UAE Employment Visa Status Check Online: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Last updated: May 7, 2026

If you have applied for a UAE employment visa or already hold one, you can check its status online in minutes through official portals.

This guide walks you through each step by step, lists exactly what details you need to have ready, and explains what every status message actually means — so you know what to do next without having to call your PRO.

Table of Contents

Where to Check Your Employment Visa Status Online

The UAE has a federal system for residency, but visa processing is split between two main authorities. Dubai uses GDRFA, while every other emirate uses the federal ICP. The work permit, which is a separate document issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, is checked through MOHRE.

The table below shows which portal to use, who it covers, and the official helpline for each authority.

Authority	Coverage	Online Portal	Helpline
ICP Smart Services	Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah	smartservices.icp.gov.ae	600 522222
GDRFA Dubai	Dubai only	smart.gdrfad.gov.ae	800 5111 (UAE) / +971 4 313 9999
MOHRE	Work permits (all emirates)	inquiry.mohre.gov.ae	80060

If your employer has typed the application in Dubai, use GDRFA. If they typed it in any other emirate, use ICP. The work permit is always checked through MOHRE, regardless of emirate.

What You Need Before You Start

Each portal asks for a different mix of details. Have these ready before you open the website or app — chasing missing numbers mid-form is the most common reason status checks fail.

Passport number and nationality: exactly as printed on the bio page.
Application or transaction number: issued when your employer or PRO submitted the request. It usually appears on the typing centre receipt or in your offer-letter paperwork.
File number: required for GDRFA Dubai lookups. Found on the entry permit PDF, the e-visa email, or a stamped residence visa.
Emirates ID number: only if your residence visa has already been issued.
UAE Pass: the national digital identity, now needed for most ICP services. Set it up on the UAE Pass app before starting.
Date of birth and a UAE mobile number: used by some lookup flows.

If you cannot find the application or file number, ask your employer’s HR or PRO team — they receive a copy of every typed transaction and can resend it. According to the UAE Government Portal, both portals also let you check validity using just your passport details and nationality if you do not have a transaction number.

How to Check Your Status Online

Pick the subsection that matches the authority handling your visa. Most readers will need either ICP or GDRFA for the residence visa, plus MOHRE for the work permit linked to the same job offer.

ICP Smart Services (Non-Dubai Emirates)

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) handles residence and employment visas issued anywhere outside Dubai. There are two separate flows, depending on what you want to check.

To track an in-progress application:

Open the ICP application tracking page.
Enter your request number (the application reference issued at the time of submission).
Tick the human-verification box and click Search.
Read the current status — typically Under Process, Approved, Rejected, or Pending.

To check an issued visa’s validity:

Open the ICP file validity page.
Sign in with UAE Pass or enter your passport / Emirates ID details.
The portal returns the issuance date, expiry date, and the sponsor on record.

If the page does not load or your details are not recognised, call ICP on 600 522222 or visit the ICP contact page for live chat support.

GDRFA Dubai

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs handles every visa typed in Dubai, including employment, family, and Golden Visa applications. You can check status on the GDRFA website or the Smart GDRFAD mobile app.

Open the GDRFA status inquiry page.
Choose between a Request search (in-progress application) and a File search (issued visa or entry permit).
Fill in one of the supported combinations:
- Application/transaction number + payment date.
- File number + first name + nationality + date of birth.
- Passport number + nationality + date of birth (and, depending on the flow, passport expiry date).
Submit the form to view your status, validity, and sponsor details.

The same lookup is mirrored on the Dubai.ae portal, which is useful if the GDRFA page is slow. For phone support, dial 800 5111 from inside the UAE or +971 4 313 9999 from abroad — full options are listed on the GDRFA contact page.

MOHRE Work Permit

The work permit (sometimes called the labour card) is the separate authorisation that allows your employer to bring you into the country to work. It is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and must usually be approved before the residence visa is processed.

