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Sharjah, one of the 7 Emirates of the UAE, is popularly acknowledged for its cultural heritage. This makes the city earn the title “Cultural Capital of the Arab World” from UNESCO. It is one of the outstanding places to go for a memorable vacation. But whether you are a tourist, expat, or resident, dealing with governmental procedures related to immigration can sometimes be too hectic. So, here we are with the information related to the Sharjah Immigration Office, as it would help you if you have any passport, visa, residency, or any other similar kind of issue. 

In Sharjah, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs (GDRFA) is the main bureau that handles visas, passports, residency, and other services. If you are a resident looking for a visa renewal, a tourist dealing with some documentation, or someone arranging family visas, Sharjah Immigration is the right place to go. Other facilities provided in this immigration office are visa stamping, residence permit renewals, visa cancellations, paying fines, and so on. The main office of immigration in Sharjah is situated in the Al Rahmaniya area. 

You might also be directed towards an approved typing center or the closest Amer Center, depending on what service you need. In short, the GDRFA Sharjah plays a pivotal role in providing comfortable, lawful, and easygoing arrangements to stay in the UAE. 

Sharjah Immigration Office

Location and Contact

Full Address: GDRFA Sharjah - Immigration Department, Airport Street, Bridge No. 6, Al Rahmaniya Area, Sharjah, UAE.

Phone Number:

• Toll Free: 600522222

Email:  [email protected] (General enquiries)

Office Timings:

• Monday to Thursday: 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
• Friday: 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• Saturday & Sunday: Closed

How to Reach the Sharjah Immigration Office?

To reach the Sharjah Immigration Office, here are some ways:

• By Taxi: To reach the Sharjah Immigration, you can hire a taxi or book a ride from Careem or Uber (ride-hailing apps). This is the fastest but expensive way to reach the office directly. 
• By Bus: Take E‑series buses like E303, E307, E307A, E315, E306, E308 to Sharjah’s Al Jubail Bus Station. From here, you can take the SRTA local bus or a taxi to the immigration office.

Note: Sharjah currently does not have an operational metro system.

Services Available at Sharjah Immigration Office

Let us learn about what the Sharjah Immigration Department can help you with:

1. Visa Stamping: If you get your new residence visa approved, then it needs to be stamped officially on your passport. As this process is important to validate your visa, stamping is done at the Sharjah immigration office. 

2. Residence Visa Renewal: If your residence visa is about to expire, then you need to renew it. For residence visa renewal, you have to visit the Sharjah immigration Office. Also, you must have medical fitness reports and Emirates ID renewal documents. 

3. Visa Cancellation: If you are leaving the UAE permanently or changing jobs/employers, you need to get your visa cancelled. You, your sponsor, or PRO can visit the immigration office to cancel a visa, or even do this process online in many cases. 

4. Overstay Fine Payment: You will be fined if you have stayed longer than you are allowed, as per your visa. This penalty should be paid at the immigration office. Always check any penalties before renewing or canceling your visa.

5. Sponsorship & Dependent Visa Processing: Are you planning to bring your spouse, parents, or kids? Or you want to sponsor a domestic worker, such as a labourer, driver, or maid, the Sharjah immigration office will help you in:

• New sponsorship applications
• Renewing dependent visas
• Making changes to existing visas

6. Entry Permit Services: If your family, relative, or household staff are coming to Sharjah, they require authorization to enter. So you can directly apply for an entry permit at the immigration office or get it through approved typing centers. 

Tips for Visitors

Here are some tips every Sharjah Immigration Office visitor should keep in mind:

• It is recommended to visit early, before 10 AM, as the office starts getting crowded or busier after that. To avoid long waiting, you must visit earlier.

• Keep your required documents, such as your passport, Emirates ID, passport-sized photos, and any visa or sponsorship papers, handy, ready, and with you.

• As it is a government office, not a tourist spot, it is advised to wear modest clothes. Avoid wearing sleeveless, revealing, and short outfits. 

• Always remember that no payments in the Sharjah Immigration Office are accepted in cash. Whether you have to pay for visa services or fines, you must pay through debit or credit cards. 

• To save your trip to the immigration office by using online services when possible. For this, you can use the UAE ICP app or Amer online services.

• Try to pay the penalty or fine amount as soon as possible to get saved from legal problems. 

