Many applicants only discover a missing approval or an expired visa when they attempt to travel, change jobs or sponsor family. The UAE provides structured online tools to track UAE visa application status and visa validity, but they are split between two main authorities and systems, which often causes confusion for visitors, residents and sponsors.
This article explains how to check UAE visa status online for every emirate, separating application tracking from visa validity checks. It covers Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) visa status for Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) visa status for Dubai, mobile applications such as ICP UAE Smart and DubaiNow, Emirates ID status checks, typical issues that lead to “no record found”, and when to contact ICP or Amer call centres for clarification.
Key UAE Authorities and Online Channels for Visa Status Checks
The UAE’s online visa services are primarily split between the ICP and GDRFA Dubai. Which system you must use depends on the emirate that issued your entry permit or residence visa, or where your application was submitted.
Applications and visas issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah are tracked through ICP’s website and smart services platform. The same ICP channels are used both for UAE visa application tracking and for UAE visa validity check in these emirates. For Dubai‑issued entry permits and residence visas, including applications lodged via Amer centres, status enquiries and validity checks are carried out through GDRFA Dubai online services.
As a result, the first step in any UAE visa status enquiry is to identify where the application was lodged or which emirate appears as the issuing authority on your visa. Once this is clear, you either use the ICP smart services (for all non‑Dubai emirates) or the GDRFA Dubai website and related tools (for Dubai).
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Information You Need Before You Check Your UAE Visa Status
Both the ICP and GDRFA Dubai systems rely on precise identifiers to retrieve your file. For a standard UAE visa status check, you ordinarily need the application number and, where applicable, the reference number given by the visa service provider at the time of submission. These numbers are usually found on the receipt, email confirmation or PDF generated when the application was filed.
For Dubai visa status check through the GDRFA Dubai Application Status Tracker, three specific pieces of information are required: the email address used in the application, the Emirates ID number used in the application (where applicable), and the application reference number assigned at submission. If any of these are entered incorrectly, the system may not locate the record. For visa validity enquiries, some services may also require passport information, so it is sensible to have the passport available.
The details entered into online visa services in the UAE must match the original data exactly, including the spelling of names and all digits in the identifiers. If you are unsure which number to use, check the instructions on the official page carefully or contact your sponsor or service provider before attempting multiple searches.
Checklist: Key Details Needed for ICP and GDRFA Dubai
| Purpose | Authority / Platform | Typical Information Required* |
|---|---|---|
| Track UAE entry permit / visa application (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ, RAK, Fujairah) | ICP smart services / eChannels | Application number (and sometimes related reference number) |
| Check UAE visa validity (non‑Dubai) | ICP visa validity service | Visa or file data as requested on the ICP page, and often passport data |
| Track Dubai visa application | GDRFA Dubai Application Status Tracker | Email used in application, Emirates ID used in application (if any), application reference number |
| Check Dubai visa validity | GDRFA Dubai visa validity service | Visa and/or passport information as requested |
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Checking Visa Application Status for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah (ICP)
For all non‑Dubai emirates, UAE visa status enquiry for applications is handled online through ICP’s smart services platform, often referred to as eChannels. These services are used for Foreign Affairs and Ports applications, including most entry permit and residence visa requests.
Online Application Tracking via ICP Smart Services
ICP instructs applicants to use the “application status” or “Application Tracking” service available on the ICP smart services platform to track UAE entry permit applications and residence visa requests. From the smart services portal, users select the appropriate application-tracking function, often available to guests without a full account, and then enter the application number exactly as issued.
Applicants for Foreign Affairs and Ports services can check their applications via ICP e‑channels and its smart application by entering the application number. Once submitted, the system will display the current UAE visa application status, such as submitted, under process, approved or rejected, along with any reference notes the authority chooses to show. Applicants should read these results carefully and, where necessary, share them with their sponsor or employer for follow‑up.
Using ICP UAE Smart and ICP Mobile App
ICP also provides mobile solutions that allow users to follow up on requests from their phones. The “ICP UAE Smart” application enables users, once they log in via UAE Pass, to submit and monitor identity, nationality and residency requests, receive notifications, and track request status without visiting a service centre.
ICP offers an “ICP Mobile App” for Android and iOS, described as a smart product that grants the public convenient access to ICP’s core services. Within these mobile apps, visa and residency‑related requests can typically be reviewed under the relevant menus; users should follow the on‑screen instructions to track and ensure that the same application numbers and personal details used at submission are entered.
