Setting up or expanding your business in Dubai, UAE? If you plan to hire employees, sponsor investors or partners, or process family visas, you need a valid Immigration Establishment Card Dubai for smooth compliance and to avoid any establishment card renewal fine later. This comprehensive guide explains what it is, who needs it, how to renew, application process, costs, and how to avoid penalties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other UAE emirates. Many companies also search for establishment card renewal Dubai and immigration card renewal Dubai when preparing for yearly renewals.

The Immigration Establishment Card (also called Immigration File or Company Card) is a mandatory permit issued by Dubai's immigration system (GDRFA/ICP) that authorizes your company to sponsor visas. Whether you operate a mainland company in Dubai, a free zone business in Sharjah, or an LLC in Abu Dhabi, this card is essential for all visa sponsorship activities and understanding how to renew establishment card Dubai on time. Some companies also refer to it as an immigration card Dubai or “Dubai immigration card.”

Need help opening your immigration file or sponsoring staff? Apply with Dubai Visa Center for compliant documentation, fast-track processing, and end-to-end support for your establishment card renewal Dubai and Employee Visa Dubai applications.

What Is an Immigration Establishment Card in Dubai?

The Immigration Establishment Card Dubai is a permit issued under the UAE's immigration system (GDRFA Dubai / ICP UAE) that legally identifies your company as an authorized visa sponsor. This card enables your business to apply for:

Employee visas Dubai - work permits and residence visas for staff
Investor visa Dubai - residence permits for business owners and shareholders
Partner visa Dubai - sponsorship for business partners
Entry permits and Dubai visa renewal applications
Family visa Dubai sponsorship through company eligibility

Without an active establishment card, your company cannot lodge new Dubai visa applications or renew existing visas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, or UAQ. Companies often look up immigration card renewal or immigration card in Dubai when they face system blocks due to expiry.

Establishment Card vs MOHRE Registration: Key Differences

Immigration Establishment Card (GDRFA/ICP)

Purpose: Enables entry permits, residency visas, visa stamping, and all sponsorship actions

Covers: Employee visa Dubai applications, investor visa Dubai, partner visa Dubai, family visa sponsorship

Required In: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ

Also known as immigration establishment card or company immigration card renewal Dubai when renewing.

MOHRE Establishment Registration

Purpose: Enables labour contracts, work permit quotas, and employment services

Covers: Employment contracts, work permits, labour quotas, Wage Protection System

Required For: Mainland companies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah

Important: Most Mainland Companies Need Both

Companies operating in Dubai mainland, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah mainland typically need both immigration establishment card for visa sponsorship and MOHRE registration for work permits. Free zone companies in Dubai (DMCC, JAFZA), Abu Dhabi (ADGM), or Sharjah (SAIF Zone) usually manage labour internally but still require an establishment card Dubai for visa sponsorship and future company immigration card renewal in Dubai as per compliance rules.

Who Needs an Establishment Card in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah?

You must obtain an Immigration Establishment Card if your company plans to:

Sponsor employees - hire staff and process employee visas Dubai

Bring investors/partners - issue investor visa Dubai and partner visa

Sponsor families - process family visa Dubai under company eligibility

Make amendments - manager changes, address updates, legal name modifications

Operate in UAE - mandatory for businesses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ

By Location:

Dubai mainland/LLC - mandatory for all visa sponsorship
Dubai free zones (DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC) - required after trade license
Abu Dhabi (ADGM, Masdar, mainland) - essential for work visas
Sharjah (SAIF Zone, Hamriyah, mainland) - needed for employee sponsorship

Establishment Card Renewal Dubai: Free Zone vs Mainland Process

Free Zone Companies (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah)

Examples: DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, DAFZA (Dubai), ADGM, Masdar (Abu Dhabi), SAIF Zone (Sharjah)

Process:

Digital application through zone's online portal
Streamlined one-window service
Some zones bundle fees into license renewal
Timeline: Approximately 1-3 working days

Mainland Companies (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah)

Process:

Apply directly via GDRFA/ICP channels or PRO
Separate MOHRE registration required
Ejari (tenancy) must be current and matching
Timeline: Approximately 3-5 working days

Requirements:

Valid renewed trade license
Updated Ejari/lease agreement
MOHRE establishment card (if applicable)
Manager's Emirates ID and passport copies

How to Renew Establishment Card Dubai: Step-by-Step

When to Start Renewal

Begin renewal 2-4 weeks before expiry to avoid:

