Amer filings —
GDRFA residency, on rails.
Every UAE residency transaction in Dubai goes through GDRFA Amer centres as of 2026: visa stamping, family sponsorship, dependant additions, Emirates ID coordination. YABS files within 4 working hours.
- Per-transaction
- AED 350+
- Provider
- GDRFA Dubai
- Turnaround
- 1–7 working days
- Coverage
- Dubai
Definition — Amer Services
Amer is the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai's approved network of typing centres for residency-related transactions. Amer handles visa applications, residency stamping, family sponsorship, dependant additions, visa renewals, and Emirates ID coordination. Abu Dhabi uses ICP Smart Services for equivalent transactions. YABS files Amer transactions on your behalf via Establishment Card authorisation — no in-person visit required.
What flows through Amer.
Each transaction has its own GDRFA fee, processing window, and applicant requirement. YABS price excludes the government fee, billed at cost.
| Transaction | Government fee | Processing | Applicant in person? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment entry permit (issued from outside UAE) | AED 700 | 3–5 working days | No |
| Status change (visit visa → residency in-country) | AED 1,000 | 5–7 working days | No (signature only) |
| Residency visa stamping (after medical + EID) | AED 1,100 | 2–3 working days | No (passport courier) |
| Family entry permit (spouse / child) | AED 700/dependant | 5–7 working days | No |
| Visa cancellation (employment / investor) | AED 100 | 2–3 working days | No |
| Out-of-country residency renewal (e-visa) | AED 1,100 + AED 100 service | 5–7 working days | No (e-visa delivery) |
| Lost passport replacement coordination | Variable + consulate fees | 7–14 working days | Yes (consulate visit) |
| EID coordination (biometrics + delivery) | AED 200 (2-year) | Same-day biometrics, 5–7 days delivery | Yes (biometrics) |
5 steps to amer services.
File request via YABS portal
Specify residency action: new visa, renewal, dependant addition, cancellation, status change. Upload required documents.
YABS PRO submits to Amer centre
Within 4 working hours. YABS pays Amer government fee at cost.
GDRFA processes application
Standard residency 5–10 working days; premium expedited 1–2 working days. Pre-approval status visible in YABS portal.
Medical fitness + Emirates ID biometrics scheduled
YABS books medical fitness slot at DHA-approved centre and Emirates ID biometric appointment at ICP centre. Applicant attends in person.
Visa stamping in passport
After medical pass + Emirates ID biometrics, residency visa stamped in passport. e-visa option also available for travel-on-the-go.
Where people get this wrong.
Pulled from 500+ YABS engagements. Each pitfall has a knock-on cost in time or AED — knowing them up front is half the value of using a PRO.
Filing entry permit before MOHRE work permit (Tasheel) is approved
Cost: GDRFA rejects; AED 700 entry-permit fee burned; 3–5 day delay re-applying
YABS fix: We sequence Tasheel → Amer in a single workflow — entry permit is filed only after MOHRE approval is in hand.
Travelling to UAE on a tourist visa expecting in-country status change
Cost: Status change fees (AED 1,000) plus visit-visa overstay risk if delayed
YABS fix: We confirm the entry-permit pathway upfront — most nationalities are better served by an out-of-country employment entry permit.
Forgetting to cancel the previous residency before issuing a new one
Cost: MOHRE quota tie-up; new visa filing rejected; ex-employer can refuse cancellation
YABS fix: We obtain the cancellation paper from the previous sponsor before initiating any new entry permit.
Using ICP Smart Services for Dubai-based applicants
Cost: Process initiated on the wrong platform; delays + reissue fees
YABS fix: Dubai applicants → Amer/GDRFA. Other emirates → ICP. We confirm the correct channel by emirate of residence at intake.
Document checklist.
- Original passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Photo (white background, recent)
- Trade licence + Establishment Card (for company-sponsored visas)
- Tenancy agreement + Ejari (for family sponsorship)
- Salary certificate (for family sponsorship — minimum AED 4,000/month)
- Marriage certificate, attested (for spouse sponsorship)
- Birth certificate, attested (for child sponsorship)
What you actually pay.
| Item | AED |
|---|---|
GDRFA Amer typing fee Government fee — pass-through | 200 |
GDRFA visa stamping fee (employment, 2-year) Pass-through. Renewal pricing same. | 1,100 |
Medical fitness fee (DHA) | 320 |
Emirates ID fee (2-year) | 200 |
| Government fees subtotal | 1,820 |
| YABS service fee | 350 |
| 5% VAT (on YABS service fee) | 18 |
| Total | 2,188 |
Government fees vary by activity and approval requirements. Final quote confirmed after activity selection.
Frequently asked questions
What is Amer in Dubai?
Amer is the GDRFA Dubai approved typing centre network for residency-related transactions. Every Dubai residency visa application — new, renewal, family sponsorship, cancellation — goes through Amer centres as of 2026. Equivalent service in other emirates is ICP Smart Services. YABS files Amer transactions on behalf of clients without requiring in-person visits.
How long does an Amer transaction take?
Standard residency visa via Amer: 5–10 working days from filing to passport stamp. Premium expedited service (additional fee): 1–2 working days. Family visa applications add 5–7 days for medical fitness and Emirates ID biometrics. Cancellations process in 3–5 working days.
Difference between Amer and ICP Smart Services?
Amer is Dubai's GDRFA approved typing network. ICP Smart Services is the federal Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security platform used in Abu Dhabi and other emirates for residency. Both achieve similar outcomes; Amer is for Dubai-based applicants, ICP for the rest of UAE. YABS handles both.
Can YABS file Amer for non-residents?
Yes. YABS prepares the entire residency application from your home country before you travel. Amer filing happens once you arrive on entry permit. Total timeline: 14 working days from start to residency stamp + Emirates ID, including the 3–5 day in-UAE component for medical and biometrics.
Also useful.
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This page was last reviewed by the YABS compliance team in Q2 2026 and reflects current Dubai DED, Dubai Municipality, DHA, MOHRE, FTA, and DLD requirements.