Dubai’s GDRFA has outlined how to reclaim a visit visa deposit. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA) confirms that the standard refundable security deposit for a UAE visit visa is Dh1,000, with a service fee of Dh20 and a collection fee of Dh40.
Eligibility and timing The refund claim must be submitted within 30 days of the passenger’s departure from the UAE, according to the GDRFA website. If a visitor switches to a residence visa, the visa‑status change must be completed before the refund can be requested. “To get the refund deposit back from the immigration, for visit visas, the person has to exit the country first. Only then can you apply for the refund amount.” — Musa Dayani, Public Relations Officer Musa Dayani, a Dubai‑based public relations officer, explains that the person must leave the country first before any refund can be processed.
Required documents and application steps Applicants need the sponsor’s Emirates ID, a copy of the passenger’s passport and visit visa, the original receipt of the security deposit payment, and proof that the passenger has either exited the country or changed visa status. Proof of exit can be a screenshot of the exit stamp or a travel report from the GDRFA. To obtain a travel report, users should log in to the GDRFA portal with their UAE PASS, search for “Issuance of Statements (Entry and Exit Movement)”, enter the sponsor’s Emirates ID, the passenger’s passport number and the visit dates, then pay the Dh141 fee. The report is processed within 48 hours and can be downloaded as a PDF.
Online refunds are filed through the GDRFA website. After logging in with UAE PASS, users select “Existing Applications and Dependents”, enter the visit visa application or transaction number, upload the exit or visa‑change proof, locate the application and click “Refund”. The system then displays the refund details for confirmation.
For those who prefer a face‑to‑face option, the refund can also be submitted in person at an Amer Centre in Dubai. These steps provide a clear pathway for sponsors to recover the refundable deposit after a visitor’s stay ends.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reclaim a UAE visit visa deposit? Submit a refund claim within 30 days of the passenger’s departure, providing the sponsor’s Emirates ID, a copy of the passport and visit visa, the original deposit receipt, and proof of exit or visa‑status change.
What documents are needed to refund UAE visit visa deposit? You need the sponsor’s Emirates ID, a copy of the passenger’s passport and visit visa, the original security‑deposit receipt, and proof that the passenger has exited the UAE or changed to a residence visa.
How long do I have to claim a UAE visit visa refund? The refund claim must be filed within 30 days after the visitor leaves the UAE.
Can I get a refund if I change to a residence visa in UAE? Yes—if the visitor switches to a residence visa, the status change must be completed before the refund request is submitted.
Where can I submit a UAE visit visa refund application? Applications can be filed online through the GDRFA website using UAE PASS, or in person at any Amer Centre in Dubai.
Source: Emirates247
