What government tasks do PRO services handle for employee visas and Emirates ID in Dubai?

PRO services in Dubai for employees cover the staff paperwork with the authorities: residence permits issued, renewed and cancelled through GDRFA Dubai, the medical fitness test, Emirates ID applications through ICP, and the company establishment card. Official pages show these steps run in sequence, and a private-sector cancellation needs a MoHRE cancellation first. [1][2][3][7]

By GCC Filings Bookkeeping LLC - Published and last updated 20 October 2026

Key takeaways

• The employer starts the process: u.ae says the employer must apply for the standard work visa. [9]
• A private-sector residence permit is valid for two years and can be renewed for similar periods; applicants over 18 need an approved medical examination. [2]
• Residence cancellation at GDRFA Dubai needs an extract of work permit cancellation from MoHRE for private-sector employees. [3]
• Emirates ID applications go through the ICP website or an accredited typing centre, and fingerprints may need a visit to an ICP service centre. [7]
• The establishment card is a separate company-level renewal handled through GDRFA Dubai. [4][6]

Which employee tasks sit behind a PRO service?

The employee-side tasks are the permit, medical, Emirates ID and residence visa steps, plus the company records they depend on. The UAE government portal describes the mainland sequence as MoHRE file and establishment card first, a GDRFA company file next, then the employee's tests and applications. [1]

On that page, the employer opens a file with MoHRE and obtains "an establishment card and number linked to the business licence". After MoHRE's initial approval, the employer opens a company file with GDRFA, which allows work entry permits valid for two months. During that period the employee completes the medical fitness test, applies for an Emirates ID through ICP and obtains the labour card. [1] The employee is then granted a residence visa based on the work permit. [1]

Our guide to what PRO services are in Dubai covers the wider picture; this article stays on the staff side.

How is an employee residence visa issued or renewed?

The employer applies, and for Dubai private-sector staff the residence permit is handled by GDRFA Dubai. The u.ae portal says "The employer must apply for the standard work visa", and that the residence visa is valid for two years and renewable under the issuing authorities' terms. [9]

The GDRFA service page says a residence permit entitles private-sector workers to reside in the country for two years, renewable for similar periods under the same conditions as the original grant. [2] Documents listed for the sponsored person are a passport copy, a recent photograph with a white background, and a proper medical examination approved by the relevant authorities for those over 18. [2]

The digital steps on the page are:

1. Log in to the smart services system through UAE Pass or a username. [2]
2. Search for the service to be applied for. [2]
3. Fill in the application data, where applicable. [2]
4. Pay the service fee, if any. [2]

The page gives an expected completion time of 48 hours and says the digital channel is available 24/7. [2] GDRFA also lists "Renewal of Residency Visa" as its own service. [10] The page lists a residence permit fee and several extra charges; amounts are not repeated here, so check the live page for the current total. [2]

The ICP service page for issuing a residence permit describes a federal route linked to an Emirates ID card application, with documents that vary by category and a listed duration of 2 days. [8]

What does a PRO do for Emirates ID?

The Emirates ID application is made through ICP channels, and the u.ae portal says it is mandatory for all UAE citizens and residents. The u.ae portal says you can apply through the ICP website or an accredited typing centre, and you may need to visit an ICP service centre to give biometric details. [7]

For renewal, the same page says you can renew after expiry or up to six months early, through customer happiness centres or the smart services system. If renewal is more than one month after expiry, a late fee of AED 20 per day applies, capped at AED 1,000. [7] Individuals aged 15 and over must complete fingerprint and signature procedures at ICP service centres during renewal. [7]

The page covers replacing a lost, stolen or damaged card, and says a lost card should be reported to ICP within 7 days of the loss. [7] Confirm standard fees with ICP.

What happens when an employee leaves: visa cancellation?

Cancellation is a two-authority task for private-sector staff: the MoHRE work permit cancellation comes first, then GDRFA Dubai cancels the residence permit. GDRFA lists a work permit cancellation extract from MoHRE as a required document for private-sector employees, and as a condition of the service. [3]

The GDRFA cancellation page lists these requirements and steps:

1. Prepare the sponsor's passport, the sponsored person's passport, and the MoHRE cancellation extract for private-sector employees. [3]
2. Apply digitally: log in with UAE Pass or a username, search for the service, complete the application and pay any fee. [3]
3. Or apply in person at an Amer Service Center: take a turn ticket, submit the complete application and pay any fee. [3]

The page shows a residence permit cancellation fee of AED 100, plus extra charges of AED 10 each for the Knowledge Dirham and the Innovation Dirham, an expected completion time of 48 hours, and a 60-day grace period after cancellation or expiry during which the person may remain in the country. [3]

When a person leaves, final pay is a separate matter. See our guide on how to calculate gratuity in the UAE.

