In short
A status change lets someone who is already in the UAE, on a visit or tourist visa or a cancelled residence, start a new residence visa without leaving the country. Two conditions come first: a new entry permit must be issued for the new visa, and any previous residence permit must be cancelled. In Dubai, GDRFA charges AED 500 for the status amendment plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham, and lists 48 hours to complete it. After that the normal residence steps follow: medical test from age 18, Emirates ID fingerprints from age 15, and residence issued within 60 days of entry.
Who can change visa status inside the UAE
Status change is for people who are already in the country and now have a sponsor for residence: a visitor whose spouse or parent is sponsoring them, a tourist who has been offered a job, or a resident whose visa was cancelled and who is moving to a new sponsor. It does not replace the new visa itself. The sponsor first gets a new entry permit for the person, and the status amendment then links that permit to them while they stay in the UAE.
Status change requirements
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| New entry permit | Issued for the new visa (family, work or another residence type) |
| Previous permit | Any previous residence permit cancelled first (GDRFA condition) |
| Sponsored person | Passport copy and a copy of the cancelled entry or residence permit |
| Sponsor | Passport copy and residence permit copy |
| GDRFA Dubai fee | AED 500 status amendment + AED 10 Knowledge Dirham + AED 10 Innovation Dirham. GDRFA also notes an AED 15 individual fee (AED 50 for establishments) |
| ICP fee (other emirates) | AED 500 change of status, listed with the residence permit fees |
| Processing | 48 hours (GDRFA Dubai) |
| After the change | Medical test from 18, Emirates ID fingerprints from 15 |
How to change your visa status, step by step
- Free check. Send us the passport and current visa page on WhatsApp. We check the visa's expiry date and any overstay first.
- New entry permit. The sponsor applies for the new visa. For a family member, that is the family visa file; for a job, the employer applies.
- Cancel the old residence. If the person held a residence visa, it must be cancelled before the status change. See visa cancellation.
- Status amendment. We submit it to GDRFA Dubai online or at an Amer centre, or to ICP in the other emirates, and pay the fee.
- Medical and Emirates ID. Applicants aged 18 or over take the medical test; those aged 15 or over give fingerprints. See Emirates ID and medical test.
- Residence issued. The residence visa is issued and linked to the Emirates ID.
Status change timeline
| Stage | When it happens |
|---|---|
| Current visit visa | Keep it valid until the status change is done; we check the dates first |
| New entry permit | Issued to the sponsor, then the status change is filed |
| Status amendment | 48 hours at GDRFA Dubai once the file is complete |
| Residence procedures | ICP requires them to be completed within 60 days of entry |
| Medical result | Usually within 24 hours in Dubai (dubai.ae) |
Bringing family? The same route works for a spouse visa or a child visa when they are already here on a visit. Already a resident and just extending? That is family visa renewal, not a status change.
Official sources: GDRFA Dubai: status amendment · ICP: issuing residency permit
Ready to start? Send your documents on WhatsApp to +971 52 505 3494. We check them before anything is submitted, and the first consultation is free.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change from a visit visa to a residence visa without leaving the UAE?
Yes, once a new entry permit has been issued for the residence visa. The status amendment then links that permit to you while you stay in the country.
How much does a status change cost in Dubai?
GDRFA Dubai lists AED 500 for the status amendment plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham, with a note of AED 15 for individual applications. ICP lists AED 500 for a change of status in the other emirates. The new visa, medical test and Emirates ID are charged separately.
Do I need to cancel my old visa first?
Yes, if you held a residence permit. GDRFA requires the previous residence permit to be cancelled and a new visa to be issued before the status amendment.
What documents are needed?
Passport copies of the sponsored person and the sponsor, a copy of the sponsor's residence permit, and copies of the cancelled entry or residence permit and the new entry permit.
How long does a status change take?
GDRFA Dubai lists 48 hours once the file is complete. The medical test, Emirates ID and residence issuance follow after it.
How long do I have to finish the residence after a status change?
ICP requires residence procedures to be completed within 60 days of entry, so we check the dates on your permits before we file.
Can my wife and children change status too?
Yes. If they are in the UAE on visit visas, the sponsor applies for their family entry permits and we change their status inside the country.