Dubai: Have you quit your job, and are you looking to remain in Dubai under a residence visa? It’s possible through a visa status change, also known as a status amendment in Dubai.Here’s everything you need to know about who is eligible for this process, and how to apply.What is a visa status change?A service offered by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA), and known as status amendment, the visa status change allows a sponsored individual’s visa type to be amended from an employment visa to a residence visa.The same service feature also applies when you’re moving between other types of visas, such as a tourist or visit visa to a work visa.Musa Dayani, a Dubai-based public relations officer, explained that anyone “can apply for a change of visa status in Dubai, as long as they are moving to a sponsored visa or a self-sponsored residence visa, such as a Golden Visa".In what situations is the visa status change necessary?According to the Emirates Government Services Hub, a government services centre based in Dubai, the visa status change becomes required in the following cases:The individual, who is already in the UAE, has obtained new sponsorship: For instance, an individual who was on a virtual work visa in Dubai, has received a job offer in the city and is in the process of moving to an employer-sponsored residence visa. Dayani shared an exception: “In cases where the person is eligible to receive a Golden Visa, there is no need for any sponsor.”The individual’s entry or residence permit has been issued for the new sponsor, and the old permit has been cancelled (or will be cancelled) before the residence visa stamping procedure: According to Dayani, it’s important to note that the individual’s new entry permit must be issued, but “not yet activated”. If their new entry permit has already been electronically stamped and activated, or if the individual has exited and re-entered the UAE on the new entry permit, a status amendment is not required. In such cases, activation occurs automatically upon entry or electronic stamping.When do I complete the visa status change process?In the UAE residence visa process, the status amendment step occurs after your previous visa has been cancelled and once your new entry permit has been issued.After you complete the visa status change, you can continue with the rest of the steps to acquire a residence visa: complete the mandatory medical fitness test, register for your Emirates ID and biometric collection, and submit your visa for stamping.Can the visa status change occur without the person leaving the country?Through the status amendment process, the UAE permits individuals to remain in the country for the entire duration of their visa transition.Dayani added that the visa “can be converted inside Dubai, without the person leaving the UAE”. The status amendment essentially activates the new entry permit, allowing the individual to continue their residency in the country.However, applicants must follow through on all official processes to obtain their new visa, and ensure they complete all formalities involved, such as their medical fitness test and Emirates ID registration.According to Dayani, after your previous work permit and the associated visa has been cancelled, the new entry permit (issued under employer sponsorship or as self-sponsorship, if you become a Golden Visa holder) must be activated by changing the work visa status to a residence visa. This step is necessary for obtaining a residence visa stamp, and is processed by the GDRFA.Documents requiredIn order to process your visa status amendment, you require the following documents, according to GDRFA:Passport copy of the sponsored personPassport copy of the sponsorPhotograph of the sponsored personCopy of the sponsor's residence permitCopy of the cancelled entry or residence permitCopy of the new entry permitWhat is the cost of the visa status change?According to the GDRFA, here is the fee schedule for a status amendment:Status amendment fee: Dh500Knowledge Dirham: Dh10Innovation Dirham: Dh10Individual fee: Dh15Establishment fee: Dh50How to apply for status amendmentIf you are switching to a work visa, a public relations officer at your new place of employment can assist you with the entire process. However, if you are switching to a self-sponsored residence visa, you can apply for the visa status change in person, at Amer Centres in Dubai, which are government authorised service hubs, or online via the GDRFA’s website or smart app.Follow the steps below to apply through any of these channels.Apply via the GDRFA website:Visit gdrfad.gov.ae and log in with your UAE PASS.Navigate to ‘Services’ and in the search bar, search for ‘Status Amendment’. Select ‘Start Service’.Fill in the application data, including your personal details and passport information.Upload the required documents.Pay the service fees.The processing time is 48 hours, and you will receive a notification via SMS and your registered email address.Apply via the GDRFA app:Download the GDRFA smart app, which is known as GDRFA DXB on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.Open the app and log in with your UAE PASS.Navigate to ‘Residency services’ and tap on ‘Status Amendment’.Fill in your personal information and verify your contact details.Upload the required documents.Pay the service fees.In a period of 48 hours, you will receive a notification via SMS and your registered email address about the completed process.Apply in-person via an Amer Centre:If you would like to apply in person, visit an Amer Centre in Dubai. You can find a list of service centre locations here: amer247.com/contact.Visit a conveniently located Amer Centre. Take a ticket and wait for your turn.Speak to an agent and request a visa status change.The agent will collect your documents and assist you with filling in your details in the application form.You will receive an application tracking number, and will be notified via SMS within 48 hours, upon the completion of the process.
