Transacting with Dubai Immigration has never been easier. With the GDRFA Mobile App, you even have the option to not visit immigration office in person.
Blake’s visa will expire by last week of December 2017. Since we are traveling (Yippee!!) for the holiday season, I have to renew her visa earlier to ensure that the new visa is ready before we leave.
Applying for her visa renewal the traditional way is not first option since I have used up all of my leave credits. I remembered that there is a mobile app from Dubai Immigration — the GDRFA Mobile App.
Download and Install the GDRFA Mobile App
Search for GDRFA Dubai in App Store for iPhone and Google Play Store for Android. Download and install. Open the app after installation. (Photos used are from an Android phone)
Register for an account
There are four tabs in the app: Login, Services, Media, Contact Us.
Click “Login” to register for access. Have your UAE ID and Visa page ready as you will be required to enter your details.
Once you have the documents ready, click on the (+) symbol then follow the prompt.
You will receive a validation code via SMS to the mobile number given during account registration.
Once the account is validated, you can start using the App. For ease of access in the future, do not forget to activate Bio-metric authentication.
You may now use the app to view current status and validity of the visas for your dependents.
Prepare for the visa renewal using the GDRFA Mobile App
Note: UAE visa can only be renewed if validity is less than 90 days.
Scan the following documents and copy to your device in JPG format:
- Your passport identity page and UAE visa page
- UAE ID both sides
- Dependents passport identity page and UAE visa page
- Dependents UAE ID
- Tenancy Agreement (Ejari)
- Salary certificate, issued by your current sponsor
- Dependents picture (passport size, white background)
- UAE ID renewal form (apply online via eForm). Only apply for the UAE ID renewal once you are ready to submit the application for visa renewal. UAE ID renewal application is only valid for 10 days. This means that visa renewal application should be submitted within 10 days of submitting UAE ID renewal request.
Apply for Visa renewal using GDRFA Mobile App
After the above listed documents are copied in your mobile device, you are now ready to submit visa renewal application using the app.
- Open the GDRFA Mobile App and login.
- Go to the dashboard and open dependent visa details page in (Active box if the visa is still valid, Expiring soon box if visa is expired for less than 30 days, Expired box if the visa is expired for more than 30 days)
- Press Renew Residence button
- Fill up the documents details
- Select delivery method (Select Zajel to have the visa delivered to your doorstep)
- Press the next button
- Attach the required documents
- Pay the fee
- Wait for the SMS/Email confirmation
- You will receive 2 SMS, first SMS is to confirm that visa renewal application is approved, second SMS contains the Zajel tracking number.
- Zajel will pickup the passport of your dependent along with a photo of the dependent.
- You may have to call Zajel to schedule the pickup and to give directions to the pickup location.
- Wait for the passport to be delivered with the new visa. Track the status of your passport/visa delivery using the Zajel tracking sytem
It’s that easy. For Blake’s visa renewal I received the approval in less than an hour. Since I applied on a Thursday, I got the next SMS on Saturday.
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Have you tried the GDFRA mobile app? Let us know in the comments!
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My wife’s visa is expiring one month before my ejari expires. Would it be possible to renew her visa with tenancy contract expiring in 1 month?
Yes, it is possible
Hi Alvin, Is it necessary that all doc in jpeg format? Is pdf acceptable by the system?
It should be jpg.
Thanks Alvin. What about Ejari and University Bonafide letter. These are received in pdf format.
You will need to print and scan or save as JPG
hi thanks for the helpful tips. where do i find the number of sponsored residents coz everytime i put a number it says error
Its possible that the number you are entering is NOT the same as the number you have on file with GDRFA. You may reach out to them using the support function of the App.
Is Ejari Mandatory for Visa Renewal of a 6 years kid? I have Tenancy contract but no Ejari
Yes, ejari is mandatory
Wow Alvin! Really helpful information.
A few pointers:
1, As Alvin says, make sure you have all the documents ready before application.
2, I faced a delay because the visa kept getting rejected due to some document not being alright. had to upload it a few times to be rejected every time. Called GDRFA and they said that the salary certificate had to be in arabic which was not mentioned in the app. In case of any issues, the GDRFA call center is very responsive and guide you properly. once the correct doc was uploaded, the visa was approved in less than 3 hours.
3, Zajel courier is a bit laidback. I suggest you call them as soon as you receive the sms and follow up with them to pick it up in the same day. After two days, call them again and arrange for the delivery.
4, The GDRFA smart app is very smooth. This was the first time i renewed a visa without going to any center and it was very fast as well.
My husband has registered but there was no ID or passport details in the registration ,only email to fill in . So now he cannot renew the visa of our child.,it doesn’t appear anything active even the has been expired week ago. any clue what might be the wrong step we did ?
