Legal advice needed on out-pass exit permit & spouse visa process

Hello M. R.,

Thank you for your message and for outlining your situation.

Regarding the UAE out-pass (exit permit) that was issued without your knowledge, this document legally allows you to exit the UAE even if your visa is canceled or expired.

For your question on whether you need to fly back to Sri Lanka or can travel to a nearby country, such as Oman, and then return on a spouse residence visa, generally, the UAE immigration rules require exiting the UAE fully before applying for and entering on a new visa.

However, traveling to a nearby GCC country before re-entry is permitted, provided you have a valid entry permit or visa to return to the UAE.

Our legal consultancy firm can assist you with the exit process, visit visa arrangements, and the spouse visa status change procedure.

Please let me know a suitable time for a consultation. You can call or WhatsApp me directly on the phone for immediate assistance.

Thank you for contacting us via Legal Advice Middle East.

Your case relates to an out-pass issued on your file, which requires you to exit the UAE before any new visa can be arranged.

We have previously handled very similar cases for expatriates who needed to switch from an out-pass to a spouse residence visa.

In practice, the key question is whether the immigration will accept a short exit to a nearby country (such as Oman) or insist on returning to your home country.

In some cases, authorities have permitted re-entry from a GCC country for a status change, but in other cases, they required the applicant to return to their country of nationality.

The answer depends on your specific immigration file and the reason the out-pass was issued.

There are multiple routes available. One is to complete the out-pass by traveling to Sri Lanka and then re-enter on a new visa.

Another is to exit to a neighboring country and attempt re-entry with a visit visa, then process the spouse's residence through a status change inside the UAE.

The best approach will depend on coordination with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and ensuring your spouse’s sponsorship documents are in order.

Our office, RASHID ALKAITOOB ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS, has over 12 years of experience in Dubai with immigration and family visa matters, and we can assist you in identifying the most efficient and legally accepted path for your re-entry.

To advise you accurately, we would need to review the out-pass details, your current entry permit, and your spouse’s visa sponsorship eligibility.

Our multilingual consultants (Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi, and Chinese) are available to guide you through each step.

Dear Ms. Z.,

Greetings from Al Nassar Advocates!

Thank you for reaching out to us.

Yes, we can take care of this. Considering the urgency of your case, we request that you kindly visit our office tomorrow at 3:00 PM with the following documents:

- Passport copies (yours and your spouse’s)

- Out-pass/exit permit

- Marriage certificate (attested)

- Previous visa documentation, if available

We will review your situation in detail and guide you on the best course of action for your spouse visa process. The initial consultation fee is AED 300.

Kindly confirm your attendance so we can reserve the slot for you.

Best regards,

Adv. Rihan Raheem