All you need to know about GDRFA

What is GDRFA?

The GDRFA stands for General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai. Just as the name implies, it is an official government authority in the emirate of Dubai that oversees and controls all the protocols involved with the entry, residence and exit of expats in the country.

The GDRFA Dubai also works in collaboration with the Dubai legal system for the issuing of residence visas and other related services with regards to residency and foreigners affairs. For those involved in business setup in UAE, understanding GDRFA regulations is essential, as they directly impact visa approvals and residency procedures for investors and employees.

It's very important to note that the GDRFA is responsible for the residency and foreigners affairs in Dubai only. This means that the UAE residents from other emirates cannot access the GDRFA services. Instead, they can access the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security) services which are for other emirates except for Dubai. In most cases, the correct authority depends on the emirate that issued your entry permit or residence visa: Dubai-issued permits are handled through GDRFA Dubai, while other emirates use ICP smart services.

What services are provided by GDRFA?

The GDRFA is considered one of the major government authorities in the emirate of Dubai as they offer the following services:

Residence and entry permit services

The GDRFA Dubai assists in the required procedures for getting, renewing, and termination of entry permits in Dubai. This is applicable to protocols for various categories of Dubai residence visa status. 

Establishment support services

This is related to company formations in the emirate. The aim is to enable companies, investors, and entrepreneurs to complete all the necessary processes involved in the establishments. Businesses undergoing company setup in Dubai must ensure compliance with GDRFA residency regulations to facilitate smooth operations.

Personal status and citizenship services

The GDRFA also handles the system for smooth and hassle free services related to citizenship and personal status services in the emirate.

Violation control

The GDRFA ensures that the issues of violators are settled according to the legislation and regulations of the emirate. This boils down to improving the security and safety of its residents.

Foreigners’ follow-up services

To ensure that any concern with regards to foreigners’ entry, settlement, and exit is well solved.

Ports control services

The GDRFA manages the to-and-fro activities of both the marine ports and airports in Dubai.

Find out more and get access to other services offered by the GDRFA in Dubai. Click the corresponding links to be redirected to the pages devoted to particular services.

GDRFA customer service centers

GDRFA customer service centers are located across Dubai. You can visit a center for in-person support when you need document checks, clarifications, or help with a specific request. In Dubai, many residency and visa services are also handled via AMER Service Centers. Think of AMER as the “front desk” for many GDRFA-related transactions—often the most practical option when you want to submit, amend, cancel, or follow up on an application with assistance.

Our practical tip: before you go in person, check the specific service page on the GDRFA website to confirm whether your request can be done online or requires a visit. Then use the official directory below to view the full list of centers and filter for “Amer Centers” to find the most convenient location.

Full list of Amer Service Centers in Dubai.

Tracking the GDRFA application status

To track the status of your GDRFA application status, follow the easy steps below:

Option 1: Via GDRFA main website

1. Open the official Application Status Tracker page.
2. Enter the Email Address you used in the application. 
3. Enter your Emirates ID number 
4. Enter your Application Reference Number 
5. Submit the form to view the status display.

Option 2: Via GDRFA Smart Services

1. Open the official Status Inquiry page on GDRFA Smart Services.  
2. Choose what you want to search for (for example, Application, File, Over-the-counter service applications, Establishment, etc.).  
3. Fill in the required identifiers shown on the form, typically Application Number, Transaction Number, Payment Date.  
4. Click Search to display the application/file status.