System blocks on visa applications
Daily late penalties (AED 50-100 per day)
Delays in employee visa renewals
Suspension of new investor visa Dubai applications

Pre-Renewal Checklist

Trade license renewed - immigration renewal depends on valid license

Ejari/lease renewed - must not be expired

MOHRE registration current (mainland companies)

All fines cleared - traffic, immigration, labour penalties paid

Company data updated - manager, address, legal name aligned

Step-by-Step Renewal Process

Step 1: Access Portal

Free zones: Log into zone portal (DMCC, JAFZA, SAIF Zone)
Mainland: Access GDRFA/ICP portal or typing center

Step 2: Submit Application

Navigate to establishment card section
Select "Renew" option
Verify company details

Step 3: Upload Documents

Renewed trade license (clear copy)
Updated Ejari/lease agreement
Manager's Emirates ID and passport
Existing establishment card details
Board resolution (if manager changed)

Step 4: Pay Fees

Dubai free zones: Approximately AED 500-1,500
Dubai mainland: Approximately AED 1,000-2,000
Abu Dhabi: Approximately AED 800-1,800
Sharjah: Approximately AED 600-1,500

Step 5: Approval & Issuance

Processing: typically 1-5 working days
Download renewed establishment card
Update compliance trackers

Step 6: Resume Visa Processing

Process pending employee visa Dubai applications
Submit investor visa and partner visa renewals
Lodge new family visa Dubai applications

Documents Required for Establishment Card Renewal

For Renewal (All UAE Emirates)

Document	Details
Trade License	Valid and renewed copy
Ejari/Lease	Updated tenancy (not expired)
Establishment Card	Existing card details
Manager's Documents	Emirates ID + passport + visa page
Clearance Certificate	No pending fines proof
Company Stamp	On authorization letter

For New Issuance

Trade license with correct activities
MOA/Articles of Association
Lease/Ejari matching license
Manager's passport, Emirates ID, photos
Shareholder passport and visa pages
Board resolution (if needed)
Specimen signature card

For Amendments

Company Name: Amended license + documents
Manager Change: New manager passport + Emirates ID + resolution
Address Change: Updated Ejari + amended license
Share Transfer: Amended MOA/certificates

Late Renewal Penalties & Consequences

What Happens If Card Expires?

Immediate Consequences:

All visa applications frozen
Cannot process employee visa renewals
Cannot issue new work visas Dubai
Daily fines accumulate (AED 50-100/day)

Penalty Structure

Emirate	Daily Fine	Impact
Dubai	AED 50-100/day	Visa freeze
Abu Dhabi	AED 50-100/day	MOHRE flag
Sharjah	AED 50-100/day	30-day buffer

Example: 30 days late = AED 1,500-3,000 in fines

How to Clear:

Pay accumulated fines via GDRFA/ICP
Ensure license and Ejari current
Submit renewal with clearance receipt
Processing: 3-7 days for expired cards

Common Amendments to Establishment Card

1. Company Name Change

Amend trade license first
Submit to GDRFA/ICP with resolution
Fee: Approximately AED 300-800
Timeline: 2-5 working days

2. Manager Change

Update license with new manager
Submit passport + Emirates ID + resolution
Fee: Approximately AED 500-1,000
Timeline: 2-4 working days

3. Address Relocation

Register new Ejari first
Amend license address
Update GDRFA immigration file
Fee: Approximately AED 300-800
Timeline: 3-5 working days

Why Apply with Dubai Visa Center

Comprehensive Support Across UAE

Whether your business operates in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, or UAQ, Dubai Visa Center provides:

Documentation audit - prevent rejections before submission

Coordinated renewals - synchronize license, Ejari, immigration, MOHRE

Fast-track processing - direct filing through correct authorities

Amendment management - manager, address, name changes

Post-approval support - employee visas, investor visas, family visas, Emirates ID

Multi-emirate expertise - navigate Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah differences

MOHRE coordination - labour file for mainland companies

24/7 support - urgent visa assistance

Disclaimer: Final approvals and fees determined solely by UAE authorities (GDRFA, ICP, DED).

Get Expert Help for Your Company Visas

Avoid costly delays and compliance pitfalls. Apply with Dubai Visa Center to open/renew your Immigration Establishment Card and process employee visas, investor visas, family visas smoothly across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and all UAE emirates — including support for renew establishment card Dubai, immigration card renewal, and all variations of company immigration card renewal Dubai.