How to Check Your UAE Visa Status on the ICP Website (2026 Guide)

Last updated: Jun 3, 2026

This article has been reviewed by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated June 2026

Key takeaways

Where to check: Verify your UAE visa or residency status on the official ICP Smart Services website.

What to have ready: Your passport number, passport expiry date, and nationality.

If expired: You will need to renew, and a flat overstay fine of AED 50 per day may apply.

Keeping track of your visa or residency status in the UAE is essential, whether you are a resident, a sponsor, or a visitor. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) lets you check this online in minutes.

This guide walks you through the ICP visa-status check step by step. It also covers what your result means and what to do if your visa has expired.

Planning a trip while you sort out your paperwork? You can compare flights to Dubai and flights to Abu Dhabi on Wego.

Table of Contents

How to check your UAE visa status on ICP

The ICP service covers visas and residencies issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. For visas issued in Dubai, use the GDRFA Dubai service instead (covered further below).

What you need

Passport number: entered exactly as it appears in your passport.
Passport expiry date: in the format shown on the page.
Nationality: selected from the dropdown list.

Process

Open the portal: Go to the ICP Smart Services file-validity page.
Choose a search type: Under “Search by”, select Passport Information.
Select the category: Choose “Visa” for entry permits or “Residency” for residence visas.
Enter your details: Type your passport number and passport expiry date.
Select nationality: Pick your nationality from the list.
Verify and search: Tick the captcha checkbox and click search.
Read the result: Review the status displayed on screen.

Checking a Dubai-issued visa via GDRFA

The ICP portal does not cover visas issued by Dubai. If your visa or residency was issued in Dubai, check it through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai).

Visit the site: Go to the GDRFA Dubai website (gdrfad.gov.ae).
Find the enquiry tool: Open the visa or file-validity enquiry service.
Enter your details: Provide your passport or file number along with the requested fields, then submit.

What your result means

The status shown tells you whether your visa or residency is still valid. Here is how to read the two most common outcomes.

Result	What it means
Active / valid	Your visa or residency is valid within its stated validity period.
Expired	You must renew to restore status. Overstay fines may apply if you did not renew in time.

Overstay fines and grace periods in 2026

On 11 February 2026, the ICP moved the UAE to a unified fine system. Overstaying any visa type now carries a single flat fine of AED 50 per day beyond your authorised stay.

This AED 50 per day rate applies across all seven emirates and to tourist, visit, and residence visas alike. It replaces the older tiered fines that varied by visa type.

Grace periods depend on your visa category. Tourist and visit-visa holders generally start accruing fines the day after expiry, while cancelled-residence-visa holders keep a grace window of 30 days or longer depending on their visa category.

If you overstay by more than 30 days, you may also need an exit permit (out-pass) before leaving the country. This typically costs around AED 200 to AED 300 and is issued only after outstanding fines are settled.

The emergency grace period that let residents with expired permits re-enter without a new entry visa ended on 31 March 2026. From 1 April 2026, standard entry rules apply in full.

Troubleshooting common errors

“No record found”: Re-check your passport number and the nationality you selected.
Wrong tab: Use “Residency” for a residence visa and “Visa” for an entry permit.
Typos or formatting: Match the passport expiry date format shown on the page exactly.
Captcha issues: Refresh the page and run the search again.
Dubai visa not showing: If issued in Dubai, check via GDRFA Dubai rather than ICP.

Planning your UAE travel

Once your status is confirmed, you can move ahead with your travel plans. Wego makes it easy to compare options across the UAE.

Flights: Browse flights to Dubai or flights to Abu Dhabi.
Hotels: Find hotels in Dubai for your stay.
Flight tracking: Check live arrivals and departures with DXB flight tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check both entry permits and residency visas on ICP?

Yes. Choose “Visa” for entry permits or “Residency” for residence visas on the ICP file-validity page.

Which details are required to check my visa status?

Three details. You need your passport number, passport expiry date, and nationality.

What if my result shows “expired”?

You will need to renew. A flat overstay fine of AED 50 per day may apply if you did not renew on time.

Where do I check a Dubai-issued visa?

Use GDRFA Dubai. The ICP service covers the other emirates, so Dubai-issued visas should be checked on the GDRFA Dubai website (gdrfad.gov.ae).

How much is the UAE overstay fine in 2026?

AED 50 per day. Since 11 February 2026, the UAE applies a single flat fine of AED 50 per day across all visa types and all seven emirates.

Book cheap flights to the UAE

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.