Final Checklist

• Original passport and copies

• Emirates ID

• Passport-sized photo

• Valid debit or credit card

• Any required visa or sponsorship documents

• Dress modestly and arrive early

Conclusion

The Sharjah immigration office offers various services, whether you want a stamp on your Sharjah visa or you want to go for visa renewal, the immigration office provides everything. Reaching the Sharjah immigration office, it is required for travellers to know about the timings, how payments for the visa can be made, and what documents to carry. You don’t need to worry about anything as the Sharjah immigration office handles everything and offers a hassle-free service. 

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) plays a key role in immigration, residency, and visa processing for both individuals and businesspersons. This is the authorised government entity aligned with overseeing visa as well as the residency services, while ensuring the smooth integration of visitors from around the world. The two main branches of GDRFA are the Awir immigration and the AL Jafiliya immigration, both offering different services like the visa stamping, residency permit updates, renewals, status changes, and more.  

The visitors include residents who are visiting for renewals or updates related to their status, new arrivals needing to interact with GDRFA for visa issuance, or the sponsors handling family visas. The immigration office in Dubai location depends on where you live and what kind of services you are looking for. Whether you are moving ahead to Jafiliya immigration or the Awir, the guide below covers what visa services are offered, office location, and how to reach the immigration office. 

AL Jafilia Immigration Office 

Location And Contact

The AL Jafilia is the main branch of GDRFA and is centrally located for easy accessibility. 

• Full Address: Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, behind Jafilia Police Station in Bur Dubai. 

• Phone: The immigration office contact in Dubai is 8005111 (Toll-free and for enquiries inside the UAE) and +97143139999 (For enquiries from outside the UAE).

Office Timings

• Sunday To Thursday: 7:30 AM- 8:00 PM

• Friday and Saturday: Closed

How To Reach 

You can reach the Jafilia Dubai immigration office in the following ways: -

1. By Metro: One of the convenient ways to reach this Dubai visa office is by metro. Take the red line to Jafiliya metro station, and then have a short walk to the office. 
2. By Bus: Various bus routes are there that run through the AL Jafiliya area, including route 21, 27, 29, 88, and X22. 
3. By Car: If you prefer a private vehicle, then you can travel directly to the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street by car and park your car in the nearby parking areas. There are paid parking zones, and the rate depends on the zone and duration. 

Services Available 

1. Visa Stamping: Looking for the best Dubai visa stamping office, then the AL Jafilia is at the top. This service includes the process of officially subscribing a visa on a passport, while allowing legal entry and residency in the UAE. 
2. Residence Visa Renewal: These services are provided by the Jafilia immigration as they coordinate the issuance and renewal of residency permits. You can either visit the nearby Amer Centre, Dubai, or use the online platform for convenience. 
3. Visa Cancellation: You can request cancellation at AL Jafilia, as it offers these services for all the residence permits. 
4. Overstay Fine Payment: You can visit the Jafiliya immigration office to enquire about the overstay fines and pay all immigration related fines. 
5. Sponsorship/ Dependents Processing: At Jafiliya immigration, the sponsorship service is included specifically for family members of UAE residents. 

Tips For Visitors 

1. The best time to visit the AL Jafilia immigration office is early morning or at weekends. During this time, the office is less crowded and you can easily access the services. 
2. Before visiting the immigration office, ensure that you have documents ready with you with accurate details. You should have documents like a valid passport, hotel bookings, confirmed flight return tickets, and more. 
3. It will be beneficial for you to use the online portal, like Amer, for services like fine inquiry and request status checks to save time. 

AL Awir Immigration Office 

Location And Contact

• Full Address: The AL Awir immigration location is 83, Dubai Hatta Road, AL Rowaiyah 3, Dubai. 

• Phone: 8005111 (Toll Free Number) and +9718005111

Office Timings

• This Dubai immigration timing is 6:00 AM- 8:00 PM (All days of the week)

How To Reach 

You can reach the AL Awir immigration location through various transportation options, and below is the list: -

1. By Bus: You can take a bus from the stadium Metro bus stop 1 to the Central Point Metro Bus station. From here, there is approximately a 45-minute distance to reach AL Awir Immigration by bus. 
2. By Subway: From the central Dubai locations, take the subway (Metro) to the Central Point Metro station, which further transfers to the RTA Bus 11 to reach the immigration office. 
3. By Taxi: This is a convenient transportation option, as you can hire a taxi from the stadium Metro station 1 to the AL Awir immigration option. 

