Visa Renewal · Dubai & UAE

Visa Renewal in UAE: Residence Visa Renewal for Employees, Investors and Families

Trust Avyanco to renew your UAE residence visa. From the passport to health insurance, application submission, Emirates ID and the sponsor's documents, we manage the requirements and coordinate submissions through the relevant authorities.

  • 11,500+ businesses supported
  • DET licence #909402
  • GDRFA and ICP filings handled
30 to 60Days before expiry to start preparing
2 daysProcessing after the medical fitness test
AED 1,250Approximate government cost, varies by visa type, emirate and tenure
AED 50Overstay fine per day after the grace period
Overview

How visa renewal works and when to start

Visa renewal in the UAE is a fresh application rather than a simple extension of the expiry date. It involves an evaluation of your eligibility, active health insurance, coverage and legal standing before approval. Visas issued in Dubai go through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Visas issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain are processed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).

Whether the sponsor is a company, a corporate employer or an individual family sponsor, the renewal request comes first. You can apply for the renewal from around 60 days before the residence visa expires. We suggest starting the workflow 30 to 60 days before expiry, to avoid last-minute delays, leave enough time for the medical clearance and protect against overstay penalties.

Individual applicants can manage a standalone request through the GDRFA digital channels, but corporate and multi-applicant filings need stricter checks, and the authority may ask for document attestations or physical applications through authorised Amer centres. We identify the correct authority, prepare the application and coordinate the submission.

Watch: what a UAE free zone is, in 35 seconds

Dubai visas: GDRFADigital channels and Amer centres
Other emirates: ICPAbu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah and UAQ
Why renew on time

Renew before the visa expires

A renewal is a fresh application with its own medical test and Emirates ID update, so timing decides whether you pay fines.

01 · TIMING

Start 30 to 60 days before expiry

Starting early leaves time for the medical clearance, document queries and health insurance renewal, and protects against overstay penalties. A renewal is a fresh application, so your eligibility, active health insurance, coverage and legal standing are checked before approval. The standard sequence is below.

Health insuranceSTEP 1
Medical fitness testSTEP 2
Emirates ID applicationSTEP 3
Residence visa applicationSTEP 4
02 · FINES
AED 50

Overstay fine per day

Payable every day if you do not renew or cancel the visa within the grace period, so a late renewal adds up quickly.

03 · GRACE PERIOD
30+

Days of grace

From 30 days for most categories to 180 days for Golden, Green and Blue Residence holders.

04 · EMIRATES ID
30

Days before a late fine

Delaying the Emirates ID renewal beyond 30 days after the visa expires incurs its own fine.

05 · MEDICAL TEST
18+

Applicants take a medical test

Screening for HIV and tuberculosis at DHA centres in Dubai or EHS centres in other emirates.

Visa types

Renewal for every visa type

EMP

Employment visa

Companies renew the visas of employees whose work visa is expiring soon. The process updates employment records and renews the residency permits. We help identify missing records before filing.

Renewed byEmployer
Employment recordsMOHRE
Filed throughGDRFA or ICP
  • Renewed or extended employment contract
  • Current MOHRE labour card
  • Employer's trade license and establishment card
  • WPS payroll records and HR confirmation
Grace period

Grace period, overstay fines and what can block renewal

The UAE authorities set a grace period during which applicants can renew their visa status or complete the visa cancellation. The unified grace period allowance applies to the groups below.

UAE residence visa grace period after expiry, by residence category
Grace periodWho it applies to
180 daysGolden, Green and Blue Residence holders and their family members, widows or divorced women of residents, students after completing studies, and foreign-passport relatives of UAE citizens
90 daysSkilled workers in levels 1 to 3 and property owners
60 daysResidence permits issued with a guarantor or host
30 daysAll other categories

You may pay overstay fines of AED 50 per day if you do not renew or cancel your visa within the grace period.

If renewing your UAE residence visa does not fit your plans, you can go ahead with the visa cancellation process with Avyanco.

Costs

Visa renewal cost in Dubai

Understanding the visa renewal cost in Dubai helps you stay within budget. Costs depend on the emirate and visa type. The government fee schedule lists an application fee of AED 100, a residence permit renewal fee of AED 100 per year and a smart service fee of AED 100. The examples below show the estimated GDRFA charges for two-year renewals, before insurance and service fees.

Estimated two-year visa renewal charges in Dubai for an employee, an investor and a spouse, in AED
Renewal expenseExample 1Employee (AED)Example 2Investor (AED)Example 2Spouse (AED)
Residence permit renewal and listed GDRFA charges740740740
Emirates ID renewal for two years300300300
Standard medical fitness test270270270
Work permit renewal (illustrative fee)250Not includedNot included
Estimated total before insurance and service fees1,5601,3101,310

Employee: AED 740 + 300 + 270 + 250 = AED 1,560, assuming a MOHRE work permit renewal fee of AED 250. Investor and spouse renewing together from inside Dubai: AED 1,310 + AED 1,310 = AED 2,620. The total renewal fees also include the labour contract costs, insurance and any service charges. Tell us your visa category, expiry date, emirate and number of applicants, and we prepare a quote with professional fees and government charges shown separately. For wider immigration and documentation support, see our PRO services.

Renewal steps

Six steps to renew your UAE residence visa

We follow an organised application process to renew your residence visa and avoid delays and errors. The standard sequence is health insurance, medical fitness test, Emirates ID application and residence visa application.

  1. 1

    Review the expiry date and eligibility

    We check your existing residence permit, eligibility requirements, sponsor details and passport validity. We flag document issues or outstanding fines that may affect the renewal application.

  2. 2

    Review health insurance

    We check that your health insurance is valid and meets the emirate's requirements. If a correction or renewal is needed, we arrange it before the application stage.

