How to check visa status in UAE

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.

For most UAE residence visa holders, staying outside the UAE for more than six consecutive months may result in the residence visa being nullified. Golden Visa      holders generally have more flexibility when it comes to extended stays outside the UAE, so it’s always best to verify your exact status through the official channels if you have been abroad for a long period.

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)

Depending on the service, you may need either passport details (for basic validity checks) or application/file details (for status tracking).

The process of renewing or extending your existing UAE visa is almost the same as getting a new one with the main difference that biometric data is usually already on record, although biometric scanning may still be required on a case-by-case basis.

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) may be required for some services

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.

For some Dubai (GDRFA) status tracking services, you may also be asked for application reference details such as an application number, transaction number, payment date, and other fields shown on the tracking form.

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:

1. Visit the official government website at smartservices.icp.gov.ae or download the app on Google Play or AppStore.
2. On the website’s page, click Individual service.
3. Register with accurate passport details or log in with the required information (you also have the option to sign in with your UAE PASS).
4. 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:

1. Download the mobile app with the keyword “UAE ICP”.
2. Choose your preferred language.
3. Specify if you're within or outside the UAE.
4. Log in with your details or get registered as a new user.
5. Enter your passport number.
6. 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.