IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs in Dubai is strictly enforcing mandatory electronic filing of dependent visa applications through the e-Vision portal.

What does the change mean? Families applying for dependent visas should expect delays, as e-Vision filing requires additional documents, including the employee’s original Emirates ID, bank account number, legalized marriage and birth certificates, and the reliance on courier services to collect documents – all of which may cause delays.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Dependent visa renewal applications.
  • Who is affected: Family members of foreign employees seeking to renew dependent visas in Dubai.
  • Impact on processing times: Government processing time is three days (or same day if filed in-person), but gathering the additional documents and factoring in courier transit may increase the overall time frame to up to three weeks.
  • Business impact: Employees should be made aware of the current uncertainties in the new procedures and potential delays to their family members’ visas.

Background: The e-Vision platform, which was introduced in April to relieve long queues at the directorate, offers standard and express procedures. Under standard processing, the directorate sends its courier to collect documents. Under the express option, for an additional government fee the employee may file the dependent family members’ documents in person at the directorate (or send a representative).

BAL Analysis: Because many typing centers have not transitioned to the e-Vision system, applicants should prepare for delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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Founded in 1980, Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) provides comprehensive global immigration services from seven offices across the U.S. and from offices in Geneva, London, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. BAL manages global visa matters and customized application approaches for work permits, business visas, and residence permits in more than 100 countries. With a single cost center for worldwide operations, BAL offers centralized management with regional and local support for the complete spectrum of global immigration matters.

Source: Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP