Checking Your Visa Application Status in the UAE
If you are waiting for an entry or residence visa in the UAE and are unsure where your file stands, the good news is that checking your visa application status is done online in minutes. You do not need to visit any service centre. All you need is your application number or passport number.
Quick Answer
You can check your visa application status through the website or app of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) for visas issued by all emirates except Dubai, and through the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA) for visas issued by Dubai. Enter your application number or passport number and nationality, and the status will appear immediately: under processing, approved, or rejected. The service is free and available 24/7.
How to Check Your Visa Application Status via ICP
Go to icp.gov.ae, select "Public Services," then "Visa Validity Inquiry" or "Application Status Inquiry." You will find two main options:
- Search by application number: Enter the 14–15-digit transaction number you received when you submitted your application.
- Search by passport number: Enter your passport number, nationality, and date of birth.
The official UAEICP app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and provides the same service with instant notifications when the status changes. This is genuinely the fastest method.
If the status shows "Under Security Review," your application is undergoing additional scrutiny and may take anywhere from 3 days to several weeks. Do not submit a new application in the meantime — doing so will only multiply the delay.
Checking Dubai Visa Status via GDRFA
Visas issued by Dubai have a separate portal: gdrfad.gov.ae. Select "E-Services," then "Application Status Inquiry." The available options are:
- Inquiry by application number.
- Inquiry by passport number and nationality.
- Inquiry via the GDRFA Dubai app.
If you submitted your application through Emirates Airlines, flydubai, or a travel agent, the application is usually processed through GDRFA rather than ICP. Verify the issuing authority before wasting time on the wrong portal — most people make this mistake.
A standard tourist visa takes 3–4 working days, while a work residence visa takes 5–10 working days after the medical examination and biometrics. If your application exceeds this timeframe with no change in status, contact your sponsoring entity or call the Amer contact centre (800 5111 for ICP, or 800 5111 for GDRFA).
What the Different Application Statuses Mean
- Under Process: The application is under standard review.
- Approved: The visa is ready. Download the PDF copy immediately.
- Rejected: You are entitled to know the reason through your sponsoring entity, and may sometimes reapply after correcting the noted issues.
- Pending Amendment: A document is missing or unclear. You generally have 30 days to make corrections before the application is automatically cancelled.
- Security Check: The application is under review by the competent authorities; no specific timeline is given.
An approved visa is valid for entry within 60 days of its issue date pursuant to the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. (29) of 2021 on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and its Implementing Regulation issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (65) of 2022. [1][2]
Have you exceeded this period? You will need to cancel the visa and obtain a new one.
Practical Tips to Avoid Delays
Keep your application number written somewhere safe from the very first moment. Make sure the name in the application matches the passport letter for letter — any discrepancy in the name spelling between the passport and the application means an almost certain rejection. Verify that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
If the visa is a work visa, the employer is obligated to issue it within 60 days of your entry on an entry permit for the purpose of employment, in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation of Labour Relations Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) and its Implementing Regulation. [3]
For more on residence and visa procedures, see the UAE Visa Guide.
Do you need to review your legal status? Speak to a licensed UAE lawyer ←
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Citations
- [1] Federal Decree-Law No. (29) of 2021 on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners — Official Gazette. official text ↗ ✓
- [2] Cabinet Resolution No. (65) of 2022 — Implementing Regulation of the Entry and Residence of Foreigners Law. official text ↗ ✓
- [3] Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations and its Implementing Regulation issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (1) of 2022. official text ↗ ✓
- [4] Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (icp.gov.ae). ⚠
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