dubai consists of several government fee components paid to GDRFA and ICP, as well as DHA-approved medical centres. Fees vary by visa duration, visa category and the applicant's age.

According to the GDRFA, the residence renewal fee when the sponsor is an expatriate is AED 360 for a 1-year visa and AED 560 for a 3-year visa. These figures combine the residence renewal fee and applicable GDRFA surcharges but exclude separate Emirates ID and medical fitness fees.

Additional fee components include the Knowledge Dirham (AED 10), Innovation Dirham (AED 10), Emirates ID renewal (AED 100 per year of validity plus application fee), the medical fitness test (approximately AED 320–750 depending on the medical centre) and Amer Centre service charges.

All fees are government-regulated and paid through official channels. EGSH provides a full itemised cost breakdown before processing. Fees referenced on this page are current as of the date of publication and are subject to change by the relevant authorities.

Grace Period and Overstay Fines

UAE residents are granted a grace period after residence visa expiry or cancellation to regularise their status, renew the visa or exit the country. The duration of the grace period depends on the visa category and the circumstances of expiry or cancellation.

The exact grace period for each individual case is confirmed through the ICP or GDRFA portal. Holders of Golden Visas, Green Visas and certain categories including investors, retirees and skilled professionals may be granted an extended grace period of up to 180 days.

Overstay fines in the UAE are standardised at AED 50 per day for all visa types. Fines begin accruing after the applicable grace period ends. Failure to settle overstay fines may result in Emirates ID invalidation, blocked government services, travel bans and complications with future visa applications.

The Emirates ID also carries a separate late renewal penalty of AED 20 per day after a 30-day grace period from expiry, up to a maximum of AED 1,000.

Explained by

Amna Issa Abbas

Visa & AMER Services 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.

About the Expert

Emirates ID Services

Apply, renew, or replace your Emirates ID with EGSH.

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Apply for a UAE employment visa through EGSH.

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Medical Test — Renewal

Complete your medical test for visa renewal in Dubai quickly and hassle-free.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Residence Visa Renewal in Dubai

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Best service ever. Special thanks to Mirabelle — she is extremely efficient with property transfers and always makes the process smooth and hassle-free.

Big thanks to ZARA for her amazing support! She was extremely helpful when my employee approval got stuck in the Amer system. She went the extra mile to sort it out quickly. Her responsiveness made all the difference, greatly appreciated!!!

Very professional and friendly. They made the property transfer easy and smooth. Golden visa process seamless and thanks to Maya that all the staff (In particular to Maya!!!).

Zara was very helpful and professional. All the documents were submitted very fast by her and the service we received were very efficient. Highly recommend!

Natalia was very professional, she was a pleasure to deal with. Answering my questions, always responsive to phone calls and very prompt at providing updates at each stage of golden visa application which was very quick to process.

had an excellent experience with EGSH. They truly live up to their promise of one-stop government services, handling everything with efficiency and professionalism from start to finish.

I had a wonderful experience. She provided outstanding service with great professionalism and care. Everything was handled smoothly and efficiently. I truly appreciate her dedication and would definitely recommend her services to others

Zara helped to get my Ejari completed. I recommend service here

Maria Claudia garcia helped me to renew my kids Emirates id. She went the extra mile to help me and she was so efficient and her communication skills are amazing. I would recommend the ESGH Emirates government services in barsha anytime. Thank you Maria for your help

Such a great service with an amazing and friendly environment and i would like to specially thank zara for her exceptional professionalism and support.

Had a great experience at Emirates Government Service Hub. Zara Moshiri truly went above and beyond to help me with my visa. I was facing a few issues during the process, and she handled everything patiently and professionally until it was sorted. Really grateful for her support — definitely ask for her when you visit this branch.

I would like to recognize the exceptional service I received from Umida at EGSH. From the very first minute, she made me feel genuinely welcome and at ease. Navigating the documentation required for a Golden Visa can be complex, yet Umida went far beyond what is typically expected — guiding me through every requirement with clarity, professionalism, and patience.

