Visas & Emirates ID
Tourist, employment, Golden Visa, renewals, overstays.
Signed by: Sarah Al Qasimi (Lead Editor). Fact-checked by the full editorial team.
How long does the Emirates ID take to arrive?
Standard Emirates ID takes 5–10 working days after biometrics are submitted at an ICA centre or authorised typing office. Express service costs AED 150–200 extra and delivers in 1–3 working days. The card is delivered by Emirates Post to your registered address. Track via the ICA app or SMS updates.
Source: ICA Emirates IDCan I hold multiple UAE visas simultaneously?
No — only one active residence visa is permitted at a time. You must cancel any existing residence visa before a new one can be issued. Exceptions are rare: some investor visa holders with employment in a free zone may hold both under specific GDRFA guidance. Tourist entry stamps are separate and not classed as residence visas.
Source: GDRFA DubaiHow much property do I need to buy to get a Golden Visa?
AED 2,000,000 minimum in completed (ready) property, fully paid. Alternatively, AED 1,000,000+ in mortgaged property with at least 60% loan-to-value paid off. The property must be in a freehold area and registered in your name at the Dubai Land Department. Joint ownership is allowed if your share meets the threshold.
Source: GDRFA Golden VisaHow do I extend my tourist visa in Dubai?
Apply via the GDRFA Dubai app or website at least 30 days before expiry. Cost is AED 600–1,000 for a 30-day extension, renewable once. If you wait until the final days, fines may be added. A second extension may require an exit and re-entry. Some nationalities have 90-day multiple-entry on arrival — check your passport country rules.
Source: GDRFA Visa ExtensionWhat happens if I overstay my visa in Dubai?
An AED 50 per day fine accumulates from day one of overstay with a AED 100 entry fee on top. You cannot depart until fines are settled at the airport. Overstaying beyond 6 months may result in a travel ban lasting 1–5 years. There is no amnesty programme currently running. Pay at GDRFA Dubai or the airport immigration desk.
Source: GDRFA Overstay FinesCan I work in Dubai on a tourist visa?
No. Working on a tourist or visit visa is illegal and can result in immediate deportation and a ban. Your employer also faces a fine of AED 50,000 per illegal worker. Some nationalities can apply for a 90-day 'job seeker visa' to job hunt — but this does not permit actual employment until a proper work visa is issued.
Can I change my visa status without leaving the UAE?
Yes for many nationalities — a 'status change' costs AED 750–1,500 and avoids an exit. Not all nationalities qualify; some must exit to Oman or another country and re-enter. Your employer or PRO handles this at ICA. Check with a registered typing office — requirements change by nationality and visa type.
Source: ICA Status ChangeWhat does the medical fitness test involve for a UAE visa?
A chest X-ray (TB screen) plus blood tests for HIV and Hepatitis B and C. Cost is AED 320 standard, AED 750 express. You attend an approved DHA or MOHAP centre with your passport. Results are uploaded directly to ICA — you do not handle a paper report. HIV-positive or active TB results lead to visa refusal.
Source: DHA Medical FitnessWhat is the difference between a Green Visa and an employment visa?
Green Visa is a 5-year self-sponsored residence visa for freelancers, skilled workers, and investors with no employer needed. Employment Visa is 2–3 years, tied to an employer who can cancel it if you leave the job (with a 60-day grace period). Green Visa gives more independence but requires proof of income or a freelance licence.
Source: ICA Green VisaHow do I sponsor my parents to live in Dubai?
You need a minimum monthly salary of AED 20,000 plus suitable housing. Provide salary certificate, tenancy contract, Emirates ID, and proof of relationship. Parents get a 1-year renewable residence visa. Private health insurance for parents is mandatory and can cost AED 8,000–20,000 per year due to age loading.
Source: GDRFA Family SponsorshipHow much does a domestic helper visa cost in Dubai?
AED 12,000–30,000 all-in for the first year via a Tadbeer centre, including recruitment fee, visa, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, and 2-year contract. Renewal years cost AED 5,000–8,000. Sponsors need a minimum salary of AED 6,000 and suitable housing. Direct hire (without Tadbeer) is possible but legally complex.
Source: MOHRE Domestic WorkersHow long do I have after my visa is cancelled before I must leave?
Under UAE Federal Decree 33 of 2021, the standard grace period is 60 days from the date of visa cancellation. During this period you are legally present in the UAE. Overstaying the grace period triggers the standard AED 50 per day fine. You can use this time to job hunt, transfer sponsorship, or arrange exit.
Source: MOHRE Labour Law