UAE Residents Changing Jobs Can Put Family Visas on Hold Within Same Emirate

UAE residents transferring between employers can place the residency visas of sponsored family members on hold rather than cancelling and reissuing them, Emirates 24|7 reported. According to Raluca Gatina, Partner and Legal Director at Elnaggar & Partners, the procedure allows sponsors to cancel their existing employment permit while keeping dependants' files active during the transition. However, Sirajudeen Ummer, Manager of Galaxy Digital Business Services, stated that the service is only available if the individual switches jobs within the same emirate, as family files cannot be transferred or held across different emirates.

Putting family visas on hold involves paying a refundable warranty deposit of AED 5,000, alongside government administration fees of approximately AED 214, with additional service charges applicable if processed via typing centres. Both experts emphasized that sponsors are granted a strict 60-day deadline from the date the hold is placed to complete their employment visa transfer and regularise their status, failing which the security deposit is forfeited.

For visas issued in Dubai, applications are submitted via the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website or mobile app. Gatina noted that required documentation includes the sponsor's visa cancellation form, an official offer letter from the new employer specifying salary and profession, at least three months of remaining validity on dependants' visas, original passports, and original Emirates IDs for both sponsor and dependants.

In all other emirates, the service is administered through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). According to Ummer, required submissions include copies of the sponsor's passport, residency visa, Emirates ID, labour card cancellation, new offer letter detailing the new employer's immigration establishment card number and company name, along with copies of all dependants' identification and visa credentials. Once the new visa is secured, sponsors must file for the release of the hold and claim their deposit refund with proof of payment.