Services Available

1. Visa Renewal: The Awir immigration office offers a visa renewal service for extending the validity of your UAE residency visa. You just need to provide certain documents in the office, including a valid passport, photograph, medical certificate if applicable and Emirates ID. 
2. Cancellation: If you are leaving a job or leaving the country, you can request cancellation, which will be processed before the new visa is issued. 
3. New Entry Stamping: This service applies to individuals who are entering the UAE on a new residency visa. Once your Emirates ID application is accepted, the AL Awir will provide you with the residency visa, which will be stamped in your passport. 
4. Overstay and Fine payments: If you have overstayed in the country crossing the visa validity or there are delayed renewals, you can make a payment at the AL Awir immigration office, and the staff will help you if you have any queries related to the calculation of the amount due. 

Tips For Visitors 

1. Before reaching the AL Awir immigration office, you must confirm the operating hours and plan your transportation accordingly. 
2. Carry all the necessary documents, including your passport with a validity of at least 6 months, a recent passport-sized photograph, and any additional supporting documents such as hotel booking slips or relevant evidence. 
3. If you face any penalties or fines, inquire about the amount and resolve them to avoid legal issues. 

Final Tips and Checklist 

• The Dubai immigration offices are government-authorised, so when reaching them, you must dress modestly and show respect. To make a good impression, avoid wearing casual clothes and comply with the rules. 
• The immigration offices do not accept cash payments, so ensure that you make the payment through a card. You must have a debit or credit card with you, whether you need to pay the fees or the fines. 
• The ideal time to visit the office is early mornings, as there are fewer crowds and you don’t have to wait for a long time. 
• Bring all the official documents with you, including a copy of your passport, an Emirates ID, photograph, as these documents are checked for identification.

Dubai, a global travel destination is combined with luxurious shopping areas, world-class entertainment and top attractions. As technology is getting advanced, the Dubai payment methods are also getting enhanced and there are lots of Dubai payment options including credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers or any other smart apps. The country’s aim to become a smart economy has led to a flow in cashless transactions and this makes it easier for tourists to make any payment. This blog will guide you about the different tourist payment options UAE, how to choose the right payment method and the safety tips for both cash and digital payment transactions. 

How Do Tourists Pay In Dubai?

Credit And Debit Cards

To make payments in Dubai, tourists use debit and credit cards as this is convenient whether you are dining at a restaurant, shopping in malls, travelling in taxis or visiting some other attractive destinations. The widely accepted cards in Dubai include the Master card, Visa and American express card. 

Mobile Payment Options And Digital Wallets

The digital wallets payment method is used by tourists including Google Pay, Careem Pay, Apple Pay, Paylt, Etisalat and Klip. These payment methods allow all tourists to make seamless payment transactions and is a most secure way to complete online payments. By using Klip, there are advanced security features like voice activated payments and biometric banking and this payment method is in collaboration with 15 UAE national banks and reduces the cash circulation. 

Cash Transactions

While Dubai is moving towards more digital payment options, you can use cash for transactions but it will be great if you use cash for small amounts of payment. Tourists pay through cash at street shops, public transportation like taxis, souks or small cafes. 

Top Payment Methods in the UAE for Tourists

Cash Payments In The UAE

Despite the UAE move towards a cashless economy, cash payment is still the oldest and convenient method especially in certain situations. The official currency of Dubai is United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) and tourists have the option for UAE currency exchange at the airport, currency exchange centres or banks. You can use cash payments at local shops, street vendors or the traditional markets because they may not accept debit or credit cards. This top payment method is useful for quick payment without waiting for cards to be processed or you may also face network connectivity issues. 

Using Credit Cards In The UAE

Credit Cards are one of the best tourist-friendly payment methods in the UAE and the usage of credit cards in Dubai is consistently becoming famous as most of the tourists opt for credit cards as it is more convenient. This payment method is helpful for avoiding high transaction fees for all international payments and you also have the advantage of low interest rates. By using credit cards, people also get amazing rewards such as discounts on shopping in the UAE, access to airport lounges, complimentary valet parking and more. 

