A company's immigration file in Dubai: establishment card and PRO card

Before a Dubai company can sponsor residence visas, it needs an establishment card from GDRFA Dubai. This is the company's immigration file. It is separate from the company's file at MOHRE (for work permits): a mainland company needs both, while a free-zone company deals with its free zone for work permits but still has a GDRFA establishment card.

To issue the card, GDRFA asks for a copy of the partners' names appendix of the trade licence, passport copies of the authorised signatories and, when a manager applies, an authorisation certified by the notary public. Special entities such as boats, stables, farms, charities, hotels, clubs, churches and consulates need extra approvals. The official fees are AED 200 plus 5% VAT, Knowledge and Innovation Dirhams (AED 10 each), a AED 50 service fee and a AED 100 urgent fee, plus AED 100 if submitted at an Amer centre; the page also says the card costs AED 100 per year. GDRFA states 48 hours.

When the trade licence changes (new trade name, partner joins or leaves), the card is amended online only (AED 100 plus VAT, 10, 10 and 50). When the licence is renewed, renew the card too: an expired card blocks new visas, renewals and cancellations for all staff, and GDRFA warns of a AED 100 fine for every month the card is not renewed.

A company can also give an employee a representative (PRO) card so that person can follow its GDRFA transactions. The PRO must be resident on that company's own sponsorship, and GDRFA asks for a letter from the authorised authority and a criminal investigation (good conduct) certificate; GDRFA lists only collection commissions for it.

Staff of the centre check which of these files your company already has before starting any visa.