If you plan to visit or live in the UAE, it is very important to keep an eye on your UAE visa status. Instead of waiting for a fine to find out that your visa has expired, give a quick check on your visa status. Many residents in the UAE suffer from delays and confusion because they don’t regularly check their visa status.
You may have to face overstay fines, legal problems, or rejection of visa renewals because of missing a visa expiration date or misinterpretation of your sponsorship status. In 2025, checking the UAE visa status has become very easy and quick. Check your visa status today by yourself online instead of depending on someone else or visiting the immigration office.
This blog will guide you step by step on how to check your UAE visa status through the ICP system or the GDRFA portal. Along with this, it will also help you avoid overstays fines and common mistakes.
Why It Is Important to Check UAE Visa Status
Your visa status is always important when you live or travel in the United Arab Emirates. It provides information about how long you can stay in the UAE, the approval status of your visa application, and what you have to do next. Checking visa status online can save you from penalties and legal issues, whether you are relocating to the UAE for a job, visiting as a tourist, or living there for years.
Basic Understanding of the UAE Visa System
It is important to understand the type of visa you have applied for because there are different categories of visas that are issued by the UAE government:
- Employment
- Investors
- Visitors
- Residence
All the visas are linked to a passport and managed by one of two authorities, which are discussed below:
1. ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security)
You can check your visa through this authority if you have applied for a visa for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
2. GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs)
Check your visa status through the GDRFA portal if you live in or are visiting Dubai.
How to Check UAE Visa Status through the ICP Portal
You can use the ICP portal to check your UAE visa status in 2025 if your visa is issued outside Dubai. You can simply use the ICP website to track your ICP visa status. Let’s discuss the easy steps that you can follow to check the validity of your visa or entry permit quickly:
Step 1: Visit the Official ICP Website
Go to the official ICP website through this link https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae.
Step 2: Click on “File Validity” under Public Services
Look for the File Validity option under the public service section present on the homepage and click on it.
Step 3: Select Visa File Type
After clicking on the File Validity option, you have to pick the visa file type. If you are already living in the UAE, then choose the residency option, or if your visa is still under process, then choose an entry permit option.
Here you can check the Types of Visas in UAE.
Step 4: Enter Visa Details
In this step, you have to enter your visa details, which include the visa file number, passport number, and Emirates ID (if you have one).
*If you don’t have an Emirates ID yet or need to renew an expired one, check our guide on how to renew Emirates ID online for step-by-step instructions.
Step 5: Provide Personal Information
After giving visa details, select your nationality and date of birth
Step 6: Click on the Search Button
In the last step, just click on the search button.
After submitting all the required information, you can instantly see your UAE visa status. It helps you know whether your visa is active, pending, or expired. This is very helpful when you do not know the renewal date or have recently applied for a visa.
You can use this portal to check ICP visa status for family sponsorships, residency renewals, or golden visa updates. Before submission, double-check the information because even a minor mistake can lead to a “no record found” error.
How to Check Dubai Visa Status through the GDRFA Portal
You can visit the GDRFA portal if your visa is issued in Dubai to track the GDRFA Dubai status. This portal is easy to use and gives you the required information within a few seconds. You have to follow the following steps to check your visa status:
Step 1: Visit the Official GDRFA Website
Click on the given link to visit the original GDRFA website https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en.
Step 2: Select “Visa Status Inquiry”
Click on the “Visa Status Inquiry” option present on the homepage under the services section.
Step 3: Enter Your Visa or Residency File Number
In this step, you have to enter the residency file number or visa number to check your GDRFA Dubai status.
Step 4: Complete Captcha and Submit
Click on submit after completing the security captcha.
When you submit the details, the current status of your visa will appear on screen. GDRFA portal shares real-time information to keep you updated about the visa approval, expiration, and processing. If you are switching jobs, relocating for residential purposes, or renewing your visa, this portal keeps you updated.
A Few Additional Ways of Checking UAE Visa Status
You can use other ways to check visa status in 2025, other than the main portals. Let’s discuss some of the easy and quick ways to check visa status, like service centers and mobile apps.
1. Local Typing Centre
- If you are not comfortable using online portals, visit the local typing center, which is authorized by the government.
- Provide your visa details, and the staff of the service center will check the UAE visa status for you.
2. UAE Pass App
- You can use this easy-to-use mobile app to check your visa status.
- You can use this app for both ICP and GDRFA services.
- You can access multiple government portals through this app.
3. Visa Status Check Service by Airlines
- To avoid delays and fines, use airlines’ websites like Etihad and Emirates to check the status of your tourist visa.
Common Issues of Checking the UAE Visa Status
1. No Record Found Error
If you face this issue, then recheck the details you have entered.
2. Expired Status
If the portal shows that your visa has expired, then you need to follow the renewal procedures. Before starting any visa renewal process, make sure to pay all outstanding UAE traffic fines online as unpaid violations can cause delays or rejection of your renewal application.
3. Visa under Processing
If your visa status shows under process, then maybe your employer or sponsor has not finalized the paperwork.
Check UAE Visa Status Today Through Online Portals
In 2025, checking visa status has become easy and fast with the help of online portals. To avoid fines and legal problems, it is important to verify the UAE visa validity. If you have applied for a Dubai visa, then use the GDRFA Dubai status portal, or if you have applied for another UAE state visa, use the ICP visa status system.
FAQs
Q1: How to check UAE visa status without an Emirates ID?
A: You can easily check the status of your UAE visa without an Emirates ID by using your passport number and visa details.
Q2: How can I find out if my visa has been granted?
A: If your visa is approved, the system will display “Active” or “Valid” when you search through the ICP or GDRFA portals.
Q3: How frequently should I check the status of my UAE visa?
A: Check your visa status every few months, especially if your visa is about to expire within a year, so you can apply for visa renewal before the expiration of your visa.
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