Company immigration card renewal in Dubai
In Dubai, a Company Immigration Card (CIC), also known as a Company Labour Card or Company Establishment Card (CEC), is a document issued to companies and businesses operating in the emirate.
It serves as official documentation that the company is registered and authorised to conduct business activities in Dubai. It is issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs for mainland companies and by the relevant free zone authority for companies operating within a free zone.
The main purpose of the company immigration card is to demonstrate that the business is compliant with UAE regulations and has met the requirements to operate legally in the country. It indicates that the company is eligible to employ expatriate workers and that it has fulfilled its obligations concerning labour laws.
The immigration/labour card has a validity period of one year if issued by a free zone authority, whereas mainland business immigration cards are issued for three years.
Renewal of the company immigration card is essential to ensure that you remain in compliance with UAE labour laws and regulations and avoid potential fines, penalties, or other legal consequences. It should be done in advance of its expiry date to allow the time necessary to complete the process and for you to gather and prepare all the necessary documentation.
How do you renew the UAE immigration/labour card?
Renewal of the labour card can be done online, through the eDNRD or AMER portals. These are online platforms established by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) that provide services related to visa applications, renewals, permits, and other residency-related matters. To obtain access to the SmartGDRFA online facility for your company you will have to pay a fee of AED 1725 per year. Alternatively, you can renew the company immigration card at any of the Amer centres located around Dubai. The online renewal process is as follows:
- Obtain all necessary documents. This includes:
- Trade licence
- The existing immigration card
- Passport copies of the owner and authorised signatories
- Owner’s educational certification, legalised and notarised
- Passport copy of local agent/sponsor (if applicable)
- Owner and sponsor’s passport photos
- Copy of company lease agreement
- Memorandum of Association and passport copies for all company partners (for LLC)
- Submit online application via eDNRD or AMER portal and upload requested documents.
- Pay fees online through eDNRD/AMER portals.
- Submit application for approval.
- Once the application is approved, an electronic copy will be made available through eDNRD/AMER.
How much does it cost to renew the company immigration card?
The cost for renewing the company immigration card varies depending on the jurisdiction where your company is established. For free zone registered companies, the fee is between AED 650 and AED 1,500 depending on the free zone, and for mainland registered businesses, it is approximately AED 5,000.
How long does it take to receive the new immigration card?
The process generally takes 48 hours from submission of the application to issuance of the new card. However, it is possible to pay an additional fee for urgent applications and receive the card right away.
How can Global Link help?
Global Link has over 16 years’ experience working with local and global businesses, providing bespoke consultancy services for company incorporation in Dubai and the wider UAE.
We can help you with renewal of your company immigration card, assisting with gathering and organising all the necessary documents and ensuring that all the required paperwork is complete and accurate. We can then submit the renewal application on your behalf ensuring compliance with all requirements. We can also track renewal deadlines moving forward to ensure that any future applications are submitted well before the expiration date to avoid any disruptions in your business operations.
If you need advice on company immigration card renewal or any other company incorporation, visa or PRO service, please get in touch with us on +971 4 553 9901 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.