Dubai residence visa transfer in 2026 has become a key concern for private sector employees after the UAE reduced the validity of work cards and residence permits from three years to two. This change directly impacts expatriates working in privately owned companies and their families. In this guide, you’ll learn the complete process, rules, requirements, and important updates about transferring your Dubai residence visa.

Dubai Residence Visa Transfer Rules for Private Sector Employees

The UAE Ministry of Interior has confirmed that the new two-year residence visa rule applies only to workers in the private sector. This means employees must renew both their work card and residence visa every two years instead of three.

Impact on Family Visa Transfers

If the sponsor’s visa is valid for two years, the spouse and children will also receive two-year residence visas. However, for government or semi-government employees, the validity remains three years.

Financial Burden on Employers and Employees

Employers in the private sector have raised concerns that shorter visa validity increases renewal costs. Workers also face additional expenses when renewing dependent visas for spouses and children every two years.

Step-by-Step Process for Residence Visa Transfer in Dubai

Obtain a valid offer letter and employment contract.
Get a work permit approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Apply for a new residence visa based on the work card validity.
Ensure dependent family members’ visas are updated accordingly.

Offer Letter & Labour Law Compliance

According to UAE Labour Law, the offer letter becomes legally binding once signed by both parties. Employers cannot change or remove clauses without employee consent. Any violations may lead to penalties, including fines of up to AED 20,000 for incorrect information submitted to MoHRE.

Conclusion

In summary, the Dubai residence visa transfer process for private sector employees now follows a two-year validity system, while government employees remain on a three-year cycle. This change affects not only workers but also dependent family visas, adding financial responsibility for renewals.

To ensure a smooth transfer of your Dubai residence visa in 2026, always apply through trusted platforms like Dubai E Visa Online, where you can find expert guidance, fast processing, and secure approvals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but you must secure a new job offer and sponsor within the grace period to transfer your Dubai residence visa without leaving the UAE.

When you first arrive in the UAE, you are able to enter on a visit visa for 30 days. After your first 30 days, you will be required to change your visa to a work visa. There are numerous visa options to choose from, so finding the one that suits your situation and lifestyle is important. You can change your visa type while remaining in the UAE, as long as you have a sponsor. Some companies may require you to transfer to a different department, or at times they may request that you leave and re-enter the country under a different visa.

The transfer of a Dubai residence visa is not possible for a person working in the private sector. The transfer of a Dubai residence visa is a very simple procedure for employees of government departments, but there are other expatriates who are working in the private sector, and they cannot transfer their visas. If you have a valid UAE visa, you can apply for a Dubai visa, which will be stamped separately from your original visa. A Dubai visa is not transferable. If you wish to transfer your visa from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, you must first cancel your Abu Dhabi visa and apply for a new one.

The Dubai residence visa transfer process generally takes 5–10 working days once all documents are correctly submitted.

If you are working in the private sector and you are on a visit visa or you are working on a visa that is not valid for transfer of status, you will not be able to get a residency visa according to the current Dubai law. There are several possibilities for persons working in the private sector who want to transfer their Dubai resident visa status. The candidate must apply for a tourist visa valid for 30 days. This visa can be extended as many times as necessary but after a specific period of time. However, you must alter your visa status in order to remain in Dubai. Applying for a work permit is the first step in altering your visa status. Your company is required to give you the relevant documentation in order for you to apply for a work permit. You can apply for a resident visa after you obtain a work permit.

In most cases, an NOC from your current employer is required to transfer your Dubai residence visa to a new sponsor.

A Dubai work permit allows you to legally work in the UAE, while a residence visa lets you live in the country long-term; both are required for expatriates employed in Dubai.

The cost of a Dubai residence visa transfer usually ranges from AED 1,000 to AED 2,500, depending on employer type and visa category.

The UAE residency visa transfer is a process that involves the transfer of your visa from one employer to another. The transfer process is done to make sure that the residency visa of an ex-pat (residence permit) remains valid and is not canceled by the authorities. The UAE residency visa transfer is common in the private sector.

The transfer of visa sponsorship is at the employer’s discretion. The visitor should be able to obtain a letter of closure signed by the employee to the new employer. Generally, the employee can transfer the visa sponsorship within his/her same organization, but the new employer can also be a different organization. The employee must go to the NADRA office in their area and get a new CNIC issued. The employee will then have to go to the Foreigner Registration Office and get the new visa application and all supporting documents.

You need your passport, Emirates ID, existing residence visa, new employment contract, and NOC (if applicable) to process a Dubai visa transfer.

Yes, you can change jobs in Dubai by transferring your work permit and residence visa to a new employer, provided you meet Ministry of Labour and sponsor requirements.

The transferable visa is one of the most versatile visa categories available in the UAE. However, it is complex and difficult to follow. So, in case you are planning to apply for a transferable visa, here are the things you should know. The transferable visa is one of the most versatile visa categories available in the UAE. With a transferable visa, you can change employers during the validity of the visa itself. This is not available with other types of iqama. However, your company must authorize you for the transfer. Even if you change jobs, the visa's expiry date stays the same. The only thing is that you have to renew the visa with every change in the employer.

Yes, dependent family visas can be transferred to match the sponsor’s new residence visa after job change in Dubai.

The Dubai government recently changed the law that allows any ex-pat employee who is working in the private sector to transfer their visa to a new employer. This is a very important change and a major milestone for ex-pat workers in Dubai. This change was announced by the Dubai government in 2016 and the new law was applied from the beginning of 2017. Any person who has worked for more than one year and who is employed by a private company can now transfer to a new employer by completing a simple and short process.

A transfer residence visa is a visa that is issued to an employee of a private company who is working here in the UAE. A transfer of residence visa is granted to the expatriate employee in the event that the person is transferred from one company to another. The transfer of residence visa allows the employee to continue residing in the UAE with his family and continue working for the new company. In order to get a transfer of visa, the employee must apply for a new visa from his new employer. This visa is issued for a limited period of time, which is equal to the time period the employee worked at his previous company.