Being a resident of the UAE requires having a valid residence visa. Apart from having a residency visa expiry date, you might have concerns regarding your residency visa such as staying outside the UAE beyond the allowed duration or having a dispute with your residency visa sponsor in the UAE. Because of this, you might find yourself needing to check if your residency status in the UAE is still valid.
If you have a normal/employment visa and don’t live in the UAE permanently, you will have to visit the country once every 6 months in order to keep the visa valid (or once a year in the case of an Investor/Partner visa). So, if you are worried about going past your visa expiry date without knowing, let us walk you through the simple and user-friendly guide to check your visa status online. You will also get to know how to renew or extend your visa when it expires.
Additionally, for those considering company formation in Dubai, ensuring valid residency and visa status is a crucial step in the business setup process.
Short summary
In short, you can effectively check the validity of your UAE resident visa online by:
- Using ICP Smart Services by accessing the web portal in your browser or via the UAE ICP mobile application
- Using the GDRFA Dubai service (for visas in Dubai)
In each case, the main requirement is passport details.
The process of renewing or extending your existing UAE visa is almost the same as getting a new one with the exception of not having to submit your biometric data again, as it is stored in the GDRFA database.
Now, let’s review the process in detail.
Checking UAE visa status online
There are user-friendly platforms to go about any issues related to visa application and its status check. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) is the authority in Dubai that is in charge of matters related to residency visas. They respond to visa-related queries through Amer service centers. This service is also available on the ICP.
Basically, Dubai has its own separate service for visa status check which is different from that of the other Emirates.
For other Emirates, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) is the platform used to check visa status.
Documents required for visa status check
Checking your UAE resident visa status online will require the following:
- Passport number and details
- Emirates ID number/UID number/visa file number
- Login details (e-mail address and password)
Note that you can also log in by using your UAE PASS, which is a digital identity and signature for UAE residents that can be used to authorize transactions across other UAE government service applications. This authorization can be done either by logging into the app or by using face or fingerprint biometrics.
Step-by-step guide for using ICP Smart Services – for visas outside of Dubai
This option is available to those who applied for a visa in any Emirate excluding Dubai. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to check the visa status using passport details in the UAE:
- Visit the official government website at smartservices.icp.gov.ae or download the app on Google Play or AppStore.
- On the website’s page, click Individual service.
- Register with accurate passport details or log in with the required information (you also have the option to sign in with your UAE PASS).
- Provide your passport details in the spaces required and click Submit.
Once all the information is entered correctly, the status of your visa will be displayed in full.
Step-by-step guide for using the UAE ICP mobile application
Alternatively, you can simply download the mobile app from your App Store using the name UAE ICP. Below are the steps to take:
- Download the mobile app with the keyword “UAE ICP”.
- Choose your preferred language.
- Specify if you're within or outside the UAE.
- Log in with your details or get registered as a new user.
- Enter your passport number.
- Tap Submit, and your visa status will be displayed.
If needed, you can contact the app support team with their toll-free number 600522222. You can also fill in their feedback form to express your concerns.
Step-by-step guide for using the GDRFA Dubai website - for visas in Dubai
This service is available to UAE citizens, residents, and visitors in Dubai.
You can inquire about your Dubai visa status, its issuance, and expiry date by using the exclusive GDRFA Dubai website at https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en.
Below is the list of steps for a Dubai visa check for people with existing visas:
1. Visit the GDRFA Dubai website at https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en and log in.
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2. Choose the Visa Status option in the list of services. You will be redirected to the Status Tracking search page.
3. By default, the selected Search by option will be Application. Enter your Application Number, Transaction Number, and Payment Date in the corresponding sections below.
4. Check the captcha box and finally click Search. This will display all your visa status information.
People who are just starting the process of obtaining a visa can either check the status of their visa application with the free zone they applied to or check with an Amer center.
You can make more inquiries regarding the GDRFA service by using the DUBAI NOW mobile app or by contacting their customer service center number on 8005111. If you are living outside the UAE, contact them using this toll-free number: +9714313999.
How to check the UAE visa status with passport number
Below are the easy ways to check visa status with your passport number. These steps are applicable only if your UAE visa has been issued in Abu-Dhabi, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, or Ajman – that is, any emirate excluding Dubai.
- Visit the ICP Smart Services website.
- Choose Passport among the displayed Search Type options.
- Click the check box for GCC citizens if you are one.
- Under the service type option, click Visa.
- Fill in your passport details, such as its number, expiry date, and your nationality, in the spaces provided (the space for these details can only be displayed if you choose Passport as your search type).
- Check the captcha box and finally click Search. This will display all your visa status information.
Steps to renew your UAE resident visa
If your UAE resident visa is about to expire and you want to extend it, you need to go through the renewal process.
The process is similar to getting a new visa, but a bit easier. When you carry out visa renewal, you have to renew your Emirates ID. Biometric scanning can also be required on a case-to-case basis.
Residency visa renewal starts with initiating the process with the authority from which the visa was obtained. For company owners or employees, this can be done either through free zone authorities or through Amer centers in the case of a mainland company. For other residency visas such as the Golden Visa or Property/Investor visa, this can also be done through an Amer center or the Dubai Land Department.
So, this is what you need to do for your UAE visa renewal:
- Submit an application, either online or in person (depending on the authority processing the application).
- Undergo a medical checkup before your current visa expires.
- Apply for the Emirates ID.
- Wait for visa approval, which is granted digitally. The submission of a passport is no longer required, as visas are now digital and can be accessed through the UAE ICP website or mobile application.
- Your Emirates ID will be issued in 5-7 working days after the visa is approved.
The visa renewal process is estimated to be completed in 1-2 weeks
Consequences of UAE visa expiry
If you fail to renew or extend your UAE visa in time, staying in the country past the visa expiry date will cause a one-off fine of AED 100 and a daily fine of AED 50 until the visa is renewed. Also, you will be mandated to receive permission to leave the UAE. In the case of a visitor visa, penalties start to be applied after a 10-day grace period.
Remember that the longer you wait to renew your visa, the more severe the resulting consequences and penalties will get and may even include you being blacklisted and not allowed to enter the UAE ever again.
FAQ
— Where can I check my UAE visa status?
If your visa is issued in Dubai, you can do it through the GDRFA Dubai website: https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/. ICP Smart Services are available in every emirate including Dubai: https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/.
— I am out of UAE and my visa has expired. How can I renew it?
You need to apply for a new visa if you are out of UAE and the current visa has expired. The process will be the same as if you are applying for a new visa.
Elena O.
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