Someone has to sponsor your new visa when your passport doesn’t qualify for a UAE visa on arrival. Whether that comes with a guarantor or an A2A visa change deposit depends mainly on the package and the sponsor, then on your profile. Some packages need neither. Some packages need neither. We hear one question most: why does my quote include a deposit when my friend’s didn’t?
a deposit isn’t universal. It’s usually refundable if you leave or change status on time. Confirm the amount and refund terms in writing before paying.
Not sure if your package needs a deposit? Send us your nationality and visa expiry, and we’ll tell you before you pay.
Guarantor vs. Security Deposit: What Each Means For An A2A Visa Change
What a guarantor is
A guarantor accepts responsibility for the visitor. On an agency- or airline-sponsored visa, that’s the sponsor itself. Some sponsors add a personal visa change guarantor requirement: a UAE resident who signs and shares their ID.
What a security deposit is
Refundable money held against overstay or misuse. The visa fee, flight, and service charge are spent, not held. That’s the UAE visa change security deposit.
Not the same as resident-sponsored visas
A resident sponsoring a family faces a separate ICP and GDRFA financial guarantee—different products.
No Visa on Arrival? Here’s What That Does (and doesn’t) Change
Without a visa on arrival, your sponsor must issue the new visa before you board back. That’s why A2A exists. It doesn’t decide whether a deposit applies, and your documents required without a visa on arrival stay mostly standard. Rules changed in June 2026. Philippine, Kenyan, and South African passport holders, among others, now qualify only with a valid residence permit from the US, EU, UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada. Indian nationals have a similar conditional route. Most won’t qualify; check our UAE visa on arrival rules and the official list.
Why Some A2A Quotes Include A Deposit, And Others Don’t
Dubai-issued vs. Sharjah-issued visas
On our current price tables, Dubai-issued packages show no deposit. Sharjah-issued ones (Air Arabia from Sharjah, Salam Air SHJ visa, and Oman Air SHJ posting) are where they appear. GDRFA also states there is no deposit on the tourist visa it issues through tourism establishments. That points to sponsor terms, so we confirm each package.
With a deposit or without: the price trade-off
For example, Salam Air’s 60-day SHJ visa package costs AED 1,750 with a security deposit or AED 2,100 without one. The difference is AED 350, which is the additional non-refundable cost of choosing the no-deposit option. If you prefer to avoid paying a security deposit upfront, the no-deposit package may be a suitable choice. Compare current A2A packages to find the option that suits you best.
Other things that can trigger a deposit or guarantor
Minors travelling alone, some African nationalities on Sharjah packages, visa history, past overstays, and the sponsor’s risk rules.
Does Your Passport Affect The Deposit or Guarantor Requirement?
Less than people think; two travellers with one passport can get different answers. GDRFA lists national ID cards for Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. We treat African countries one by one.
India: conditional visa on arrival route
Pakistan: national ID copy
Philippines, Kenya, South Africa: visa on arrival only with listed permit
Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Morocco: package and sponsor decide.
Same passport, different answer? We’ll check your visa history and show options with and without a deposit. Check if you need a deposit.
How Much Is The A2A Visa Change Deposit?
It varies with the sponsor, visa length, issuing emirate, and your profile, so we won’t print one figure. For context, published agency price lists show Sharjah visa deposits near AED 1,030, with roughly AED 60 to 100 kept back. One lists AED 2,500 to 3,500 for certain applicants. Be wary of anyone quoting one fixed visa change deposit amount for “all Africans” or “all Pakistanis”.
How To Get Your A2A Deposit Back
Exit or change status before your visa ends. Send proof: exit stamp or new visa page. Then confirm the payout method. Overstay, and you risk losing the deposit on top of fines. Some airline claims close after three months, so keep that receipt. Waiting already? Ask our team about a pending refund.
Have a question about how your deposit will be returned? Ask for the refund terms in writing before you book.
Visa Rejected, Flight Delayed, or Plans Changed: What Happens To Your Money
| Scenario | Visa fee | Flight | Service fee | Deposit | What to do |
Rejected or cancelled | Not refunded | Check carrier | Check terms | Per sponsor terms | Tell us at once |
| Flight delayed | Unaffected | Rebook | Unaffected | Unaffected | Message us |
You overstay | Spent | Spent | Spent | Can be forfeited | Act same day |
| Issued but unused | Not refunded | Check carrier | Check terms | Per sponsor terms | Exit before expiry |
Air Arabia charges AED 225 to clear a cancelled or rejected application. Read what can go wrong on an A2A trip.
Extra Documents When A Guarantor or Deposit Applies
Standard papers live in our full A2A document checklist. These are the extra A2A visa change documents required in deposit cases.
From you
A national ID copy if your nationality is listed, a cancellation paper if you’re an ex-resident, and your deposit receipt.
From your guarantor
Passport copy, Emirates ID, and UAE residence visa page. Ask us about minimum residence validity first.
8 Questions To Ask Before You Pay For An A2A Package
- Does this exact package need a deposit?
- How much, and who holds it?
- Is there a no-deposit option, and what does it cost?
- Do I need a personal guarantor?
- What’s refundable if the visa is rejected?
- What are the refund conditions, method, and timeline?
- Are there any deductions?
- Will I get a written receipt?
Not sure about the deposit? Check if you need a deposit.
Check Your Own Deposit And Guarantor Requirement
Send us your nationality, current visa type and expiry, any past overstays, and your preferred airport. You’ll get options with and without a deposit, whether you need a guarantor, and refund terms in writing. Approval rests with UAE immigration.
Get your options, guarantor need, and refund terms confirmed in one message. Approval remains with UAE immigration. Check if you need a deposit.
Frequently Asked Questionss
No. It depends on the package and sponsor. Many Dubai-issued packages need none.
Different package, issuing emirate, or profile. One passport can get different quotes.
Often, at a higher non-refundable price. Ask for live prices.
Travellers whose sponsor requires one are assessed case by case.
A UAE resident with a valid residence and an Emirates ID. We confirm any extra conditions.
No. It depends on the package and sponsor. Many Dubai-issued packages need none.
Different package, issuing emirate, or profile. One passport can get different quotes.
Often, at a higher non-refundable price. Ask for live prices.
Travellers whose sponsor requires one are assessed case by case.
A UAE resident with a valid residence and an Emirates ID. We confirm any extra conditions.
Conclusion
Deposits aren’t universal; they’re usually refundable when you exit on time, and the terms should always be in writing before you pay. Send us your nationality and visa expiry. We’ll confirm your deposit, guarantor requirements, and refund terms in one message.
