A worker receiving his renewed ID card from an officer at a bright service centre.

Renewing your UAE employment visa, and what changes if you switch employers

Your employer leads the renewal, but you still have steps to do, like the medical test and Emirates ID. And if you're changing jobs instead, here's how to move without leaving the country.

By Kindoo teamPublished 3 min read

Your UAE employment residence visa and work permit have to be renewed before they expire, usually every two years. Here's how it works, and what to do instead if you're changing employers, which is what one reader asked: "How about change employer?"

Renewing with the same employer

Your employer leads the renewal, usually through its PRO or HR team. You still have a part to play, mainly turning up for the medical test and the Emirates ID.

The usual order:

  1. Your employer renews your work permit through MOHRE. For mainland jobs, this comes first.
  2. You take the medical fitness test at an approved medical centre. It's needed at every renewal for most residents aged 18 and over.
  3. The residence visa is renewed through ICP, or GDRFA in Dubai.
  4. Your Emirates ID is renewed together with it, linked to the same expiry date.

When to start: work permit renewals can often begin up to about 60 days before expiry, and the Emirates ID around 30 days before. Don't leave it to the last week. If your visa expires, the grace period and fines start to apply.

What to keep ready: your passport (valid for at least six months), your current Emirates ID and a photo. Your employer handles its company documents and your updated contract and salary details.

If you're changing employers

You don't have to leave the UAE to change jobs. Under current UAE labour law, the old automatic "labour ban" has largely been removed, so most workers can move to a new employer.

How it usually goes:

  1. Resign according to your contract, serving the notice period it requires.
  2. Your new employer applies for a new work permit, timed to start when your old job ends.
  3. Your old employer cancels your work permit and visa after your last day, once your final pay and gratuity are settled.
  4. Your new employer changes your status to their sponsorship within your grace period, without you leaving the country.
  5. New medical test and Emirates ID, under your new visa.
Renew with the same employer, or change employer Renewing with the same employer: work permit renewal, medical test, visa renewal and Emirates ID renewal, starting up to about 60 days before expiry. Changing employer: resign and serve notice, the new employer gets a work permit, the old visa is cancelled, and the new employer changes your status without you leaving the UAE. Same employer (renewal) New employer (change) Start up to ~60 days before expiry Work permit renewed Medical test Visa renewed Emirates ID renewed Resign and serve notice New work permit Old visa cancelled Status change, no exit needed Renew with the same employer, or change employer Renewing with the same employer: work permit renewal, medical test, visa renewal and Emirates ID renewal, starting up to about 60 days before expiry. Changing employer: resign and serve notice, the new employer gets a work permit, the old visa is cancelled, and the new employer changes your status without you leaving the UAE. Same employer (renewal) New employer (change) Start up to ~60 days before expiry Work permit renewed Medical test Visa renewed Emirates ID renewed Resign and serve notice New work permit Old visa cancelled Status change, no exit needed
Renewing with the same employer, or moving to a new one.

Our guide to cancelling a UAE residence visa explains the grace period and what your old employer must pay you.

Two things that catch people out

  • Your family's visas follow yours. When your visa is renewed or moved to a new employer, your dependants' visas have to be renewed or transferred too.
  • Don't let your passport expire first. The visa can't be renewed on a passport with less than six months left. Renew your Philippine passport early at the embassy or consulate if you need to.

Going home for a holiday?

If you're going home between renewals, check what you need for your OEC. If you changed employers, your new contract will probably need to be verified by the Migrant Workers Office before you can get one. See our guide to contract verification for the OEC.

Rules and fees can change. Check mohre.gov.ae, icp.gov.ae and gdrfad.gov.ae before acting.

Sources

This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Government rules and rates change; confirm current figures with the official agency before acting.

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