Firms must apply for visas online

NO MANUAL APPLICATIONS AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, RESIDENCY DEPARTMENT SAYS

Applications from companies for residence visas, visit visas and work permits will only be accepted through e-portal from September 1

All company applications for residency issuance, work permits and visit visas will only be accepted via an e-portal starting from September 1. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-DUBAI) has advised all companies to register for the online system as soon as possible.

Maj Gen Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director-General of the GDRFA, said that starting September 1, all companies and establishments in Dubai will be obliged to use the e-service when submitting applications.

“The transition to the electronic service is part of the GDRFA’s efforts to develop and expedite its procedures,” he said. “We are continuously looking to adopt the latest technological standards with the aim of saving time and effort for our customers.”

All companies are required to register with the online system before using the GDRFA service.

Maj Ali Mallallah, acting For inquiries, log on to www. ednrd.ae or call 04-3139911, or toll-free number 8005111 deputy assistant of the director-general for entry permits and residency, said to register for the online service, a company’s representative can visit the Establishments’ Department at the GDRFA headquarters at Al Jafliya or one of its branches in Bin Souqat Centre and Dubai Festival City.

He said the company’s public relations officer, owner, partner, or an authorised signatory must be present to register with the online service.

“These rules are applied for all companies operating in Dubai no matter how many employees are registered with them,” he said.

“The documents for registering in the service are to be presented personally,” he said. “The application must be filled in both English and Arabic. A photocopy of the establishment’s card must be submitted, along with passport copy of the authorised signatory.”