How to Renew a Residence Visa in the Gulf

Every year, millions of expatriates living and working in the Gulf renew a residence visa or a longer renewal option. Timely renewal of a residence visa allows for continuous legal residence in that country, thus allowing for the continuation of employment and the ability to access important daily services such as banking, health care and travel. The processes for renewing a residence visa may differ slightly from country to country, but all countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) use a structured, digital-first process and have employer support in place. For more news updates, visit our Gulf Independent News page.

How to Renew Your Residence Visa in the Gulf

In nearly all of the Gulf countries, residence visa renewals typically begin 30 to 60 days prior to the expiration date and are initiated by the visa sponsor, i.e. employer, family sponsor or business. The majority of Gulf countries now have online government portals, making this process increasingly paperless and reducing the number of in-person visits required.

Commonly required steps for renewing a residence visa usually include completing a medical fitness examination, renewing your Emirates ID (national ID in some countries), updating your biometrics and paying renewal fees. Missing the deadline may result in fines, suspension of your visa or, in extreme situations, you may be blacklisted.

Related Visa & Expat Coverage

In addition to providing an overview of Gulf residence visa renewal procedures for expatriates, this guide is connected to our articles on Gulf work visa validity, family sponsorship regulations in the region and how expatriates can avoid incurring penalties for overstaying their visas in the GCC. With these additional articles, expatriates will not only find information on how to go about renewing their residence visa, but also on developing long-term plans for residency in the Gulf.

Required Documentation for Renewing a Residence Visa

Although requirements will differ slightly depending on the particular Gulf state, in general, the following documentation must be submitted with the application for a residence visa renewal:

• A Valid Passport (at least 6 months before expiry date)
• 1 or 2 Current Passport-Sized Photos (based on each specific application)
• Medical Fitness Test Report
• Existing Residence Visa Copy
• Employment Contract or Salary Certificate
• Health Insurance (Health insurance is Mandatory in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)
• Sponsor Documents (Trade License or ID)

In countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, medical tests include blood screening and chest X-rays, with results digitally uploaded within 24–48 hours.

Timeline and Fees: What to Expect

Visa renewal timelines typically range from 2 to 10 working days, depending on the country and visa type. Delays often occur due to pending medical reports or expired passports.

Here’s a general overview:

Costs vary by country and visa category. Employment visas are usually covered by employers, while family visa renewals are paid by the sponsor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Expatriates often make the mistake of waiting until the last week to renew their visas. Many Gulf countries charge daily fines for overstaying your visa, and they begin charging the day after your visa expires.

Some other mistakes that expatriates commonly make are:

• Not paying attention to your passport’s expiration date
• Not obtaining the necessary health insurance
• Not cancelling their visa when they change employers
• Forgetting to attend their biometric appointment to complete the visa renewal process

To avoid fines and unnecessary stress, expatriates should plan well in advance to renew their respective visas.

Different categories have different requirements for the renewal process; for example, family visas usually require proof of income and an updated tenancy agreement, whereas freelancers and business owners must obtain a renewed trade licence prior to renewing their visa(s). The UAE Golden Visa (long-term visa) is a special category with a different set of rules, with longer validity periods and fewer eligibility requirements than the normal visa renewal process.

As Gulf nations continue to add more visa options in terms of the freelance and investment categories, it is critical to know which of the three possible categories you fall into prior to commencing the renewal process.

The Importance of Timely Visa Renewals

Having a valid residency visa is essential for many aspects of life, including your ability to return to the country and access bank accounts, drive a car and activate a mobile phone service, just to name a few. In many countries in the Gulf, if you have an expired residency visa, you automatically lose access to all related services until you renew your visa.

With the ongoing digitisation of immigration systems throughout the Gulf region, complying with these requirements for timely visa renewals is not an option at this time.