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.

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.!

An exceptional service from Zara at EGSH. She guided us perfectly through the process and managed to get us even more than we had anticipated. A world class service center with exceptional staff. Would recommend them to anyone who wants to get sorted for government services

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.

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.

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.

Zara assisted me with my Ejari registration, and she was absolutely amazing. She demonstrated exceptional professionalism, efficiency, and delivered everything promptly. Truly a pleasure to work with!

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.

Visited for the first time for a property transfer and had an amazing experience with Jessieca! She was professional, helpful, and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended for all government services excellent customer service!

Personally, I find this the best centre in Dubai. They always go the extra mile. Especially Maria Garcia has help out so much in such an efficient way! Thank you!

Went there for ejari cancellation. Excellent place. Staff was so cooperative. Ms Maria and Ms Fatima assist me and it was a fast process.

This is probably the best government service hub in Dubai. You come in, asked to be seated, and the staff will come to you instead of standing on the reception and on queue. They will offer you tea and water are available at each table. Really embodies the Emirati hospitality and what seamstresses Dubai is known for.

I was here the morning of this post. The concierge like service with a contact person arranging for you all the difeerent interactions is making the interactuon as smooth as possible. A truly delightful experience and a true commitment to service excellence, thank you for the great experience and for the initiative to present government interactions in this way!

Outstanding service — fast, friendly, and highly professional. Thank you very much!

I’ve been here for the first time and I can say that this organization definitely worth to come here and make all proceeds with their help! We were changing the owner and such difficult process was really easy for us with your help and most of the time it was done online. So I’m very grateful to Mrs Zara and her support during all the process❤️

I had an excellent experience with Natalia Baiamonte from EGSH while getting Ejari certificate. From the very beginning, she was professional, attentive, and extremely helpful. Natalia guided me through the process clearly, answered all my questions with patience, and made task feel simple and stress-free. Highly recommend Natalia for her outstanding customer service and dedication!

We had great experience with Amal She is so helpful and awesome She stayed with us over her duty today just to finish her work Thanks Amal

I had a really good experience with EGSH (Emirates Government Services Hub). Everything went smoothly and the team was super helpful. Special thanks to Zara and Amal. they were so supportive and kind throughout the process. Really appreciate it!

I had a great experience with this office. They handle everything related to company setup, residency, Golden Visa, DLD, and more. The office is very clean, modern, and welcoming, and the staff are extremely professional and polite. A special thank to Ms. Zara for her kindness and guidance throughout the process so smoothly and professionally, and to Ms. Amal for managing the administrative registration.

Zara is the best always attentive to every requests and helping with a solving problems without delay thank you Zara❤️🌸 …

Absolutely stunning office, i am awestruck. No one can beat Dubai for the kind of hospitality you get in a government office… Its mind-blowing 😍 i wish i could give a 10 star rating (double) on 5 🤩

I had a great experience with EGHS. I was assisted by Sarah Almeida and she delivered an amazing service. Very attentive, promptly responded my messages and guided me throughout the process. It was all very smooth and done very quickly. I highly recommend and I’ll definitely use their services again.

I received really attentive and fast service from Sarah, got all the documents even earlier than promised. Thank you! 😁

One of the best people to work with. These guys are really smart and professional. Thanks to Ms Zara

Zara helped me with my services and the process was very easy and she was very helpful

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Address

Art of Living Mall, 1st Floor, Al Barsha 2, Dubai, UAE

Phone

+971 4 612 1810

info@egsh.ae

Working Hours

Disclaimer: The information on this page is current as of the date of publication and is provided for general guidance only. Government fees, processing times, eligibility criteria and procedural requirements are subject to change by the relevant authorities, including GDRFA Dubai, ICP and MOHRE. EGSH submits and processes applications through official government channels but does not issue approvals, influence authority decisions or guarantee application outcomes. Applicants are advised to verify all requirements with the relevant authority before proceeding.

Residence Visa Renewal in Dubai

Residence Visa Renewal Services in Dubai

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