Dubai Immigration Establishment Card (2026): Complete Guide for Free Zone & Mainland Companies

Setting up in Dubai? If you plan to hire employees, sponsor investors/partners, or process family visas, you need a valid Immigration Establishment Card. This guide explains what it is, who needs it, how to apply, renew, amend, and avoid penalties in 2026—for both free zone and mainland companies.

Need help opening your immigration file or sponsoring staff? Apply with Dubai Visa Center for compliant documentation and end-to-end support.

What Is an Immigration Establishment Card?

The Immigration Establishment Card (sometimes called an Immigration File/Company Card) is a permit issued under Dubai’s immigration system (GDRFA/ICP). It identifies your company as a sponsor so you can legally apply for:

• Employee visas (work/residence)

• Investor/partner visas

• Entry permits and related immigration services

• Family sponsorship via the company (where applicable)

Without an active card, your company cannot lodge new visa applications or renew existing ones through immigration.

Establishment Card vs. MOHRE Registration: Key Differences

• Immigration Establishment Card (GDRFA/ICP): Enables entry permits, residency, visa stamping, and sponsorship actions.

• MOHRE Establishment Registration (Labour): Enables labour contracts, quotas, work permits, and e-signature cards for mainland firms.

Many mainland companies need both: immigration (for visas) and MOHRE (for work permits/contracts). Free zone authorities often manage labour matters within the zone’s own system, but an immigration card is still required for visas/residency.

Who Needs an Establishment Card in Dubai?

• New companies (free zone or mainland) intending to sponsor employees/investors

• Firms planning to renew staff/partner visas

• Companies wishing to sponsor family members under company eligibility

• Entities making amendments (manager change, address, legal name) to immigration records

Free Zone vs. Mainland: How the Process Differs

Free Zone Companies

• The free zone authority typically helps create your immigration file once your trade license is issued.

• Application is usually digital within the zone’s portal; timelines are efficient.

• Some zones include immigration file fees in their setup/renewal packages; others charge separately.

Mainland/LLC/Professional Firms

• You (or your PRO/agent) apply directly via GDRFA/ICP channels for the immigration file (Establishment Card).

• You’ll also handle MOHRE registration for labour activities and work permits.

• Ejari (tenancy) and location details must be current.

Step-by-Step: How to Obtain a New Establishment Card (2026)

Prerequisites (Trade License, Lease/Ejari, etc.)

1. Valid Trade License (with correct activities and manager).

2. Office lease/Ejari (or free zone facility agreement) matching license details.

3. Company formation documents (MOA/AAO, share certificates as applicable).

4. Manager/Owner passport & Emirates ID (if available), photos, and mobile/email access.

Application Steps & Typical Timelines

1. Account/portal setup (free zone or GDRFA/ICP).

2. Complete establishment card form (company details, manager info, address).

3. Upload documents and pay the prescribed government fees.

4. Approval & issuance of the Immigration Establishment Card (physical or e-card).
   Indicative timelines: free zones commonly 1–5 working days; mainland may take a few working days, depending on completeness and clearances.

Required Documents Checklist

For New Issuance

• Trade License (clear copy)

• Memorandum/Articles (MOA/AAO) / Certificate of Formation (as applicable)

• Lease/Ejari or facility agreement

• Passport & Emirates ID of the licensed manager and/or local service agent/sponsor (if applicable)

• Passport & visa page of shareholders/partners (where required)

• Company stamp, authorisation letter/board resolution (if the signatory is not the manager)

• Specimen signature or e-signature card (mainland/MOHRE context)

For Renewal

• Valid Trade License (renewed)

• Updated lease/Ejari (no expiry overlaps)

• Existing Establishment Card details

• Clearance of fines (if any) and up-to-date company data

For Amendments (Name/Manager/Address)

• License amendment reflecting the change

• Supporting board resolution/amendment documents

• Passport/Emirates ID of new manager

• Updated lease/Ejari if address changed

Keep digital and hard-copy sets organised to accelerate approvals.

Validity, Fees & Processing Time (Indicative 2026)

• Validity: commonly 1 year (some authorities may allow 2–3 years—check your jurisdiction).

• Fees: vary by free zone vs. mainland and by service channel. Some zones bundle immigration file costs into setup/renewal packages; others charge separately.

• Processing time: typically 1–5 working days when documents are complete; more if amendments/clearances are needed.

Treat any fee figures as indicative; always reconfirm the live schedule before filing.

Renewal: When, How & Late Penalties

• Start 2–4 weeks before expiry to avoid system blocks or fines.

• Ensure your trade license and lease/Ejari are already renewed—immigration renewal depends on them.

• Late renewal can trigger daily penalties and may put visa actions on hold until cleared.

• After renewal, update internal trackers (license, MOHRE, immigration, lease) with the new dates.

Common Amendments & How to File Them

• Company name/legal form change: Amend the trade license first, then update immigration file.

• Manager change: Update license + submit new manager’s passport/Emirates ID to immigration.

• Address relocation: Update Ejari and license, then file immigration amendment.

• Share transfer: Keep copies of amended MOA/registry extracts for immigration records.

Lost/Damaged Card: Replacement Process

• File a replacement request through your portal with a declaration/letter on company letterhead.

• Provide ID documents of the authorised signatory and pay replacement fee.

• For e-cards/virtual cards, download a fresh certificate after approval and circulate internally.

Compliance Pitfalls & How to Avoid Fines

• Letting the card expire: freezes visa actions and can attract daily fines.

• Mismatch in data (license vs. immigration): causes rejections and delays—keep records aligned.

• Uncleared fines (traffic/immigration/labour): can block filings—clear outstanding amounts before renewal.

• Outdated signatory: if the manager changed, update immigration before lodging new visas.

• Incorrect tenancy/Ejari: expired or mismatched addresses trigger system holds.

Pro Tip: Maintain a compliance calendar for license, Ejari, MOHRE, immigration, and insurance dates.

Why Apply with Dubai Visa Center

• Documentation audit to prevent rejections and fines

• Coordinated renewals (license → Ejari → immigration → MOHRE)

• Fast-track filings via the correct authority/portal

• Post-approval support (staff/investor/family visas, Emirates ID, medical fitness, stamping)

Disclaimer: Approvals and fees are determined solely by UAE authorities.

CTA: Get Expert Help for Your Company & Staff Visas

Avoid costly delays and compliance pitfalls.
Apply with Dubai Visa Center to open/renew your Immigration Establishment Card and process employee/investor/family visas smoothly.

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