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To check a UAE employment or residence visa online, look at two places. The work permit sits with MOHRE. The residence file sits with GDRFA if it was issued in Dubai, or with ICP if it came from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah. The Emirates ID follows the residence file.
The three records
| Record | Held by | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit | MOHRE | Application and permit status |
| Residence file | GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates) | Status and expiry date |
| Emirates ID | ICP | Card status and expiry |
Source: u.ae, GDRFA and ICP service pages, checked .
For the work permit, follow work permit status check. The rest of this page is about the residence and the card.
Check a Dubai residence file
The GDRFA Visa Status service is described on its page as a way to verify entry and residence permits and establishment cards. On the smart portal:
- Open the status inquiry and choose the File tab.
- Type your first name in English, exactly as in the passport.
- Enter the file number, the nationality and the date of birth.
- Read the status and the expiry date.
The File tab is the one for an issued residence. The Application tab, which asks for an application number, a transaction number and a payment date, is for a request still in process. The page opens in Arabic first, with a language switch at the top.
Check a residence from another emirate
ICP covers six emirates. Its file validity tool on smart services is the one u.ae points to for issued visas and residence. Guides report that it takes a file number or passport details with nationality and date of birth. The form is the final word on fields.
When we tried the ICP links on they showed "We are coming back soon!". If that happens, wait and try again, or use your account on smart services and the UAEICP app. Our ICP visa status check page has the long version.
The Emirates ID
- The ID is tied to the residence. u.ae says that when a residence visa is cancelled, the Emirates ID is cancelled automatically.
- You may renew it up to six months before it expires.
- If you renew more than one month after expiry, the late fee is AED 20 a day, up to AED 1,000.
- ICP lists an ID Card Status service among its interactive services, behind a Smart Services login.
See Emirates ID for residents for renewal and what the card is used for.
How long a residence lasts
The ICP FAQ says residence permits are granted for one, two or three years, and for five years or more in specific categories. A standard work permit under the MOHRE rules on u.ae is valid for 2 years. Your file expiry may therefore differ from your permit expiry, and both matter. Renewing a residence in Dubai costs AED 740 in total on the GDRFA page for the standard private sector case, and the early renewal window is covered on visa renewal in Dubai.
If the check shows a problem
| What you see | What it can mean | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| File not found | Wrong authority, name or number | Check the issuing emirate and the spelling |
| Expired | Residence ended | Grace period depends on category, see grace period after cancellation |
| Cancelled | Employer or sponsor cancelled it | Ask for the cancellation papers, see residence visa cancellation |
| Different dates for permit and residence | Two separate records | Ask the employer's PRO which one is due |
The grace period before fines is 30 days for most categories, 60 days for permits with a guarantor or host, 90 days for skilled workers levels 1 to 3 and property owners, and 180 days for Golden, Green and Blue holders and some family groups, per the ICP cancellation page. GDRFA Dubai service pages state 60 days. After the grace period, the fine is AED 50 a day.
Official sources
- GDRFA Visa Status service: what the service verifies.
- GDRFA status inquiry: File and Application tabs.
- u.ae: track visa application and validity: GDRFA and ICP split.
- ICP FAQ: residence permit periods.
- ICP interactive services: ID Card Status.
- u.ae: Emirates ID: the link to residence, renewal and late fee.
- ICP cancellation service: grace periods by category.
