Dependent Visa
UAE Family Visa Hold Overview
Regulation Type: Immigration Procedure
Coverage Area: Dependent Visa Management
Status: In Force (as of June 12, 2025)
Key Features:
Eligibility: Available to sponsors changing employment within the same emirate. Not applicable when transferring between different emirates.
Validity: The family visa can be placed on hold for up to 60 days.
Application Process:
Labor Card Cancellation: The sponsor's current employer must cancel the labor card.
Visit Amer or ICA Center: The sponsor must visit an Amer center (in Dubai) or an ICA Customer Happiness Center (in other emirates) to request the family visa hold.
Submit Required Documents: Including cancellation form, new job offer letter, original passports, and Emirates IDs of both sponsor and dependents.altaresh.com+8amerbabalfalah.com+8gdrfad.gov.ae+8
Pay Fees and Deposit: A refundable security deposit of AED 2,500 and a holding fee of AED 141 per passport are required.gdrfad.gov.ae+3businessin.ae+3gulfnews.com+3
New Employment Visa: Once the sponsor's new residence visa is stamped, the hold on the family visa is lifted automatically.
Refund Process: The security deposit is refunded upon submission of the new residence visa copy to the Amer or ICA centre.
Travel Restrictions: Dependents must remain within the UAE during the hold period and cannot travel abroad until the hold is lifted.
Source:
GDRFA Dubai: Hold Service Procedures