Renewing Your UAE Residence Visa

Researched from official sources ยท March 8, 2026

Renewing Your UAE Residence Visa

Estimated time

1-2 weeks

Cost

ุฏ.ุฅ500-3500

Before you start

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Passport-size photographs (white background, 2 copies)
  • Updated employment contract or salary certificate
  • Health insurance card or proof of coverage (mandatory in Abu Dhabi, increasingly required in Dubai)

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Check Your Visa Expiry and Identify the Right Authority

    1. If your visa was issued in Dubai, renew through GDRFA Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae or the GDRFA app); for any other emirate, renew through ICP (icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP smart app)
    2. Check expiry on the passport visa page or in the ICP UAEICP / GDRFA app
    3. Begin renewal 2-4 weeks before expiry
    4. For employer-sponsored visas, inform your company's PRO

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: After the grace period (up to 6 months depending on your resident category, per u.ae), overstay fines of AED 50/day apply under the 2024 standardised rate. Confirm the grace window for your specific visa category and set a calendar reminder well before expiry.

  2. 2

    Complete the Medical Fitness Test

    1. Visit a government-approved medical center
    2. Blood test (HIV, Hepatitis B/C, tuberculosis screening)
    3. Chest X-ray
    4. Results in 24-48 hours, sent electronically to GDRFA

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Arrive before 9 AM to avoid queues. Test takes 15-30 minutes but waiting adds 1-2 hours.

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Say:

    ุฃุฑูŠุฏ ูุญุต ุงู„ู„ูŠุงู‚ุฉ ุงู„ุทุจูŠุฉ ู„ุชุฌุฏูŠุฏ ุงู„ุฅู‚ุงู…ุฉ

    ureed fahs al-liyaqa al-tibbiyya li-tajdeed al-iqama

    "I want a medical fitness test for visa renewal."

    ๐Ÿ“‹ Use when: Registering at the medical fitness center

  3. 3

    Submit Your Renewal Application

    1. Employer-handled: provide PRO with updated passport copies, medical confirmation, new photos
    2. Self-handled: visit typing center or apply through GDRFA app

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: If passport has fewer than 6 months validity, GDRFA rejects renewal. Renew passport first at your embassy.

    ๐Ÿ’ฌ Say:

    ุฃุฑูŠุฏ ุชุฌุฏูŠุฏ ุชุฃุดูŠุฑุฉ ุงู„ุฅู‚ุงู…ุฉ

    ureed tajdeed ta'sheerat al-iqama

    "I want to renew my residence visa."

    ๐Ÿ“‹ Use when: Visiting a typing center for visa renewal

  4. 4

    Submit Your Passport for Visa Stamping

    1. After approval (SMS notification), submit original passport
    2. Through company PRO, typing center, or GDRFA service center
    3. Stamping takes 3-7 business days

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Make copies of all important passport pages before submitting โ€” you may need them for ID while passport is being processed.

  5. 5

    Collect Your Passport and Updated Emirates ID

    1. Collect passport, verify new visa stamp dates and details
    2. Emirates ID usually renewed automatically with visa
    3. New card sent to typing center

Costs

Fee Amount Payment Notes
Visa renewal application (ICP federal or GDRFA Dubai) ุฏ.ุฅ500-1100 Card, cash, or online through GDRFA app (Dubai) or UAEICP app (other emirates) Varies by visa type and issuing authority: employment visa ~AED 500, investor/partner visa ~AED 1100, dependent visa ~AED 500. Check current fee at application time on icp.gov.ae or gdrfad.gov.ae
Medical fitness test ุฏ.ุฅ270-350 Card or cash at medical center Blood test + chest X-ray. Results in 24-48 hours
Emirates ID renewal ุฏ.ุฅ270-370 Card or cash at typing center Usually processed alongside visa renewal. Fee depends on validity period
Typing center service charge ุฏ.ุฅ100-200 Card or cash For form filling, document submission, and status change
Visa stamping (passport stamp) ุฏ.ุฅ100 Card or cash Fee for the physical visa stamp in your passport
Overstay fine (if applicable) ุฏ.ุฅ50/day (after grace period) Must be cleared before renewal Per u.ae 2024 standardisation reform: overstay fees for visit, tourist, and residence visas have been standardised at AED 50 per day. UAE residents have flexible grace periods of up to 6 months according to resident category before overstay accrues
Visa renewal application (ICP federal or GDRFA Dubai) ุฏ.ุฅ500-1100
Payment:
Card, cash, or online through GDRFA app (Dubai) or UAEICP app (other emirates)
Notes:
Varies by visa type and issuing authority: employment visa ~AED 500, investor/partner visa ~AED 1100, dependent visa ~AED 500. Check current fee at application time on icp.gov.ae or gdrfad.gov.ae
Medical fitness test ุฏ.ุฅ270-350
Payment:
Card or cash at medical center
Notes:
Blood test + chest X-ray. Results in 24-48 hours
Emirates ID renewal ุฏ.ุฅ270-370
Payment:
Card or cash at typing center
Notes:
Usually processed alongside visa renewal. Fee depends on validity period
Typing center service charge ุฏ.ุฅ100-200
Payment:
Card or cash
Notes:
For form filling, document submission, and status change
Visa stamping (passport stamp) ุฏ.ุฅ100
Payment:
Card or cash
Notes:
Fee for the physical visa stamp in your passport
Overstay fine (if applicable) ุฏ.ุฅ50/day (after grace period)
Payment:
Must be cleared before renewal
Notes:
Per u.ae 2024 standardisation reform: overstay fees for visit, tourist, and residence visas have been standardised at AED 50 per day. UAE residents have flexible grace periods of up to 6 months according to resident category before overstay accrues
Total: Total: ุฏ.ุฅ1200-2200 (standard, no overstay fines)

