Change visa status service is now again available in UAE. Now, the individuals are able to change their Visa status through this service. This service allows you to alter visa status without leaving country. This process normally called ‘inside country visa change’ or status change. This service would proved to be beneficial for the individuals who are anxious about visa status change. Through this service, most of the time is saved that was wasted in paperwork, waiting in airports for flights, and other travel through buses. This package made them to done this important task by staying at home.
This service was ceased by the UAE in the mid of December, 2022 due to some issues. But soon, the UAE government allowed visitors to change their visa status inside the country in July, 2023. The tourists in UAE, are eligible to alter or extend whom visa is going to end and they want to extend their visa or change visa status. No more need to leave country and then coming back, waiting long hours and to waste time and money in travelling through local drifts. Just do it inside the country.
Nothing matter, if you came on visit visa, resident visa, employment visa or any other visa type. You are eligible to change your tourist/visit visa to employment visa, student visa or any other type. If you came on visit and got job in UAE. This package will help you to alter your visa status without exiting from the country. And if your company sponsor you for long term residency in UAE. Then, you would convert your visa type from employment to residency visa type through such service. Now, it’s not remain uneasy to change visa status. You can done it through phone or laptop staying at home. Here is the complete guide in below for such purpose.
Who Can Change Their Visa Status
In UAE, visa holders can alter their visa status but they should meet the eligibility criteria. Any student, employer, tourists or Business owners need no worry, they are able to enjoy the service. But the eligibility criteria must be fulfilled by the visa holder. To be eligible you must have to meet these conditions given below here.
- Authentic and Legal Visa: You must have the valid visa if you want to change visa status. Otherwise, if you are proved to be having illegal visa. Then, there will be an action against you and you could be apprehend by the Police. It’s compulsory of having a legal, authentic and valid visa at the time of applying for status change.
- Authentic and Legal Passport: Your passport must be valid for six months from the date, you apply for status change in UAE. You must be entered into UAE with legal method or system. It is mandatory of having a legal and valid passport.
- Medical Fitness: If you are converting your current visa to employment visa, then it is mandatory of having a medically fit body. There will be a test taken by the doctors to prove your fitness and you have no any serious disease like HIV or tuberculosis etc. Thus, make sure before applying for the process about your fitness.
- Sponsorship: There will be a demand of having sponsor or support of any company or family member. And this sponsor must be valid. No any illegal sponsor will be accepted.
- Tourist/Student to Employment Visa: If you have visit visa and now you got the job and you want to convert the status. It is possible. For converting the visa status from visit to employment there will be a single demand. You must have a licensed company job and a legal work permit. Having valid job will help you to switch your status. And just like that condition you will be eligible to switch your student visa to employment visa. After completing the degree, you must find a job and then you can apply for visa status change.
- Employment to Investor Visa: For converting the visa status of any visa you must meet its conditions. For switching to investor Visa, you must have invested in any business in UAE. You must invest money into business for investor visa. By fulfilling such condition, you can convert your status to investor mode. Investor visa will allow you to invest more in UAE businesses for your better growth.
There will be different procedure for each type of Visa. And the requirements will also be vary from each other. You might stay updated and informed about the updates of Visas in UAE. You can get detailed information from immigration authorities namely the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
Required Documents For Visa Status Change
The required documents may vary for each type of Visa. As each Visa type has different eligibility criteria, requirements and process. Same to it, you will need different necessary documents for each type of visa. The necessary documents for each single type are as following.
For Tourist Visa to Employment Visa
You may prepare these important documents, If you are going to switch your current Visa to Employment Visa. These are the compulsory documents you may prepare these documents before the application.
| #Sr | Required Documents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Original passport |
| 2 | Sponsor Documents |
| 3 | Entry permit copy |
| 4 | New Application Form |
| 5 | Company trade license |
| 6 | Medical fitness test |
| 7 | Employment offer letter |
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For Student Visa to Employment Visa
If the individual was on student Visa on arrival time. After graduation and completing the degree, if you want do job in UAE. Then you must have to change status of your student Visa to Employment Visa. The required documents are as following.
