Whether you have a resident visa that is good for one year, two years, three years, or longer, it’s critical to understand how to renew it.
Here is a comprehensive list of the procedures you must adhere to.
When should one renew the visa?
An expired resident visa may only be renewed within 30 days of the expiration date. However, you must first obtain special permission and approval from the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner’s Affairs (GDRFA) in the emirate that issued your visa if you need to renew it a few months sooner (one to six months) for travel-related reasons. The official UAE government website, u.ae, states this.
Step 1 – Fill in the Emirates ID application
You must obtain your Emirates ID application typed as your initial duty. You can either do this online at icp.gov.ae, the website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), or you can go to any authorized typing center in the UAE and have a public relations officer (PRO) or representative finish the process on your behalf. You will incur additional service fees for the typing center if you select the second option.
Required documents
Keep the following documentation on hand to prevent delays in renewing your Emirates ID:
- A recent color photograph
- Passport front and back pages
- Copy of a residence visa
- Front and back copies of an old Emirates ID card
Cost
The cost of renewing your Emirates ID depends on how long your Emirates ID is valid, according to Amer, a facility that handles immigration applications on behalf of Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA):
- Dh195 – for one year
- Dh295 – for two years
- Dh395 – for three years
How long will the process take?
The ICP website states that the process of issuing an Emirates ID can take up to five days. The Emirates ID application will be sent to the ICP for printing once that is finished and approved. You will be notified by email and SMS when it is printed. The Emirates Post office in your neighborhood will then let you pick up your ID.
You can use the ICP app to view a digital version of the Emirates ID while you wait for the actual Emirates ID card to arrive in the mail.
Also Read: New visa rules in the UAE – Everything so far
Step 2: Take the medical fitness test
After submitting an application for an Emirates ID, you must pass a medical fitness examination.
For all UAE citizens under the age of 18, a medical fitness test must be completed before their visas can be renewed. In order to assure that UAE citizens are free of any communicable diseases including HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and TB, according to u.ae, a medical fitness test is carried out (Tuberculosis).
You must visit a medical fitness center run by the government to take the medical exam. Depending on the Emirate that issued your visa, you may need to visit various health authorities:
Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Abu Dhabi Health Services Company
Dubai – Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Medical Fitness Centres
Medical Examination Centers for the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain
Required documents
Regardless of where you apply, you will need the following documents:
- Valid Passport copy
- Valid Emirates ID copy
- Colored photograph with white background
- Depending on the Emirate you apply in, you might also need to preserve a copy of your Emirates ID application form.
Cost
The standard cost for a medical fitness test is Dh250.
How long does the process take?
Your results for the medical fitness test will be sent to you through email and SMS once you finish it at the center. The medical fitness certificate will also be delivered to you by courier, per MOHAP. For the renewal of a resident visa, a medical fitness test is required.
Step 3: Renew your residence permit
The Emirates ID cards have taken the place of residence visa stickers as the principal form of verification of residency in the UAE, according to a May 16 announcement by ICP.
You can proceed to apply for your residence visa renewal once you have received your medical fitness certificate through courier.
The permit can be renewed online or at a registered typing facility. The registered courier service will pick up your passport from the address you supplied if you completed the process online. If the procedure is finished at the immigration center, you can turn in your passport at the center’s kiosk for the courier service.
Documents
For the residence visa renewal, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A recent color photograph with a white background
- Passport copy
- Medical fitness certificate
- Emirates ID application
- Medical Insurance or Health Card.
Cost:
According to ICP, these are the fees for renewing your residence visa:
- Application Fees: Dh50
- Issuance fees: Dh100
- ICP service fees: Dh50
Step 4: Collect your renewed Emirates ID and passport copy
Once your visa application has been approved, you will receive your passport along with the visa sticker if your visa was issued in Dubai. You will receive this through the authorized courier service.
Your Emirates ID will also be sent to an Emirates Post Office location, where you must pick it up.