FAQ

General

Can I renew my visa if my employer is doing it?

For employment visas, your employer's PRO typically handles the entire renewal process. Your role is to complete the medical fitness test, provide updated documents (passport, photos), and possibly submit your passport for stamping. Your PRO will inform you of each step and when you need to be available. If your company has an in-house PRO, the process is usually smoother and faster.

What happens if I overstay my visa?

Per u.ae, UAE residents are granted flexible grace periods of up to 6 months โ€” varying by resident category โ€” to remain in the country after the residence permit has been cancelled or expired. After the grace period applicable to your category, the 2024 standardisation reform sets overstay fees at AED 50 per day for visit, tourist, and residence visas. Fines accumulate and must be cleared before you can renew or exit. Start the renewal well before the expiry date and confirm the grace window that applies to your specific visa category before relying on it.

Can I travel while my visa is being renewed?

Generally no โ€” your passport is often held by the immigration authority during visa stamping (3-7 days). If you must travel during the renewal process, inform your PRO in advance. Some travelers obtain a re-entry permit, but this adds complexity and cost. Plan to stay in the UAE during the 1-2 week renewal process.

After This Process

  • โ†’ Update records โ€” inform bank, insurance, government registrations
  • โ†’ Emirates ID โ€” collect new card and update ICP app
  • โ†’ Health insurance โ€” verify coverage for new visa period
  • โ†’ Set reminder โ€” 30 days before next expiry

Sources

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6 sources cited last accessed 2026-05-06

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  1. T1
    UAE Government Portal (u.ae) 2026-05-06

    Your sponsor must renew your residence visa before it expires. UAE residents are granted longer flexible grace periods that reach up to 6 months (according to resident category) to stay in the country after the residence permit is cancelled or expired. If there is a need to renew your residence visa a few months earlier (one to six months) for travelling reasons, you must first take special permission and approval from ICP. A renewed visa will let you continue living legally in the UAE without incurring fines or facing legal consequences. Visit, tourist and residence visa overstaying fees have standardised at AED 50 per day.

    u.ae
  2. T1
    UAE Government Portal (u.ae) 2026-05-06

    Foreign nationals need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB. All resident expatriates while renewing their residence visas have to undergo TB screening. Nursery workers, domestic workers, food handlers, salon / beauty centre workers, and health club workers must additionally test negative for syphilis and Hepatitis B. Female domestic workers must test negative for pregnancy.

    u.ae
  3. T1
    UAE Government Portal (u.ae) 2026-05-06

    The Golden Visa is a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for 5 or 10 years depending on the category. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) administers Golden Visa services. Eligibility includes investors (10 years for public investments, 5 years for real estate; minimum capital of AED 2 million), entrepreneurs (5 years), exceptional talent (10 years; doctors, scientists, inventors, creatives in culture and arts, executives, athletes, PhD holders), outstanding students (5-10 years), and humanitarian pioneers / Frontline Heroes (10 years).

    u.ae
  4. T1
    Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) 2026-05-06

    Golden Residency offers automatic renewal as a key benefit. Validity is 5 to 10 years depending on category (entrepreneurs and real estate investors receive 5 years; investors in public investments and exceptional talents receive 10 years).

    icp.gov.ae
  5. T1
    Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) 2026-05-06

    ICP services include Golden Residency, Blue Residency, Green Residency, and Issuing Residency Permit, listed as online services. Contact: 171 (inside UAE) or +971 600 522 222 (outside UAE).

    icp.gov.ae
  6. T1
    General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) 2026-05-06

    GDRFA Dubai operates a Residency Services directory and Customer Happiness Centres; Dubai-issued residence visas are administered through GDRFA rather than the federal ICP.

    gdrfad.gov.ae
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