| #Sr | Required Documents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Original passport |
| 2 | Employment offer letter |
| 3 | University degree certificate |
| 4 | Medical fitness report |
| 5 | Passport-sized Photos |
| 6 | University visa cancellation report |
For Employment Visa to Investor Visa
If the individual is a employment Visa holder and want to start business in UAE. The you will need an investor Visa for such purpose. Having an investor Visa allows you to do business in UAE. For this process you might need these documents
| #Sr | Required Documents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Original Passport |
| 2 | NOC (No Objection Certificate) |
| 3 | Bank statements report |
| 4 | Company License |
| 5 | Current Visa Cancellation Proof |
| 6 | Medical Fitness Test Report |
| 7 | Passport-sized Photos |
Employment Visa to Family Residency Visa
After getting married, you should have to switch your current visa status to family residency status. To prove your relationship, you should prepare your these important documents as following for status change
| #Sr | Essential Documents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Original Passport |
| 2 | Residency Visa Copy |
| 3 | Marriage Certificate |
| 4 | Sponsor’s Passport |
| 5 | Visa Cancellation Proof |
| 6 | Medical Fitness Proof |
| 7 | Passport-sized Photos |
Each category has required documents, vary from one another. You must verify your visa category from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDFRA). After you verify your Visa status type then you should apply for the further process to change visa status.
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Process for Changing the Visa Status in UAE
Changing Visa status is common for the individuals living in UAE. But how to change and what will be the process? Here is the comprehensive guide to change your Visa status of each type. You must follow these efficient, simple and easy steps to make done the task. Let’s start
Confirm the New Visa Type:–
Before you start the process, you may think about your new Visa type. You must know your needs and know that which Visa type you need. There are various type of Visas according to the various industries and fields. Here are the Visa types and their short detail.
- Student Visa: If you want to study in UAE, then you must obtain this Visa.
- Employment Visa: If you have got a secured job then you should your current visa to this type of Visa.
- Investor/Partner Visa: Started a business or invested in business then you should switch your previous Visa to this Visa type.
- Family Residence Visa: After getting married and having Childs refers you to keep this Visa. You can stay in UAE with family on this Visa.
- Golden Visa: Such Visa allows you to stay in UAE for long time. But for this visa type, you should have to proof yourself skilled, talented and Professional. As this visa is especially designed for professionals and talented people
Previous Visa Cancellation:
For new visa you must have to cancel your current visa and then you should apply for new visa. If you are cancelling your family residency Visa then you will also cancel your sponsor’s Visa. For new Visa application your previous Visa must be cancelled completely.
After the process, when visa cancellation completes. You must obtain your visa cancellation report, You will need this report in next steps of further process. You can find it at GDFRA General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. After you done this task you may take this step.
Collect all the Required and Essential Documents:
Gathering all important documents is compulsory to change visa status. You may gather all your essential documents and papers according to your new Visa type. But the common documents among each type are Original Passport, Residency Visa Copy, New Visa sponsor documents, Medically fitness report and Passport-sized photos. You may collect all of these and other essential documents related to your Visa type. After you done this then you can go to next step.
Apply for New Visa:
After preparing your required documents, you would apply for new visa. You must apply for such visa that you have decided according to your demands and needs. There are two options through which you can apply to change visa status as following.
You can apply online through the Online through Visa apply Portals. These portals allows you to apply for new Visa online, and manage your immigration data with security. ICP (Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security) and GDFRA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) are the online Visa apply websites, you can use them for such purpose.
Other one option for new Visa apply is In-Person apply in the Visa apply Departments. You can go to such departments and then can apply from such departments for new visa or to change visa status of your Visa through the person providing such service. They also provide services for Visa holders in UAE and to fulfil their other visa related needs.
After some time period of process, you will be notified about your approved Visa. Then, there will be an option to change your Visa status. You will be able to select your Visa type. You must need the required things about Visa during the selection. You must prepare yourself already. So, that you won’t face any serious situation that could be harmful for your Visa.
Fees Payment and Visa Stamping Process:
After application of your new Visa, you would have to pay Visa fee. This fee may vary for each Visa type depending on time period also. Generally, its price may fall between minimum 400 AED to maximum 1200 AED. After paying your fee you would have to wait for your Visa stamping and verification from the Immigration Authorities. This new visa will be stamped to your Passport and then you will be able to use it.
Completion of Visa status change Process:
After completing this process, you will receive your Passport with new visa. And then, you will be able use and enjoy its benefits for your residency, work or other purposes. You must collect and prepare all your essential documents that relates to your Visa type. You may need them any time so its mandatory of collecting and preparing your Visa documents and papers. This is how you, can make process easy and efficient by following this step-to-step guide. And now you have done your Visa status change procedure.
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