How does the establishment card fit in?

The establishment card is a company-level record, not an employee document, but the staff process depends on it. GDRFA Dubai lists services to issue, renew and cancel an establishment card, and to amend a Public Relations Officer (PRO) card. [6]

For private-sector and free zone establishments, the renewal page lists a copy of the partners' names appendix, copies of the authorised signatories' passports, and a notarised authorisation where a manager acts for the company. [4] Its digital steps are the same four steps as above, and the expected completion time is 48 hours. [4]

Fee types on the renewal and issuance pages include a renewal or issuance fee, VAT, extra charges, a service fee, an urgent fee and an Amer Centre surcharge. The pages also carry a per-year fee note that sits uneasily beside the main fee line, so amounts are not quoted here. Check the live pages for the current figures. [4][5]

Which tasks can a company do itself?

Where the official pages show a digital channel open to the applicant, a company can use it directly. The GDRFA pages for residence permits, cancellation and establishment card renewal each list digital channels (website or smart app) and, for cancellation and renewal, Amer Service Centres. [2][3][4] For Emirates ID, u.ae says you may apply through the ICP website or an accredited typing centre. [7]

The official pages do not compare routes, and provider fees vary and should be quoted by the provider. If you are planning your setup budget, see company setup cost components in Dubai.

How GCC Filings can help

GCC Filings Bookkeeping LLC is a Dubai firm. Its Company Formation and PRO Support service lists investor, partner, employee and dependent residency visa processing, and trade licence acquisition, commercial renewals and licence amendment processing. We can talk through which of the steps above apply to your company.

See the full Company Formation and PRO Support service, browse all services, or read more in our blog. If you are winding a business down, see how to close a company in Dubai. Contact us on +971 4 557 4802, at [email protected], or at Office 2403, East Wing, Latifa Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.

Limits of this guide

Requirements, fees and processes change and differ by emirate, free zone and company type. We could not open the MoHRE website, so MoHRE procedures are covered only as described on the u.ae and GDRFA pages. Confirm every step with the authority concerned. This is general information, not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Who applies for an employee residence visa in Dubai?

The employer. The u.ae portal states that the employer must apply for the standard work visa, and that the residence visa is valid for two years and renewable under the terms set by the issuing authorities. [9]

Do employees need a medical test for a residence permit?

GDRFA lists a proper medical examination approved by the relevant authorities for applicants over 18 years of age among the documents for a private-sector residence permit. The u.ae portal also places the medical fitness test within the two-month work entry permit period. [1][2]

Can a company apply for Emirates ID through a typing centre?

The u.ae portal says you can apply for an Emirates ID through the ICP website or an accredited typing centre. You may also need to visit an ICP service centre to provide biometric details, and anyone aged 15 or over completes fingerprints and signature at renewal. [7]

What is the late fee for an expired Emirates ID?

The u.ae portal says that if you renew more than one month after expiry, a late fee of AED 20 per day applies, up to a maximum of AED 1,000. Renewal is possible up to six months before expiry. [7]

What must be done before cancelling an employee residence visa in Dubai?

For private-sector employees, GDRFA requires an extract of work permit cancellation from MoHRE, along with the sponsor and sponsored person passports. After permit cancellation, GDRFA states a 60-day grace period during which the person may remain in the country. [3]

Is the establishment card an employee document?

No. It is a company record, linked to the business licence in the u.ae description. GDRFA Dubai lists services to issue, renew and cancel it, and the renewal page lists partners and signatory documents. It underpins the staff visa process, so keep it current. [1][4][6]

Sources

1. UAE Government Portal (u.ae). Recruiting on the mainland, 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/business/Doing-business/doing-business-on-the-mainland/recruiting-on-the-mainland-
2. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA). Issuing residence permits for the private sector (service page). https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/bf4095ea-56e2-11ea-0320-0050569629e8
3. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA). Cancellation of all types of residence permits (service page). https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/0613ab0e-5858-11ea-0320-0050569629e8
4. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA). Renewal of Establishment Card - all categories (service page). https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/1fa970e9-5b9e-11ea-0320-0050569629e8
5. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA). Establishment Card for Institutions in the Private Sector/Free Zone (service page). https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/0bae0953-6749-11ea-0320-0050569629e8
6. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA). Establishments Support Services (service list). https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/72f00555-668b-11e8-78de-0cc47ada4ec1
7. UAE Government Portal (u.ae). Emirates ID, 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/emirates-id
8. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Issuing a residence permit (service page). https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e64
9. UAE Government Portal (u.ae). Residence visa for working in the UAE, 2026. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/residence-visa-for-working-in-the-uae
10. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA). Residency services (service list). https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/72f00551-668b-11e8-78de-0cc47ada4ec1

Accessed 20 October 2026. General information only; confirm current rules with the authorities.