Whizzkid

It has been widely published that when applying for a spouse' Residence Visa in the UAE, one has to have, amongst a mountain of other documents, an Attested marriage certificate.

This is only applicable if your surnames do not match in the passports. If they do it is not necessary to Attest the certificate, just supply a copy to Immigration which is acceptable.

The cost of getting the Residence visa can be misleading as prices quoted do not include, Admin fees, knowledge fees (whatever that is) and in some cases a bank fee, again I have no idea what that is.

The current fees are as follows including charges as above:
NB! I applied with my wife being in the country, these may be different if still abroad.
Typing cost - AED265 (A very expensive clerk)
'Inside Country' Visa cost - AED530
Status Ammendment change - AED570 (Cash Cow)

This visa is then valid for 60 days from date of issue and in that time your spouse will need to present her/himself at a government hospital for a medical i.e. lung x-ray, and blood test. God knows when the retina scan is done and what the cost will be as the this is not adequately advertised -

Maybe they get a thrill is seeing an applicant squirm when the head nodding clerk informs you of ANOTHER couple of 100AED fee.

NB!!!Dont forget they never quote the additional charges so be prepared. Fortunately there is a convenient ATM right outside the door.

This whole procedure is a morning's exercise and can try your patience.

The whole routine is typically,
1. See a clerk to find out if all your documents are in order
2. Get the typing done and pay AED265
3. They will then issue a Residence Visa for the pricely sum of AED530
4. Now to the Ammendment/Visa Status change clerk who points you once again to the Cashier's counter - Another AED570
5. Back to visa ammendments who takes all of the docs, stamps them and tells you to go back to the typists to get the Residence visa.
6. Don't go straight back, rather read a book for an hour then go and ask as this takes time to go through their system.

GOOD LUCK and have fun.

All of this was done at JAFZA and again this may be different at other immigration centres in Dubai.

Although a painfully tedious exercise the staff are helpful and pleasant and are no different to any other country's civil servants.

AnotherWorld

Dubai immigration centre staff weren't pleasant nor helpful to me. Nor were they sympathetic to the fact that their lack of information and help caused me to have to drive back and forth between their and Abu Dhabi for 3 days in a row just so I could "transfer residence visa to new passport". Why? Because I dont speak Arabic and they dont speak English. Too hard, someone elses problem.

Sabriyyah

Whizzkid,
Congratulations - yours is the first thread i've seen that is actually useful! Most of them just seem to be people complaining, having a go at the country they are resident in or competing to see who can use the most expletives in a sentence! Big shout out for intelligent forum users! On your subject though, many of us have a good PRO who knows the ropes and is prepared to work the system in our favour. Sorry that you don't but it's great that you sorted it for yourself.

Whizzkid

Hi

I can understand your frustration. I am not sure of your reason in getting a new passport. Full? Would it not be easier to get an E gate card and retain the passport with the Residence visa in and then in your own time apply for a new passport for travel outside the UAE.

AnotherWorld

Destroyed the thing. No other option. Left the country. Dont want to come back. Thats the story

AnotherWorld

Are you from expatwoman by any chance?

Aikman7981

Don't know how this thread got by me! I am about to embark on the same path and did a search for residence visa fees to gauge the cost as there are ZERO online references for this process. Wonderful post!

Any idea if this differs for children?

My visa is provided but wife and kids are not so must brave the system alone.

Roserose

Hello there I am new to these forums and don't know much where to post my query.

I want to move to Dubai along with my two children aged 11 and 12, my husband holds the residence visa and owns a LLC company and an apartment in Dubai and travels back and forth often. The reason I am posting it all here is I want to speak to him after doing all of my homework. Can someone kindly tell me would we get the residence visa easily and the procedure please?

Euc-

You are kidding right?

Blue Cat

and he doesn't know how to sponsor his family

Grace O Malley

If you dont like the forum, no one is forcing you to stay dear

Roserose

He is one of those husbands who would come up with 101 reasons for us to stay in UK. So I thought I better do my homework before asking him. He owns a LLC company, apartment and travels to Dubai often. Would I be eligible to get the residence visa? What would be the procedure please let me know. Many thanks.

admon

If he owns an LLC that is based IN the UAE, then his company sponsor will have a PRO that can do this simple. Will take around 4 weeks (Could be anything from 2-8 weeks)

If your husband has a Free Zone company, then it will be the free zone that would sort it. Same simple stuff, same 4 weeks or so.

Either way, you would be free to live here on a visit visa while its under process.

admon

So you choose to post in the very sarcastic manner in which you criticise, without giving any help whatsoever?

Pot calling kettle? Hello...?

Blue Cat

he makes an application to the Department of Immigration to sponsor you, it is all pretty straight forward.