Your UAE residence visa renewal requires proof of accommodation — and that proof is your Ejari-registered tenancy contract. Here's exactly what you need, in what order.
What the GDRFA actually needs
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) — the immigration authority — requires for residence visa renewal:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Current Emirates ID
- Recent photo (white background)
- Medical fitness certificate
- Health insurance (mandatory)
- **Tenancy contract registered on Ejari** ← this guide
- Sponsorship documents (if applicable)
- GDRFA application fee
Why Ejari registration is non-negotiable for visa renewal
GDRFA does NOT accept:
- Custom-drafted lease agreements (not registered on Ejari)
- Hotel apartment confirmations (unless tied to a registered contract)
- Verbal rental agreements
- Expired Ejari certificates (must be current)
- Tenancy contracts pending Ejari registration
Only a valid, current Ejari certificate proving you live at a specific Dubai address qualifies.
The visa renewal sequence (in order)
1
Generate your tenancy contract
Free at tenancycontract.com — 3 minutes. AI auto-fills the official DLD Unified Tenancy Contract from your title deed and Emirates ID.
2
Both parties sign
Wet-ink signatures on every page of two printed copies.
3
Register Ejari
Via Dubai REST app — Services → Ejari → Register Ejari Contract. Upload signed contract + Emirates IDs + title deed + DEWA bill. Pay AED 220. Certificate issued within 30 minutes.
4
Connect DEWA + chiller
Required by some visa types. AED 2,000-4,000 deposit, activation within 24 hours.
5
Visit medical centre
For the medical fitness test required for visa renewal. Bring your Emirates ID and passport.
6
Apply for visa renewal via GDRFA / Amer
Submit Ejari certificate + medical + insurance + photos + fees. Online via Dubai REST app or in person at a GDRFA centre.
What if my landlord refuses to register Ejari?
By default, Ejari registration is the tenant's responsibility — you don't need the landlord's permission to register. You only need:
- Signed copy of the tenancy contract (both parties)
- Landlord's Emirates ID copy
- Title deed copy
- Your Emirates ID
- A recent DEWA bill for the unit
Get these documents during signing — without them, Ejari registration cannot proceed and your visa renewal stalls.
For the full Ejari registration walkthrough, see our complete Ejari guide.