Debit Cards And Prepaid Cards For UAE Visitors

The Debit cards for tourists in the UAE allows you to remain stress free and not carry large amounts of cash with you. When using a debit card in Dubai, you can save the currency conversion fees and this is provided by different cards like Niyo’s and through this, you can enjoy the foreign currency exchange rates without having any extra charges. Additionally, it will be great for you if you use the visa debit cards that are issued by popular banks like the Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank and more. Travelling to the UAE and looking for an easy process of transactions, it will be great for you to use prepaid cards and one of the best prepaid cards is Pyypl prepaid digital card. This card offers an ideal setup process by a mobile app and is appropriate for online shopping and international transactions. 

Online Payment Methods: PayPal, Stripe and More

Are you looking for some efficient online payment methods to use in the UAE? If yes, don't forget to use PayPal and Stripe. You must be wondering why these online payment options are the most useful ones, Right? No worries! Let me tell you first about PayPal. This UAE tourist payment solution offers secure payments, global money transfers and full support for online shops. The main reason behind using PayPal is its security as it uses advanced encryption technology and protects users both personal and financial details while removing the risk of fraud. Another perfect gateway of online payment solutions in the UAE is Stripe and this platform is developed to support diverse payment methods, currencies and business models. 

Mobile Wallets In The UAE

The UAE is indulged with fastest growing economies and is continuously encouraging people to use mobile wallets and make a cashless future. There are numerous types of mobile wallets available including Careem Pay, Google Pay, Etisalat Wallet, Payit and many more. If you are looking for the most innovative e-wallet in the UAE, then you must use Payit for money transfers and this app is entirely free and ensures better flexibility. It offers online payment whether you are doing shopping, bill splitting or money management. In recent times, Payit has also introduced the Letsgo Payit Visa Platinum card which will connect the individual's wallet to visa merchant acceptance locations for the online transactions. What about making the financial transactions smoothly and you can do this by using Careem Pay as it enables easy payments, money transfers and bill clearance. This is a user-friendly digital wallet as you can send or receive payments through QR codes, payment links or mobile numbers while ensuring full security. 

Bank Transfers And Money Exchange Services

The bank transfers in the UAE offers international money transfers services and allows you to send funds directly to another person’s bank account. While a maximum number of banks are reliable in UAE, they often charge higher fees and provide less favourable exchange rates in comparison with other options. However, when you have to make large or infrequent transfers, then bank transfers is the preferred option. Different channels are available in the UAE like the SWIFT system and through this system, the UAE banks ensure that your funds are sent safely. Are you looking for the best money exchange services? If yes, then the most relevant one is Lulu Exchange Services which meets all users expectations. You can avail these money exchange services by patrons within UAE and different branches are available for you which becomes easier and accessible for money exchange. 

How To Choose The Right Payment Method In The UAE?

To choose the right payment method in the UAE, you need to consider certain factors to ensure security and enable hassle-free transactions. 

1. Pricing: When choosing the payment method, the first thing you must look at is the pricing structure of the platform as there are different fee structures such as transaction fees, subscription fees and set up fees. So, when selecting any payment option, choose the one that adheres to your financial goals. 

2. Customer Support: Every user expects that they are receiving proper customer support from the payment platforms. So, when choosing the right platform, ensure that there is a responsive support team and you get satisfied by all services. 

3. Security: When making payments, all users expect that their money is transferred securely. So, explore the correct platform that provides the best security features like fraud detection and encryption techniques for protection.

Safety Tips For Digital And Cash Payments In The UAE

1. When making any digital payment, always use secure platforms like PayPal, Payit and Zelle. 

2. Beware of financial phishing as this is a major threat in the digital world. For this, you must double check the authenticity of emails as well as texts before sharing your account information or making payments. 

3. Be aware of the cash transaction limits in the UAE and the limit is AED 55000. 

Conclusion

The UAE is integrated with top user-friendly payment solutions while ensuring full security to users. Whether you are using cash for payments or using digital payment technologies, UAE offers everything. While looking at the present situation, the UAE is getting advanced and moving towards digital technologies and less cash transactions and people are using more debit cards, credit cards, e-wallet and other online payment methods such as PayPal and Stripe. While making any cash or digital payment, ensure that you are doing transactions safely. So, if you are finalising the trip to UAE, one thing you must remember is to apply for the UAE Visa for hassle free trip and plan the trip accordingly.