Open the MOHRE inquiry portal, or download the MOHRE app and sign in with UAE Pass.
Choose Transactions Inquiry.
Enter your transaction number and application number (or your passport and Emirates ID through the app).
Complete the captcha and submit.

The result will show whether your work permit is approved, under process, rejected, or expired. The MOHRE transactions inquiry service page also explains how to query labour complaints and bans linked to the same record. For help, dial 80060 from any UAE number.

What Each Status Means and What to Do Next

Status messages across all three portals follow a similar pattern. Here is what the most common ones mean and the typical next step for each.

Under process / Pending: the application has been submitted and is being reviewed. No action needed unless it has been more than the standard processing window quoted by your typing centre or PRO.
Approved / Issued: your visa or permit has been issued. Download the e-visa from the same portal, or ask your employer’s PRO for the stamped copy.
Pending documents: additional paperwork has been requested. Coordinate with your PRO immediately to avoid delays or auto-rejection.
Rejected: the application has been refused. Speak to your employer about the reason and whether to reapply or appeal.
Cancelled: the application or visa has been actively withdrawn. Confirm with your employer that this is intentional, especially if the cancellation is unexpected.
Expired: your visa has passed its validity date. You must renew (or exit and re-enter on a new visa) to remain legally resident.

Important: If your residence visa is showing as expired, you may begin to accumulate overstay fines. Contact your sponsor or visit the nearest GDRFA or ICP customer happiness centre as soon as possible.

Helplines, Apps, and Common Issues

The fastest way to check status on the move is the official mobile app for each authority. All three are free and available in English and Arabic.

UAE ICP app: visa, Emirates ID, and federal services. Login uses UAE Pass.
Smart GDRFAD app: Dubai-specific visa, entry permit, and golden visa services.
MOHRE app: work permits, labour contracts, and complaints.

If a portal will not return your record, check these common issues first:

Wrong portal: using GDRFA for a Sharjah visa, or ICP for a Dubai one. Confirm the issuing emirate before searching.
File number format: UAE visa file numbers run as XXX/YYYY/XXXXXXX, where the first three digits are the emirate code (Dubai is 201), followed by the year of issue and a unique serial. Drop spaces, keep slashes.
Nationality mismatch: pick the nationality exactly as printed on your passport, not your country of residence.
UAE Pass not linked: set up UAE Pass with a valid Emirates ID before trying ICP services that need authentication.
Status stuck: if “Under Process” persists beyond the timeline your PRO quoted, escalate via the helpline rather than waiting.

If you still cannot resolve the issue, the official helplines — ICP on 600 522222, GDRFA on 800 5111, and MOHRE on 80060 — all have English-language support during UAE business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a UAE work permit and an employment visa?

The work permit, issued by MOHRE, lets your employer hire you and brings you into the country. The employment (residence) visa, issued by ICP or GDRFA, is what allows you to legally live in the UAE. Most workers need both, and they are checked on different portals.

Can I check my UAE employment visa status using only my passport number?

Yes, but only for issued visas. Both ICP and GDRFA let you query validity using your passport number, nationality, and date of birth. To track an in-progress application, you usually need the request or transaction number from your typing centre receipt.

What does “Under Process” mean and how long does it take?

“Under Process” means your application has been submitted and the authority is reviewing it. MOHRE typically reviews work-permit applications within a few working days, while the full employment-visa journey from offer letter to stamped residence visa generally takes around three to six weeks, depending on emirate, employer category, medical and Emirates ID steps, and document completeness. Confirm the expected window with your PRO.

What should I do if my visa status shows “Rejected” or “Cancelled”?

Speak to your employer’s HR or PRO team first — they receive the official reason from the authority. Depending on why it was refused, you may be able to reapply with corrected documents or appeal through the issuing authority. Do not travel until the status is resolved.

Do I need UAE Pass to check my visa status?

For basic application tracking and file validity checks, no — you can use the public lookup forms with your passport and application details. UAE Pass is required for deeper services on ICP and MOHRE, including downloading official documents and managing dependants.

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.