  3. 3

    Renew employment authorisation

    Where applicable, we coordinate with the employer to renew the work permit and labour contract through MOHRE or the relevant process, and check that company records meet the requirements.

  4. 4

    Medical fitness test

    Applicants take the medical fitness test at an authorised centre. The age threshold, exemptions and test requirements vary with the application rules and category.

  5. 5

    Submit the Emirates ID and residence application

    After medical screening, the required documents go in through the GDRFA or ICP channel. We also coordinate during Emirates ID processing.

  6. 6

    Receive the renewed records

    On approval, the updated digital residence permit and Emirates ID are issued. We review the resulting records and the remaining steps, if any.

Your Emirates ID links to your fileAfter the medical test passes, your Emirates ID application links to your immigration file.
Online or through a centreIndividual applicants can use the GDRFA digital channels. Corporate and multi-applicant filings need stricter checks and may go through authorised Amer centres.
Why Avyanco

One partner-led team, start to finish

Licence, bank account, visas and tax handled by one named advisor, with government fees and our fee always shown separately.

11,500+Businesses formedMainland · Free Zone · Offshore
45+Free ZonesRAKEZ · IFZA · DMCC · DIFC · KEZAD
21+Years' advisory experiencePartner-led firm, founded 2020
4.8★Client rating745 verified Google reviews
Client stories
“We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.”
Nikhil NadangaGoogle review · May 2026
What's included

What we handle for your visa renewal

Navigate visa renewals with expert support. We simplify the renewal process, and professional fees and government charges are always quoted separately.

Placeholder image for UAE visa renewal support
Reminders before you are finedWe provide timely reminders and updates, so a renewal never slips past the grace period.
  • Eligibility and document guidance
  • Emirates ID and medical test bookings
  • Expiry tracking and reminders

Eligibility & documents

  • Residence permit, sponsor and passport validity review
  • Document preparation and checking
  • Missing records identified before filing
  • Outstanding fines flagged early

Insurance, medical & Emirates ID

  • Health insurance validity check and renewal
  • Medical fitness test booking
  • Emirates ID renewal coordination
  • Renewed records reviewed on receipt

Filing & follow-up

  • Submission through GDRFA or ICP
  • Employment renewal coordination through MOHRE
  • Bulk renewals for company staff
  • Visa cancellation if renewal does not fit
Documents

Visa renewal documents in the UAE, by category

The documents depend on the sponsor, emirate, applicant and residence category. Start with the list every renewal needs, then add the documents for your category.

7 documents
  • Current passport with at least 6 months' remaining validity
  • Existing UAE residence visa copy
  • Current Emirates ID copy
  • Recent passport-size photograph
  • Valid health insurance policy meeting the emirate's requirements
  • Medical fitness test results
  • Proof of residential address
Placeholder image for the UAE visa renewal document checklist
We review before we fileWe identify missing records before the application is submitted
Your case may differAsk us which documents and payments apply to your visa category
FAQ

Questions about renewing a UAE visa

Can’t find your answer?

A senior advisor replies within one business day.

How early can I start visa renewal in the UAE?

We recommend starting 30 to 60 days before expiry. That leaves enough time for medical screening, document queries and health insurance renewal.

Can I complete residence visa renewal in Dubai online?

Yes. You can renew residence visas in Dubai online through official government portals such as GDRFA Dubai, or with UAE PASS verification. The medical test is booked separately through DHA.

Do I need a new medical test every time?

Yes. A medical test is needed for a residence visa renewal, including family visas and work visas.

Are Emirates ID and visa renewal done together?

Yes. The Emirates ID and the residence permit are renewed through a linked application. You submit the Emirates ID application with the medical clearance to the authorities.

What does partner visa renewal in Dubai require if my company license is about to expire?

You may need to extend the trade license before renewing the visa. A partner visa renewal also requires an active commercial license that lists your shareholding, a medical fitness certificate and valid health insurance. If you need help with the setup side, see our business setup in Dubai services.

Can I renew my visa while outside the UAE?

No. You cannot renew a standard UAE residence visa from outside the country. Renewal involves a medical fitness test and an Emirates ID update, so you need to be in the UAE. Other categories have different rules, and our advisors can explain them.

What happens if my residence visa has already expired?

An expired visa is treated as an overstay and attracts a fine, but you are not fined immediately. Many UAE residence permits include a grace period after expiry, from 30 to 180 days depending on the category, as set out in the table above. Overstay may also complicate your future UAE visa applications.

Can a company renew all staff visas in one batch?

Yes. Companies can renew the visas of all staff in one batch through the MOHRE and GDRFA portals. Avyanco handles bulk corporate renewals, tracks the individual deadlines and keeps the workforce compliant.

Start today

Start your visa renewal in the UAE.

Don't wait for the visa to expire or disrupt your business. Tell us your visa category, expiry date, emirate and the number of applicants, and our PRO experts manage the renewal schedule smoothly, accurately and on time. No obligation.

  • Eligibility and expiry checked before you apply
  • Professional fees and government charges quoted separately
  • Medical test, Emirates ID and filing coordinated end to end
Talk to Pritesh, head of operationsTypically replies within one business day
DET licence #909402FTA-registered tax agents11,500+ businessesFixed fee · no hidden costs

Confidential · No obligation · We never share your details

Sources: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · Dubai Health Authority (DHA) · Emirates Health Services (EHS) · Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) · UAE PASS.

Verification & independence: Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is a private firm, independent of GDRFA, ICP and every other UAE authority, and not affiliated with any UAE government agency. Fees, grace periods, fines, medical requirements and processing times are set by the relevant authorities, vary by visa category, emirate and case, and change over time. This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm your position with the authority, or with us, before acting.