Assistance via ICP Contact Centre 600522222
When online ICP visa status checks do not work as expected, or when the results are unclear, applicants can contact ICP’s toll‑free contact centre at 600522222. The call centre handles enquiries about visa issuance, types and validity, and can assist in verifying the status of applications and other requests.
Before calling, keep your application number, any reference number provided by your sponsor or typing centre, and your passport details close at hand. Call centre staff will use these to locate your file in ICP systems and advise on the recorded status or any next authorised step.
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Tracking Dubai Visa Applications via GDRFA Dubai and Amer
For Dubai, visa applications and validity are handled by GDRFA Dubai. For visas issued in Dubai or applications submitted via Amer centres within Dubai, users must check the UAE visa application status and visa validity through GDRFA Dubai’s official website and related digital channels.
GDRFA Dubai “Application Status Tracker” Form
GDRFA Dubai provides an online “Application Status Tracker” as part of its official online services. This tool is designed for checking the status of entry permits and residence visa applications lodged with GDRFA Dubai, including those submitted at Amer centres on behalf of individuals, employers, or families.
The tracker form requires three identifiers: the email address used when the application was submitted, the Emirates ID number used in the application (where applicable), and the application reference number received at the time of submission. After completing these fields and confirming the request, the system will display the current GDRFA Dubai visa status, reflecting whether the application is under processing, approved, rejected or requires further action. Because the form validates records against the combination of email, Emirates ID and reference number, even minor discrepancies can prevent retrieval, so data must be checked carefully.
Checking Status via DubaiNow and Amer Contact Centres
For users who prefer mobile tools, the DubaiNow application is an enquiry channel for GDRFA services, including visa services. After installing DubaiNow and logging in, users can navigate to the GDRFA or visa services section and use the integrated enquiry functions to enter the application or visa details requested by the app.
Amer centres, such as EGSH, also provide telephone support for visa queries handled by GDRFA Dubai. From inside the UAE, call 800 5111; from outside the country, call +971 4 313 9999. Callers should keep their application reference number, passport information and, where applicable, Emirates ID details ready so that Amer staff can confirm the latest status and outline any procedural next steps.
How to Check UAE Visa Validity (Issuance and Expiry Dates) Online
The application status shows whether your visa request has been approved, but many residents and visitors also need a UAE visa validity check to confirm the issuance and expiry dates after the visa is granted. The official portals provide validity services for non‑Dubai emirates via ICP and for Dubai through GDRFA Dubai.
Visa Validity for Visas Issued in Abu Dhabi and Other Northern Emirates (ICP)
For entry permits and residence visas issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, the federal portal directs users to the ICP website for both application tracking and visa validity. The ICP visa validity service enables users to enter the required visa or file data, along with any additional identifiers requested on the page, and view the official issuance and expiry dates.
These dates are critical when planning travel, renewals, status changes or dependants’ applications, because overstaying or applying outside permitted windows can lead to fines or rejections. Users should therefore perform a UAE ICP visa status and validity check well before key deadlines and ensure that any renewal or cancellation is handled through the appropriate sponsor and channels.
Visa Validity for Dubai‑Issued Visas (GDRFA Dubai)
For visas issued in Dubai, the UAE government portal directs users to the visa validity service provided on the GDRFA Dubai website. Through this service, users enter specified visa and/or passport information so that the system can retrieve the record and show the issuance and expiry dates recorded by GDRFA Dubai.
Anyone planning to travel, renew a Dubai residence visa, or change employer or sponsor should check the Dubai residence visa online through this validity service to confirm that the visa will remain valid throughout the intended period. If there is any discrepancy between the online record and the visa label or electronic copy, applicants should immediately contact GDRFA Dubai or Amer for clarification.
Emirates ID Application Status and Its Link to Visa Processes
Many residents assume that a visa and an Emirates ID status are identical, but they are processed as separate yet related records. ICP manages Emirates ID issuance nationwide and provides a dedicated “ID Card Status” service on its website, which allows applicants to check the status of an Emirates ID card application by entering either the Application Number (PRAN) or their Emirates ID number.
ICP notes that request status can also be obtained through its broader services website or by calling the 600522222 contact centre. While an Emirates ID is normally linked to a valid residence visa, delays or issues in one process do not automatically affect the other, so users may need to check the UAE residence visa status through ICP or GDRFA Dubai, and the Emirates ID card status separately. Sponsors and applicants should track both records to ensure the residency file and identification document are progressing as expected.
