Amer is the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) Dubai service network — the public-facing channel for visit visas, residence visas, family sponsorship, status changes, and all the paper-and-stamp work the federal ICP doesn't fully cover for Dubai-issued residence files. With 12+ branches across the emirate, choosing the right one saves time. Here is the 2026 directory.
What Amer actually does
Amer is the only GDRFA-Dubai-authorised channel (alongside ICP smart services) for:
- Tourist and visit visa applications and extensions.
- Residence visa stamping, renewals, and cancellations for Dubai-issued files.
- Family sponsorship — spouse, children, parents.
- Change of status (visit visa → residence) inside the country.
- Entry permit issuance and modification.
- Establishment-card services for Dubai trade licences.
- Domestic-worker visa processing.
For Emirates ID, biometrics, and federal-ICP transactions you go to ICP / Tasheel centres — Amer typically does not handle those (some larger Amer centres co-locate ICP biometrics).
Major Amer centres at a glance
| Centre | Area | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Barsha | Al Barsha 1 | Sun–Thu 8am–8pm, Fri 1.30–8pm, Sat 8am–8pm | Largest, full services, parking |
| Al Manara | Al Manara, Sheikh Zayed Rd side | Sun–Thu 8am–8pm, Fri 1.30–8pm, Sat 8am–8pm | Premium / VIP track available |
| Al Karama | Karama, near Postal District | Sun–Thu 8am–8pm, Fri 1.30–8pm, Sat 8am–8pm | Convenient for Bur Dubai / Karama residents |
| Al Khawaneej | Khawaneej Walk | Sun–Thu 8am–8pm, Fri 1.30–8pm, Sat 8am–8pm | Newer centre, lower wait times |
| Al Twar | Al Twar 3 | Sun–Thu 8am–8pm, Fri 1.30–8pm, Sat 8am–8pm | Convenient for Mirdif / Al Warqa |
| Hatta | Hatta city | Sun–Thu 8am–3pm | Full services for Hatta residents |
| JAFZA Amer | JAFZA HQ | Sun–Thu 8am–4pm | JAFZA / Jebel Ali residents and businesses |
| DAFZA Amer | DAFZA | Sun–Thu 8am–4pm | DAFZA companies |
| DSO Amer | Dubai Silicon Oasis HQ | Sun–Thu 8am–4pm | DSO companies and residents |
| DIFC Amer | DIFC | Sun–Thu 8am–4pm | DIFC employees and entities |
| Dubai South Amer | Expo / Dubai South | Sun–Thu 8am–4pm | Dubai South companies and residents |
Hours are standardised at most centres but can change during Ramadan and public holidays. The Amer hotline (800 5111) and the GDRFA Dubai app give live counters.
Services map — which centre is best for what
Visit visa applications and extensions
Any centre. Al Barsha and Al Karama are busiest because they handle high tourist-visa volume. Al Khawaneej and Al Twar have shorter queues.
Residence visa stamping (new and renewal)
Al Barsha and Al Manara are the most experienced for complex residence files. Free-zone-located Amer centres (DAFZA, JAFZA, DSO, DIFC, Dubai South) are best for residence files tied to those zones.
Family sponsorship
Al Manara, Al Barsha, Al Twar — all have dedicated family-services counters. The Al Manara VIP track is popular for parent-sponsorship cases that need supervisor approvals.
Domestic-worker visas
Al Barsha, Al Manara, and Al Twar all have Tadbeer connectivity for the typing portion.
Establishment-card and corporate services
The free-zone-located Amer centres (JAFZA, DAFZA, DIFC, DSO, Dubai South) are best because they co-locate with the licensing authority. For mainland (DED) trade licences, Al Barsha and Al Manara are convenient.
Status change (visit → residence)
Any centre, but the change-of-status fee and timing is the same — quietest centres are Al Khawaneej and Al Twar.
Booking and walk-ins
- Most transactions are walk-in but Amer encourages appointments through the GDRFA Dubai app or Amer 24/7 site.
- VIP / Premium counters at Al Manara and Al Barsha are appointment-only and typically cost AED 250–500 extra.
- Token system runs at every centre — pull a token on arrival for the correct service category.
Documents to bring
Universal: original Emirates ID and passport (sponsor and beneficiary). Service-specific:
- Visit visa: invitee passport copy, sponsor's Emirates ID + pay slip / bank statement.
- Residence visa: original passport, photo, medical fitness certificate, health insurance card.
- Family sponsorship: marriage / birth certificate (attested), Ejari, salary certificate.
- Domestic worker: passport, photo, MOHRE-issued offer letter, Tadbeer contract.
Fees
Service fees are standard across all Amer centres (set by GDRFA). Typical Amer typing/processing fee is AED 80–250 on top of the government fee.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to go in person?
For most services no — Amer 24/7 (online) handles 80%+ of routine transactions. In-person is required for biometrics (which is actually ICP), final residence stamping in passport (rare for new digital residence), and complex case escalations.
What is Amer 24/7?
The remote service brand — you submit documents online and a runner files them with GDRFA. Same fees, no need to physically visit. Good for visit visa applications, extensions, and many renewals.
Difference between Amer and Tasheel?
Amer = GDRFA Dubai (immigration). Tasheel = MOHRE (labour). Tasheel handles work permits, labour cards, contracts; Amer handles visas. They overlap when issuing a new employment visa — Tasheel does the work permit then Amer issues the visa.
Can I switch centre mid-application?
Yes, your file is centralised. You can submit at one centre and follow up at another. The original receipt and reference number are what matter.
Are there evening / weekend hours?
Most major centres are open until 8pm Sun–Sat (except Friday afternoon). Free-zone-located centres typically close at 4pm.
Is parking free?
Most Amer centres have dedicated free parking; centres in dense areas (Al Karama) use paid public parking. Al Manara, Al Barsha, and Al Khawaneej have ample free parking.
How we help
Visa Simplified runs Amer applications end-to-end through Amer 24/7 or in-person at the centre best suited for your case. We process tourist visas, residence renewals, spouse sponsorship, change of status, and the entire Dubai-issued residence portfolio. Compare with Abu Dhabi Tasheel + ICA if you are based or operating in the capital, and read our Good Conduct Certificate guide for documents you will need for many family-visa applications.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.