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Are you Changing your Job in UAE? Here’s the Procedure How to Protect Your Family Visas
Changing jobs in the UAE can become complicated if your spouse, children or other dependants are sponsored under your residence visa. Instead of immediately cancelling their residence visas, eligible residents may be able to place their UAE family visas on hold while completing their own visa transfer.
The family visa hold process can help avoid cancelling and reapplying for dependant visas during a job change. However, there are important conditions, documents, fees and a 60-day deadline to keep in mind.
What is the UAE family visa hold process?
The family visa hold process allows a sponsor to temporarily place the residence files of sponsored family members on hold while the sponsor changes or cancels their own residence visa.
This can be useful when moving from one employer to another and you want to keep your dependants’ visa arrangements intact during the transition.
A refundable financial deposit is required for the service. According to the information published by Emirates 24|7, the facility is subject to the relevant immigration conditions.
Can you put your family visa on hold when changing jobs?
In the reported process, the service is available when the new employment visa remains within the same emirate. If the new employment visa is issued in another emirate, the family visa hold facility may not be available under the stated conditions.
Therefore, check your individual case with the relevant immigration authority before cancelling your existing visa.
Dubai family visa hold: Where can you apply?
If your residence visa was issued in Dubai, you can apply through:
- GDRFA Dubai website
- GDRFA Dubai mobile application
- An Amer service centre
The GDRFA also provides an online family-hold service for sponsored files.
For residence visas issued by other emirates, the reported channels include:
- ICP Smart Services
- UAE ICP mobile application
- An ICP-registered typing centre
- ICP Customer Happiness Centres
Documents required for Dubai family visa hold
The principal documents reported for the Dubai process include:
- Cancellation form for the sponsor’s existing visa
- New employer’s offer letter
- New job offer showing salary and profession
- Dependants’ residence visas with at least three months’ remaining validity
- Original passports of the sponsor and dependants
- Original Emirates IDs of the sponsor and dependants
- Payment of the applicable service fee
- Refundable security deposit
Because immigration requirements can change, applicants should confirm the latest document list before submitting an application.
UAE Family Visa hold Fees
| Fee | Amount |
| Refundable warranty/security deposit | AED 5,000 |
| Dubai family member visa holding fee | AED 100 per family member |
| Other-emirates government family-hold fee | Approximately AED 214 |
| Typing/Amer service charges | Additional |
The process generally follows these steps:
1. Prepare your documents
Keep your passport, Emirates ID, visa cancellation documents and new job offer ready.
2. Apply through GDRFA or Amer
You can start the process online through GDRFA Dubai or visit an Amer centre.
3. Submit the application
Provide the sponsor’s and dependants’ required documents and complete the application.
4. Pay the fees and deposit
Pay the applicable holding fee and refundable financial guarantee. Keep the payment receipt safely.
5. Complete your new UAE employment visa
Once the family visa hold is approved, proceed with your own visa transfer to the new employer.
6. Release the family visa hold
After your new residence visa is issued, apply to release the hold and request the refund of the refundable deposit. Proof of payment may be required.
What is the 60-day rule?
The 60-day deadline is one of the most important parts of the process. After placing your dependants’ visas on hold, you need to complete your own visa change process within a maximum of 60 days, according to the information reported by Emirates 24|7.
If you do not regularise your visa within the permitted period, the refundable deposit may be forfeited.
What happens after getting the new visa?
Once your new residence visa is in place:
i) Keep your payment/deposit receipt.
ii) Apply to release the family visa hold.
iii) Submit proof of the new visa where required.
iv) Request the refund of the security deposit.
v) Check that your dependants’ residence records are regularised.
For some applications outside Dubai, the reported refund process may require visiting an immigration centre.
Can I use the family visa hold if I move to another emirate?
The family visa holding arrangement is intended for a job change within the same emirate. If the new employment visa is issued in a different emirate, the holding service may not be available.
If you are moving between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or another emirate, check with the relevant immigration authority before starting the cancellation process.
Important tips before changing jobs in the UAE
- Check whether your dependants’ visas have at least three months of validity where required.
- Get the new employer’s offer letter before beginning the process.
- Confirm whether your new employment visa will be issued in the same emirate.
- Keep copies of all passports, Emirates IDs and visa documents.
- Keep the receipt for the refundable deposit.
- Do not miss the 60-day deadline.
- Confirm the latest fees with GDRFA Dubai or ICP before payment.
- Use official immigration channels or authorised service centres.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I put my family visa on hold when changing jobs in the UAE?
Eligible sponsors may be able to place their dependants’ residence files on hold while changing their own employment visa, subject to immigration conditions.
2. How much is the family visa hold deposit in the UAE?
The reported refundable warranty deposit is AED 5,000. Additional holding fees can apply depending on the emirate and number of family members.
3. How long can a family visa remain on hold?
The reported process gives the sponsor a maximum of 60 days to complete the visa change and regularise the residence status.
4. Is the UAE family visa hold deposit refundable?
The AED 5,000 warranty deposit is reported as refundable when the required visa process is completed within the permitted period and the hold is properly released.
5. Where can I apply for a Dubai family visa hold?
For Dubai-issued visas, applications can be made through GDRFA Dubai’s digital channels or an Amer service centre.
6. Can I put my family visa on hold if my new job is in another emirate?
The reported guidance says the holding service may not be available when the new employment visa is issued in a different emirate. Check with the relevant authority for your specific case.
Bottom line
If you are changing jobs in the UAE and sponsor your family, cancelling everyone’s residence visas may not always be the only option. The family visa hold process can provide a temporary solution while you transfer your own employment residence visa.
The key things to remember are the AED 5,000 reported refundable deposit, required documents, same-emirate condition and 60-day deadline. Always verify the latest requirements, fees and eligibility with GDRFA Dubai or ICP before submitting your application.