Do you have to visit Dubai every 6 months if you hold an Emirates ID/residence visa?

Yes! For most visa/residence holders, you must avoid being outside the UAE for more than 6 consecutive months. The official portal confirms that “residence visa holders” who stay outside the UAE for more than six months continuously will have their residence visa nullified.

This means even if your Emirates ID (identity card) has not expired, your residency status may be cancelled if you do not re-enter within six months. Having said that, there is a mechanism (introduced by the authorities) for applying for a “re-entry permit” if you have stayed abroad for 6 months or more, under certain conditions like medical reasons, employment abroad, study, etc. 

For some special visa categories (e.g. long-term “golden-type” visas), there may be different permissible rules, but for standard visas, plan to return at least once within each 6-month window.

What happens if you don’t enter within 6 months?

If the person stays outside the UAE for more than 180 days ~ 6 months, the residence visa gets nullified. After which, if you apply re-entry permit, then a penalty of AED 100 30 per day will be imposed.

Types of Visa/Permits in Dubai, UAE

Here’s a breakdown of common visa/resident-permit categories people use, depending on their purpose (work, business, family, long-term residency, etc).

What’s the difference between mainland, free-zone (free-zone company), and residence visas?

• “Mainland” or “free-zone” typically refers to the company setup structure/business license jurisdiction. Whether someone is employed or owns a company in the mainland or free zone doesn’t necessarily change the fact that their visa/residence is still governed by the UAE’s residency/immigration laws (including the 6-month outside rule).
  
• So whether a visa is tied to a mainland company or a free-zone business, the residency obligations remain.
  
• Free-zone or self-employment visas (freelance / Green) give more flexibility (no need for employer sponsorship)
  
• Long-term visas (Golden Visa / investor-type) may come with more relaxed residency or exit/re-entry rules (see next section)
  

Residency & Outside UAE | What Happens with Different Visa Types

• For standard residence visas (work, investor, freelance, dependent, etc), staying outside the UAE continuously for over 6 months will normally cancel the visa, meaning re-entry on that visa will not be permitted.
  
• There are some exceptions (for example, sponsored family of Emiratis, government-sent abroad, medical reasons, etc,) though these are limited and specific
  
• As of 2023, authorities introduced a “re-entry permit” service for some residents outside the UAE for over six months, provided they apply through the official portals/typing centres, and justify their absence (work abroad, study, medical treatment, etc)
  
• For “special long-term visas” like the Golden Visa / equivalent investor/residency-permit routes, many sources state that such visas allow greater flexibility regarding time outside the UAE compared to standard visas
  

Free Zone vs Mainland Visa Costs | Complete Comparison Table

View all pricing and eligibility details here

Key Takeaways

Understanding UAE visa rules isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s what protects your residency status, your business, and your long-term plans in the country. The six-month rule often catches people off guard, and many don’t realise that a simple oversight can lead to an automatic visa cancellation. Add to that the different visa types, varying costs across emirates, and the shifting regulatory landscape might be overwhelming.

Here’s the thing, You don’t have to navigate any of this alone.

Arnifi steps in as the partner who simplifies the entire process. Whether you’re applying for a new visa, renewing an existing one, updating your Emirates ID, managing dependents’ visas, or ensuring your business-related residency stays compliant, we guide you end-to-end. We help you choose the right visa pathway, keep you updated on rule changes, and handle the paperwork so you don’t risk delays or cancellations.

What this really means is that you can focus on your life or your business in the UAE while we manage the details behind the scenes.

If you want clarity, smooth renewals, and peace of mind around your residency, Arnifi has you covered. Get a free consultation now!