Visit to Residence Visa Status Change

A status amendment (visit → residence visa) is required when an individual holding a visit or entry permit becomes eligible for a new sponsor, for instance, due to securing employment, family sponsorship, or investor status—and needs to convert their visa without leaving the UAE. A change of the visit visa to a residence visa in Dubai is also mandatory if a new entry permit has been issued under new sponsorship and the previous permit (visit or entry) has been or will be cancelled, so that the residence visa stamping can proceed. The applicant must apply before the current permit expires or during any applicable grace period to avoid penalties.

Dubai’s GDRFA offers the Status Amendment service, which allows in-country conversion from a visit or entry permit to a residence visa under a new sponsor. You can complete the procedure through digital channels (GDRFA online/innovative application) or via AMER Centres. All required documents, including the medical fitness test, insurance, Emirates ID registration, and sponsor approvals, must be provided.

In many straightforward cases, once all documents are submitted correctly, the visa status change may be finalised in 1–2 working days. However, this depends on the case complexity, and whether medical fitness, insurance, Emirates ID verification or sponsor documentation are entirely in order. If any documents are missing or invalid, or if supplementary approvals are required, the process may take longer. EGSH provides professional assistance with preparing and submitting your application for a visit visa conversion, as well as verifying your documents to help avoid mistakes and delays.

According to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai, the official fee for a visa status amendment is AED 500, in addition to AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham. A file opening fee also applies— AED 15 for an individual file or AED 50 for an establishment file. Applicants should also budget for mandatory related services for an in-country visa change in the UAE, which are separate from the status amendment fee, including: Medical fitness test (required for all new residence visas, fees vary by category and emirate). Emirates ID issuance and biometrics are charged by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP). Health insurance, which must be valid in Dubai, is required for the issuance of a residence visa. EGSH provides applicants with a comprehensive breakdown of the applicable government charges before submission.

Applications for a change of visa status in the UAE can be submitted via the GDRFA innovative services platforms, including the official website and smartphone app. Applicants must log in using their UAE Pass, complete the form, and pay the required fees. However, there is a risk of errors in data entry or incomplete document submission with online applications, which may lead to delays or rejection. Submitting applications through EGSH, an authorised AMER centre, ensures professional verification and direct filing.

Under UAE immigration regulations, a person who remains in the country after the expiry of a visit or entry permit is considered an overstayer and is subject to a fine of AED 50 per day. The visit to residence visa status change can only be processed if the applicant holds a valid new entry permit issued by the sponsor, and the previous permit has been cancelled. If the application is submitted after the expiry, all outstanding fines for overstay must be settled through the GDRFA system before the status amendment request can be accepted. For this reason, it is mandatory to apply for a visa status change before your permit expires or during the official grace period provided by the authorities.