QUICK FACTS
Address: Al Rowaiyah 3, near Dubai-Hatta Road (E44), Dubai
Superior Body: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai
Other Names: GDRFA Al Aweer / GDRFA Awir Branch
Phone Number: 800 5111
Imagine such a situation: you spend your entire day to come to Al Rowaiyah, and then suddenly realize that you’ve probably came to the wrong place. Surrounded by at least a dozen people, who are equally confused, as all of them are going through files and papers, and asking one another about the right address or opening hours, and nowhere on the Internet you can find the official information about the problem…
When you search on the internet for ‘Al Awir Immigration Office Dubai, it usually means that you need visa, resident status or any sponsorships procedure. But what you definitely don’t need is at least ten different web-sites and opinions about the right address and opening hours of this facility. This guide gathers all the information you may need on one page. You will find out the correct address, opening hours, list of services, required documents, as well as the transport recommendations of locals.
At the end of the article you will visit the Al Awir Immigration Office completely prepared and leave it with your issue solved, and not vice versa.
What is Al Awir Immigration Office Dubai Office?
QUICK ANSWER
The Al Awir Immigration Office DubaiOffice is a governmental organization operating according to the power of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai. The main functions include issuing, renewal and modification of the visa and residence permit, as well as entering permit and family sponsorship of individuals in Dubai.
As you can see, this facility is called in many ways – Al Awir, Al Aweer or the GDRFA Awir branch. No matter how you call it, it is the same office, managed by the same governing body, whose main mission is the following: providing services regarding all kinds of issues related to the residents and business visas and resident status.
That is why there are so many visitors of the office each day. It works as a one-stop shop for renewing dependent visa, sponsoring spouses/children/parents, clearing fines and modifying the visa status and much more.
Location of Al Awir Immigration Office Dubai Office & How to Get There
Exact Address
The Al Awir Immigration Office Dubaiis located in Al Rowaiyah 3, near Dubai-Hatta Road (E44), Dubai. Or in other words, it is near Al Aweer industrial zone and Al Aweer Police Station.
How to Get to the Office by Car
Driving is the easiest way to get there, especially since the office is quite distant from central Dubai. Drive along the E44 (Dubai-Hatta Road) to Al Rowaiyah 3, and enter your destination into the GPS system in advance.
How to Get to the Office by Public Transport
One fact which is not mentioned in most of the guides is that there is no metro station near the facility. So if you want to get there using public transport, then you have to take Dubai Metro Red Line to Centrepoint Station, and then transfer to RTA Bus 11A, or simply take a taxi. Keep in mind that the route will take you about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the traffic.
Parking Information
There is parking near the office, but it is limited and is often full during the morning rush hours. So if you come after 9 AM, then expect to drive for a while, or to park in overflow parking which is a bit distant from the entrance.
Opening Hours ofAl Awir Immigration Office Dubai (Timings)
Knowing the exact opening hours of the facility prior to the visit saves you from wasting your entire day. The opening hours are listed below, but it is better to contact the GDRFA helpline prior to your visit as they can differ.
Day / Period Opening Hours Notes
Sunday – Thursday Government office opening hours (usually morning till early afternoon) The office closes as soon as the daily quotas are run out
Friday – Saturday Closed UAE weekend
Ramadan Reduced opening hours Verify in advance with the GDRFA helpline
Public Holidays Closed or modified Verify in advance
INSIDER TIP
Visit the office between 7:00 and 9:00 AM to avoid queues. Morning visits, especially from 10 AM to 1 PM, will involve a great number of visitors.
Services Provided by Al Awir Immigration Office Dubai
The facility provides many immigration services, which explains the great number of its visitors. The following are the services you can perform in the facility:
- VISA ISSUING – issuance of new residency visa or visa renewal
- RESIDENCE PERMIT – issuance, update or renewal
- ENTRY PERMITS – issuance for work and residence in the UAE
- DEPENDENT SPONSORSHIP – spouses, children, parents
- VISA CHANGES – switching from tourist visa to residency/employment visa
- VISAS PENALTIES CLEARING
- EMIRATES ID-RELATED PROCEDURES TIED WITH RESIDENCY VISA RENEWAL
Documents Required for the Visit to Al Awir Immigration Office Dubai
General List of the Required Documents
Regardless of the service you visit the office for, the following documents are always required:
- Original passport, valid for at least six months, and photocopies
- Emirates ID (if issued)
- Passport size photo
- Reference number received upon submitting the application
Additional List of the Documents for Dependent Sponsorship
- Marriage certificate (attested) (spousal sponsorship)
- Birth certificate (attested) (child sponsorship)
- Salary certificate and bank statements (to prove the financial stability)
- Ejari certificate proving accommodation for the sponsored individual (parental sponsorship)
- DEWA utility bill as a proof of residence
List of the Documents Required for the Fines Clearing
- Original passport
- Number of your immigration file/reference details
VERIFY BEFORE YOU VISIT
The requirements of the documents can change quite unexpectedly, as well as the exact amount of fines. Verify your exact list of documents with the GDRFA helpline (800 5111) or authorized Amer center prior to your visit.
