Switching Visas Inside Dubai: Fees, Documents, and GDRFA Rules
This guide provides the complete status amendment process for individuals in Dubai transitioning between visa types, such as switching from a visit visa to a work visa or moving to a new employer, without departing the UAE. By completing this procedure through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), applicants activate their new entry permit while remaining continuously inside the country.
Fees and Costs for Status Amendment
GDRFA applies a fixed schedule of government administrative fees for processing a visa status amendment inside Dubai. Confirm the exact current amounts on GDRFA Dubai’s own portal before applying, since fee schedules can change.
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Status amendment fee | Dh500 |
| Knowledge Dirham | Dh10 |
| Innovation Dirham | Dh10 |
| Individual fee | Dh15 |
| Establishment fee | Dh50 |
Required Documentation for Application
Applicants must submit a specific set of official documents to GDRFA to process an in-country visa status change. According to GDRFA guidelines, the required documentation includes:
- Passport copy of the sponsored person
- Passport copy of the sponsor
- Photograph of the sponsored person
- Copy of the sponsor’s residence permit
- Copy of the cancelled entry or residence permit
- Copy of the new entry permit
Application Process and Eligibility Rules
A visa status change is necessary when an individual inside the UAE receives a new entry permit that is issued but not yet activated. This applies to individuals obtaining new employment sponsorship or transitioning to self-sponsorship. Golden Visa applicants are an exception, since that category doesn’t require a sponsor.
The status amendment step takes place after your previous visa is cancelled and once your new entry permit is issued. If your new entry permit has already been electronically stamped and activated, or if you have exited and re-entered the country on that permit, a status amendment is not required because activation occurs automatically upon entry.
The step-by-step path to change your visa status without leaving the country requires the following actions:
- Ensure your previous entry permit or residence visa is cancelled by your former sponsor or employer.
- Secure your newly issued entry permit under your new sponsor, or under self-sponsorship if moving to a Golden Visa.
- Submit the status amendment application to GDRFA to activate the new entry permit. For individuals switching to a work visa, a public relations officer at the new employer typically handles this application step.
- Complete the remaining residency steps: undergo the mandatory medical fitness test, register for your Emirates ID and biometric collection, and submit the visa for final residence stamping.