Practical Tips and Common Issues When Tracking UAE Visa Status
Accurate data entry is the most frequent deciding factor in whether an online UAE visa status check succeeds. Application numbers and reference numbers often contain long sequences of digits; transposing even one digit, omitting a character or mixing up an application number with a receipt or invoice number can cause the system to return “no record found”. Always refer directly to the confirmation message or document issued by the visa service provider rather than relying on handwritten notes or verbal recollection.
Another common issue is using the wrong authority’s platform. Applicants sometimes attempt to check a Dubai‑issued visa through ICP or a Ras Al Khaimah visa through GDRFA Dubai, but this will not work because the underlying records are stored in different systems. Before you track your UAE visa application online using the application number or other identifiers, verify whether your application was lodged under ICP (Abu Dhabi and northern emirates) or GDRFA Dubai/Amer (Dubai). The emirate named on your entry permit, or the centre where your sponsor submitted the file, usually provides this answer.
If an online search still does not return a result, consider using authorised alternative channels. For ICP‑handled visas, you may log into the ICP UAE Smart mobile application or ICP Mobile App and check request status there, or call the ICP contact centre on 600522222 with your identifiers ready. For Dubai‑handled visas, you may use the DubaiNow app’s GDRFA services or call Amer on the official numbers. In all cases, your sponsor or visa service provider can help confirm the exact application number, submission date and authority used, which are often the key missing elements.
Processing speed and decisions are determined solely by ICP or GDRFA Dubai, and there is no legitimate way to shorten official processing queues through third parties.
FAQ
How can I track my UAE visa application status online using my application number?
For visas handled by ICP (Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates), access the ICP smart services platform and select the application tracking or application status service, then enter your application number exactly as issued. For Dubai applications under GDRFA Dubai, use the Application Status Tracker, which requires your application reference number, your email, and, where applicable, the Emirates ID used in the application. If the system cannot find your file, verify that you are using the correct authority and identifiers before attempting again or calling the relevant contact centre.
How do I check UAE visa status for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah?
Visas and entry permits issued in these emirates are managed through ICP, so you should use the ICP smart services website to track your UAE visa application and validity. The federal portal directs users to ICP for both checking current application status and confirming visa issuance and expiry dates, using the application or visa details requested on the page. If you encounter difficulties, you can also log in to the ICP UAE Smart app or call ICP at 600522222 for assistance.
How do I check the status of my Dubai visa on the GDRFA Dubai website?
To check Dubai visa status online, go to the official GDRFA Dubai website and open the Application Status Tracker under online services. Enter the email address used in your application, the Emirates ID number used in the application where relevant, and the application reference number you received at submission, then submit the form to view the current status. For visa validity after approval, use GDRFA Dubai’s visa validity service, which will show the issuance and expiry dates once you provide the required visa or passport data.
How can I check the validity of my UAE visa online for my residence or visit visa?
If your visa was issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah, use the ICP visa validity service accessible through the ICP website to view the official issuance and expiry dates after entering the requested identifiers. For Dubai‑issued visas, use the corresponding visa validity function on the GDRFA Dubai website, entering the visa and/or passport details required on that page. Always rely on these official records when planning travel, renewals or status changes, and contact the relevant authority if there is any inconsistency with your physical or electronic visa.
How do I check the status of my UAE visit visa if I applied through a travel agency?
When a travel agency or other visa service provider submits your visit visa application, they should provide you with the application number and, where applicable, a reference number and a confirmation email. Use these identifiers on the relevant platform: ICP for non‑Dubai emirates and GDRFA Dubai (or its Application Status Tracker) for Dubai‑issued visit visas. If you are unsure which authority handled your file, or you cannot retrieve it online, request the exact application number and issuing emirate from the agency and then repeat the UAE visa status check on the correct official portal.
How can I check the status of my Emirates ID card online?
To check Emirates ID card application status, use the “ID Card Status” service on the ICP website and enter either your Application Number (PRAN) or your Emirates ID number. The system will display whether the card is under processing, printed, dispatched or otherwise recorded, and you may also enquire via ICP’s general services website or by calling the 600522222 contact centre. Remember that this is separate from visa status, so you may need to check both your residence visa and Emirates ID progress, particularly after a new visa issuance or renewal.
Explained by
Amna Issa Abbas
Visa & AMER Services Consultant at EGSH
Amna Issa Abbas is a dedicated AMER centre service provider with two years of proven experience in delivering immigration and customer services, supporting clients, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
This article is intended to provide general information based on official UAE sources, and does not constitute personalised legal advice. Before acting, applicants should verify the current rules and fees directly with the relevant authority or an authorised service centre.
