Transfer of UAE residence visa to new passport
As a UAE resident, there are a few things you need to keep in mind regarding your personal documents and visa information. If your passport has expired and you apply for a new one from your respective government body in the UAE, you will have to transfer your UAE residency visa to the renewal. Read on to find out how the transfer of UAE residence visa to a new passport works.
Disclaimer: UAE Residency Visas will no longer be stamped/issued onto passport pages. Emirates ID cards have now officially replaced residency visa stickers on UAE passports. The new Emirates ID came into effect on April 11, 2022. Emirates ID and visa applications can also now be submitted in tandem instead of separately as was the case before.
Transfer of UAE residence visa to new passport
Expats who apply for new passports are not required to have their residence visas transferred from their old passports to the new ones. But if you would prefer to travel with a single passport instead of carrying the older one too, as proof of your residence visa, you can always have the visa transferred to the new passport. In the case of sponsored employment, the process is handled by the company’s HR department. But it is still a good idea to know the steps involved.
Where do I apply for the transfer?
Those who wish to transfer the UAE visa to a new passport can do so in the following ways:
- If you are in Dubai, you can transfer your residence visa from the old passport to the updated one via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Amer centres.
- In other emirates, you will need to apply for the service through the ICA or Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
Steps for UAE residence visa transfer to new passport
Step One: Apply for visa transfer in the UAE
The first step towards applying for the transfer of the UAE residence visa to a new passport is filling out a form via these resources.
- At a typing centre
- At an ICA or Amer centre near you
- Online through the website of the GDRFA
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR UAE RESIDENCY VISA TRANSFER TO A NEW PASSPORT
To apply successfully, you will need these documents.
- Coloured photograph (passport size)
- Copy of your old and new passport
- Original Emirates ID of the sponsor
Those on company-sponsored visas will have to present some additional documents.
- Copy of the trade licence/ licence number
- Immigration establishment card
- Immigration password and user ID of the company
A company-sponsored employee who has lost their passport with the UAE residence visa on it needs to present a letter confirming they have registered the loss with the police along with the mentioned documents.
Step 2: Payment
Making the necessary payments is the next step for the successful transfer of a UAE residence visa to a new passport. The amount may vary based on your emirate.
For a better idea of what you may be expected to pay, contact or visit the Amer centres in Dubai or use the GDRFA customer service helpline.
- GDRFA Customer Services: +971-800-5111
The normal process may take three to four working days to come through. For urgent services, applicants are required to visit their nearest immigration office where they can have their visas stamped immediately.
Step 3: Contacting courier services
After the fee has been paid, you will receive a text from the immigration authorities as well as an email. The approval will also include an airway bill number, to be provided to the courier service you plan to use.
Next, contact the concerned courier services to request for your passport to be picked up at a specific time and date from your location. If your visa is issued in Dubai you can also contact Zajel services. For visas that are issued in other emirates, you can contact Empost.
After both passports are picked by the service, they will be processed and returned to you. This includes the new passport with the transferred residence visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I visit Dubai from another country?
Planning a trip to the emirate? Read up on our guide to Dubai tourist visas. Check out which permit applies to your requirements before booking the next flight.
How do I check my Dubai visa status?
If you have applied for a new visa, you can also check your UAE visa status online. Want to bring your family over? Learn more about the family visa before you apply.
Apart from this, you can also learn about other processes such as how the UAE visa cancellation works.
The steps in the transfer of UAE residence visa to new passport might be a bit complex for those who haven’t gone through them before. So, if you’d rather have someone else handle the process for you, contact any of the passport and visa services in the UAE.
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