Applying for a visa in Dubai? In certain cases, you not only need to pay visa processing fees but can also be asked for a security deposit, also referred to as a warranty deposit.
What is this situation and how much do you need to deposit? This is what you need to know about security deposits for Dubai visas.
Sponsoring dependents when you are on a partner or investor visa
An investor visa or partner is issued for business owners and investors in the UAE. This is valid for three years and allows visa holders to sponsor family members and domestic workers.
If your type of visa is ‘partner/investor’, you need to pay a DH1,500 deposit for each depending on you, according to Sirajudeen Ummer, Business Development Manager at Supreme Business Services.
The deposit is made during the visa application and can be done at the typing center or Amer center.
Parent sponsoring students over 21 years
In some cases where parents sponsor kids on the student visa, where children over the age of 21, sponsors may be asked to make a DH2,500 deposit.
Parent’s visa
When applying for your parents’ visa, you can once again be asked to pay a DH2,000 deposit, per parent.
In some cases, depending on the profession or appointment of sponsors, he may be asked to make a deposit. This is not always necessary, and the decision is taken based on case-cases by authority.
Housekeeper’s visa
While applying for the worker’s visa, you may again need to make a deposit of Dh2,000 if you are sponsoring a domestic worker.
How can one make the deposit?
Deposits are made at the time of filing for the dependent’s visa, which can be done at an Amer center or a typing center.
Cash or a credit card can be used to pay for the deposit. You will receive a receipt confirming the deposit amount once you have made the deposit.
When applying for a refund, you must submit the deposit receipt, so keeping it in a safe place is essential.
When the visa is canceled, the security deposit is returned to the sponsors.
You are required to provide your IBAN number along with other details when you apply for the dependent visa. This information will be entered into the system as part of your sponsor file.
When a visa is revoked, the immigration department uses the IBAN number to return the security deposit sum to the sponsor.
Once you have applied for visa cancellation, you will have a grace period of 28 days. During this time, you can visit an Amer center to apply for a refund.
To visit the Amer center, you must submit a deposit receipt.
Following that, the amount will be refunded to your account, according to the IBAN number on your sponsor file.
Sponsors who lose their deposit receipt must email the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) at the following address – amer@gdrfad.gov.ae
The following information must be included in the email:
– Passport and visa copy of the sponsor
– Passport and visa copy of dependents on your sponsorship
– Written request for ‘deposit acknowledgment’.
The sponsor will then receive recognition or receipt of deposits from GDRFA, which can be used to request a refund. There is no fee charged for this service, according to Munpurwala.