Entry Permits & Status Change in United Arab Emirates
There's no exit visa in the UAE - but entry permits, status change, and the 6-month-outside rule trip up plenty of residents.
Last verified: 2026-06
Overview
Unlike Saudi Arabia, the UAE has no formal exit visa for residents - your Emirates ID and active residence visa are enough. What does need careful handling is the entry permit (for new arrivals and family members), status change (converting a tourist or visit visa to a residence visa from inside the country), and the rule that residents who stay outside the UAE for more than 6 consecutive months automatically lose their residence visa.
All of these are processed through ICP (most emirates) or GDRFA-Dubai. Many residents use entry permits to bring in relatives for short visits or to start a sponsored residence application without leaving the country.
Documents required
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Sponsor's Emirates ID and trade licence (for sponsored permits)
- Recent photo with white background
- Current visa/visit visa for status change cases
- Proof of relationship (family entry permits)
Eligibility
- Sponsor (employer, family member, hotel, or yourself for some categories) is in good standing
- No active ban or unpaid fines on the passport
- Status change available only for certain visa categories
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa (30 days, inside UAE issued) | 350 AED | Plus AED 100 if sponsored by a hotel. |
| Tourist visa (60 days) | 650 AED | Multi-entry version is higher. |
| Multi-entry 5-year tourist visa | 1,100 AED | Confirm current amount on ICP. |
| Status change (in-country) | 650 AED | Avoids the cost and time of leaving and re-entering. |
| Entry permit (employment) | 1,170 AED | Standard category; varies by employer type. |
| Re-entry permit (lost residence) | 200 AED | If outside more than 6 months and the visa was cancelled. |
Step by step
- 1
Choose the permit type
Identify what you need: tourist visa, employment entry permit, family entry permit, or status change. Each has its own ICP/GDRFA service code.
online
- 2
Apply through ICP or GDRFA
Sponsor (employer/family/hotel) submits the application with passport copy, photo, and sponsor documents.
3-7 working days · online
- 3
Receive e-permit
E-permit is emailed/in-app. Print or save - airlines may ask before boarding.
online
- 4
Status change (if applicable)
Once in the UAE, the sponsor applies for status change inside the country, avoiding a border run. Standard fee AED 650.
3-5 working days · online
Processing time: 3-7 working days for entry permits; 3-5 days for status change.
Where to do it online
- ICP
Entry permits, tourist visas, and status change for non-Dubai cases
- GDRFA Dubai
Same services for Dubai-issued cases
- Amer
Authorised service centres for Dubai applications
Amer centres handle entry permits, status changes, and tourist visa extensions for AED 100-300 service fee. Useful when the online application keeps failing on document checks.
Renewal
Tourist visas are typically extendable once for up to 30 more days at AED 600. After that, you must exit. Residence visas don't need re-entry permits unless you've been outside more than 6 consecutive months.
Fines & penalties
- Overstaying an entry permit or tourist visa: AED 50/day after grace
- Outside UAE 6+ months while on a residence visa: visa is automatically cancelled
- Re-entry without a fresh permit after cancellation: denied boarding
Common pitfalls
- The 6-month rule - one long trip home can quietly cancel your visa
- Mixing up tourist visa categories - 30-day single-entry vs 60-day multi-entry have very different fees
- Forgetting Golden Visa holders have a 6-month outside exemption (longer in some sub-categories)
- Booking a status change without confirming your tourist visa category supports it
FAQs
No. Residents leave on their passport and Emirates ID - there's no separate exit permit. The only catch is that overstay fines or active legal cases will block you at the airport.
Yes for most categories - your sponsor (employer or family) applies for an in-country status change for AED 650. Saves the time and cost of leaving and re-entering.
If you stay outside the UAE for more than 6 consecutive months, your residence visa is automatically cancelled. Golden Visa holders are exempt from this 6-month rule.
One in-country extension of 30 days is usually possible for around AED 600, applied through ICP or GDRFA. After that, you must exit and re-enter.
A pre-arrival authorisation issued by ICP or GDRFA for new residents (employment, family, study) or short visits. It must be used within 60 days of issuance, and converts to a residence visa after the medical and Emirates ID steps.
Skip the hassle
A vetted typing centre can handle the paperwork end-to-end.
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