How to Schedule the Appointment or Skip the Queue
You definitely don’t have to visit the office in person to perform all kinds of procedures. The following are the tips you can use to save your morning:
Amer Centers and Typing Centers
Authorized Amer centers and typing centers can prepare all your paperwork and submit your application on your behalf, having extended working hours compared to the government office.
GDRFA Website
If you need to check your visa status or perform visa renewal or pay a fine for visa infringement, then the GDRFA website allows you to do that online without visiting the office.
Your Company PRO or an Authorized Representative
If you are sponsored by a company, then your company’s PRO can perform many of the procedures for you. Any individual can also appoint another individual as his/her representative to submit your application.
Tips for Successful Visit toAl Awir Immigration Office Dubai
- Visit the office in the morning, preferably before 9 AM, to avoid queues
- Gather the original copies and photocopies of all the required documents in advance
- Verify the required documents for your particular case prior to the visit
- Dress decently – it is a governmental facility, and your appearance does matter
- Have a debit or credit card with you – cash payments are not accepted there
- Perform the necessary medical tests prior to the visit if required
Nearby Amenities
As your visit to this facility may take much time, it is helpful to know what’s around you:
- Nearby mosques and prayer rooms for having a break during your waiting
- Nearby typing centers and photocopiers for preparing your documents
- ATMs and small cafes for getting some money or food
- Parking attendants for directing you to the overflow parking areas
Comparison of Al Awir and Al Awir Immigration Office Dubai – When to Use Which One?
In case you are not sure whether you should visit Al Awir or not, then here is the comparison of these two facilities:
Feature Al Awir (Al Aweer) Immigration Office Al Jafiliya Immigration Office
Address Al Rowaiyah 3, near Dubai-Hatta Road (E44) Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, Bur Dubai
Direct Metro Access Not available; takes about 30-45 minutes to reach via bus/taxi Available via Al Jafiliya Metro Station
Recommended For All applicants seeking general visa/residency/family sponsorship and fines-related
services Applicants based in central Dubai needing metro accessCrowds Levels Moderate, especially in
mornings Moderate, but mainly coming from central DubaiIn short, both facilities provide pretty much the same services, but location and the transport play the crucial role in choosing which office to use.
Where is the Al Awir Immigration Office located?
The office is located in Al Rowaiyah 3, near Dubai-Hatta Road (E44), Dubai.
What are the opening hours ofAl Awir Immigration Office Dubai?
It operates according to the regular UAE government schedule, but can be modified during Ramadan and public holidays. Verify the opening hours with GDRFA helpline prior to the visit.
Can I get to the Al Awir Immigration Office Dubaie by metro?
There is no direct metro connection; take the Red Line to Centrepoint Station, and continue via RTA Bus 11A or taxi.
What documents do I need for visa renewal at the Al Awir Immigration Office Dubai?
You will need your original passport, Emirates ID (if issued), a copy of your current visa, a passport photo, and a medical certificate if your visa renewal requires it. Requirements can differ for each case individually, so verify them prior to the visit.
Can I have someone else process my immigration documents on my behalf?
Yes, it can be done by your company’s PRO or an authorized representative if you have the correct documentation.
Conclusion
TheAl Awir Immigration Office Dubai plays a vital role in organizing residents, families and businesses in Dubai in terms of immigration procedures. It provides a variety of immigration-related services under one roof.
Having the correct documents, knowing the exact opening hours and the right transport plan (especially in case of lack of metro access), your visit there will be easy. Just a little preparation helps a lot here.
Prior to the visit, bookmark this page to verify the opening hours and document requirements just prior to your visit. If you need to complete your documents via Amer or typing center, read our relevant guide.
Read Also: Jafiliya Immigration Dubai