Did he use the same email address that is registered with GDRFA and linked to his own residence visa?
Yes,. I called Amer and they advised me to register again but with EIDA card. Now we can use the app. Can we use the copy of the contract instead of salary certificate? The salary is mentioned there as well and we use the doc when we make our visas every time now. I hope it will work as the s.certif. issuing will take few days….Thank you for your time
Yes, you may use your employment contract.
Hi
This is damn helpful. I used for my kid’s visa renewal. Too good too easy.
Now i have a newborn born in Dubai and I got her new passport. Is it possible to apply new visa for newborn using Mobile app?
I tried my services option, new request but it says you have no dependents. Any thoughts?
Thanks
I think it is possible to apply for new visa/entry permit using My Services you have to select New Residence Visa or New Entry permit if your kid is not born here in UAE.
Hai, in this app can we renew sharjah family visa
I honestly don’t know because I am based in Dubai and uses it for Dubai visa renewal, If I were you, I will try anyway. If it is not allowed, I don’t think you will reach the payment screen if it is not possible to renew Sharjah visa using the App.
Hi, my wife is pregnant so i sent her to my home country and now realosed that her 2 years visa is about to expire after 3 months, is there a way to renew her visa without coming back to Duabi or she has to come in any case, thank you.
She has to be in the country to renew her visa, your other option is to cancel her existing visa then re-apply for a new one. This is a longer process and would cost you more.
Hi Alvin, can I use this to renew my maid’s EID?
No. There is a separate app that can be used to renew Emirates ID. Use the ICA UAE App.
I have tried for renewal my son visa through app but when i press renewal button then it says you are not allowed to create this service
Renewal of visa is only allowed within 120 days before it expires and up to 30 days after it expires. Use the Contact Us link in the app to speak to AMER support.
Hi,
Has anyone renewed the spouse visa through this app with a tenancy contract on spouse’s brother’s name?
Thank You
You will have to add a No Objection letter at the end of the tenancy contract file before you attach it.
Is it cheaper via the App then going to Typing Center?
For me it is cheaper because I didn’t have to pay for typing. I didn’t have to go the typing center and the passport was collected and delivered at my home.
Hello, i followed the steps you mentioned and submitted yesterday. It was really helpful. Just wanted to know, if you have uploaded health insurance card document for your dependent while renewing Visa? I didn’t, it didn’t ask anywhere for it. I still haven’t received approval. Any thoughts!?
I did not, its not required they can get directly from MoH
I see no mention about medical test… isnt that a part of Visa renewal
It is for residents 18+, the process for that is outside of the app functionality. Medical test is done with DHA via authorised typing centres, result will be sent to GDRFA directly. Do not raise a request in the app before obtaining the medical test is done.
My wife’s visa is about to expire next month… could you let me know how the process would be if i use the mobile app..
First she has to go for medical, once you get the result you can apply for UAE ID, You can do it on their website or use their mobile app. After the ID application save the application form in jpg format.
Gather all your documents, salary certificate, ejari, UAE ID application form, passport pages all must be in jpg format.
To renew the visa using the app, follow the process in the blogpost.
Thank you for the information Alvin.. Really helpful.. 😎
Hi Alvin,
Can the medical test be done in Abu Dhabi for Dubai visa?
Hello, This was really helpful. Excellent work! I submitted yesterday but there wasn’t anywhere asking for dependent’s medical insurance card copy. Was that not mandatory? i still haven’t received approval.
Its not mandatory because they can check directly
Can medical test for Dubai visa be done in Abu Dhabi goverment authorised medical center. Will the app work out in such a case that medical has been done in some other emirate other than dubai ?
If your visa is in Dubai, you have to go to one of the DHA Authorized Medical Fitness Centre listed here
https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/MedicalFitness/pages/medical%20fitness%20centers.aspx
Thank you. You can also use the sam app to apply for visit visa, I will also use it to apply for entry permit for Adam.
Hi Alvin, for tenancy contract, I can still upload my Abu Dhabi Tenancy Contract, right?
We are currently living in abu dhabi but my Visa Is from Dubai.
Yes, you may upload tenancy contract from any Emirate.
Thanks Alvin.Similar question..Living in Abu Dhabi and visa is from Dubai. Can I fill an ABU DHABI address in the form?
Yes, you may use an Abu Dhabi address in the app as long as it is the same as stated in the tenancy contract being submitted.
This is awesome Alvin. Thanks for sharing. I thought of downloading the app now then I remember the kids visa will expire in 2019 and 2020.
Hi all, I’m.trying to renew my daughter visa. It keeps on asking for Emirates ID card Application Document?/am I missing something here which I have uploaded her Emirates ID Card?
Thanks
You have to apply for UAE ID before you submit visa application, You will need to upload the PDF/JPG version of the application form