What is an Amer Centre?
Amer centres are government-authorised service points in Dubai that process residency and immigration transactions on behalf of the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs). They act as the customer-facing front end for Dubai's visa and immigration system, giving individuals and companies a convenient, staffed location to submit and complete applications that would otherwise require a direct visit to a GDRFA office.
The name reflects the Arabic word for order or command, positioning these centres as the place where immigration instructions and requests are executed. Amer centres are officially licensed and regulated by GDRFA, and their staff are trained on current immigration procedures, document requirements, and fee structures.
What Amer Centres handle
- Employment and family entry permit applications for Dubai-sponsored visas
- Residence visa stamping and renewal
- Visa cancellation and transfer of sponsorship
- Exit and re-entry permits
- Visa status checks and immigration inquiries
- Change-of-status applications (for example, converting a visit visa to a residence visa inside the country)
- Medical fitness test coordination for visa renewals where required
Amer centres handle only Dubai-sponsored visa transactions. If your visa is sponsored in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or another emirate, you will need ICP-registered typing centres or service providers, not Amer.
How to use an Amer Centre
- Identify the transaction you need and check the required documents on the GDRFA portal at gdrfad.gov.ae or by calling the centre ahead of your visit.
- Locate an Amer centre near you. Centres are spread across residential and commercial areas throughout Dubai. A directory is available on the GDRFA portal. Some centres are open on weekends.
- Visit with original documents and copies. Typical documents include your passport, current visa copy, Emirates ID (if already issued), and any supporting paperwork relevant to your visa category.
- The Amer centre staff will review your documents, enter the application into the GDRFA system, and collect the applicable government fees plus a service charge. Ask for an itemised receipt showing each component separately so you can verify what you paid.
- Receive a reference or application number and track your application through the GDRFA app or portal.
- Collect your visa stamp, Emirates ID, or other output once the application is approved, either from the centre or through a delivery service if offered.
What expats use Amer Centres for
Expatriates in Dubai most commonly visit Amer centres to renew residence visas, add dependants (spouse or children) under their sponsorship, cancel a visa when leaving an employer or departing the country, and process entry permits for family members arriving from abroad.
First-time residents also use Amer to complete the visa stamping step that converts an entry permit into a full residence visa. This stamped visa is required before you can collect your Emirates ID from ICP.
Fees at Amer centres combine the official GDRFA government charge with a centre service fee, and the total varies by transaction type. These amounts are updated periodically, so confirm the full cost before proceeding. Many standard transactions can also be completed through the GDRFA app or online portal without a physical visit to a centre.