This article has been reviewed by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.
Updated May 2023
The UAE provides multiple options when it comes to obtaining a visa. If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you can apply for a visa online. The UAE also issues an e-Visa, an official document that is electronically linked to your passport and permits travel to and from the United Arab Emirates.
Keep reading to know more about checking the UAE visa status check, validity and how to extend your visa.
UAE visa validity period
Depending on the purpose of your visit, the government of UAE issues several types of visas, including business visas, tourist visas, transit visas, student visas, e-Visa for GCC residents and more. Here is the validity period of visas issued in the UAE:
- Tourist visa: It allows the person to stay in the country for up to 90 continuous days, and it may be extended for a similar period, provided that the entire period of stay does not exceed 180 days in one year. Multi-entry tourist visa valid for up to 5 years.
- Business visa: The visa is part of the Golden Visa system and allows entrepreneurs to enter the country for 6 months with a multiple-entry visa.
- eVisa (GCC residents only): The eVisa for GCC residents is valid for 30 days from the date of issue, and it is extendable once for 30 days. The GCC residency proof must be valid for at least three months from the arrival date.
- Remote work visa: The visa allows individuals to live in the UAE and continue to work for their existing employer outside the UAE. Remote work visas are valid for 1 year and are renewable upon re-application.
- Student visa: The visas are valid for one year from the date of issuance and are renewable for a similar period upon presenting official proof of continuation of study in the UAE.
- Retirement visa: Retired residents over the age of 55 can apply for this visa which is valid for 5 years and is renewable.
Validity period of residence visa after staying abroad
Most Residence visa holders are only allowed to spend 6 months outside the UAE before they lose their residency. However, the following categories of visa holders are exempt from this visa validity rule. These include:
- Golden visa holders
- Investors with a residence permit under an approved classification, government employees sent abroad for medical reasons or on assignment.
- A foreign national wife of an Emirati citizen sponsored by her husband
- Domestic helpers accompanying Emirati citizens
- People sponsored by the diplomatic or consular representative of the UAE
- Foreign national students enrolled with a university or institute abroad — this applies to Dubai
However, the UAE has now launched a reentry permit which allows residency visa holders staying outside the UAE for more than six months to reenter the country. The reentry permit will allow UAE residents staying outside the UAE for over six months to reenter the Emirate within 30 days from the date of approval of the permit.
Hence, with the Dubai and UAE reentry permit, residents can now stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months without getting their residency cancelled.
UAE visa validity check
Dubai
You will need to visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website to check your visa status and validity period.
For visas issued in Dubai, you can communicate with Amer service on the toll-free number 800 5111 if you live in the UAE. If you are in a country outside the UAE, call Amer on the toll-free number +9714-313-9999.
Dubai visa status check using the GDRFA mobile app
You can check your Dubai visa status through the GDRFA Dubai mobile app (Android or iOS) and upload your details on the app as required.
- select “File Status Inquiry” under the services label.
- click on “Entry Permit Inquiry” if you have a labour contract but have not yet received your visa.
- click on “Residency Inquiry” if your entry permit is approved and you have completed the ID test and medical typing.
- enter your details, including your name, visa number, nationality and date of birth.
- double-check the details you have entered and click on “Inquiry”
If all your details are correct, you will then see a green check mark at the bottom of the page along with additional visa details such as your full name, visa expiry date, type of visa and visa number.
You can now make more enquiries regarding the GDRFA service with the help of the DUBAI NOW mobile app (Android or iOS).
Dubai visa status check using the GDRFA portal
You can check your Dubai visa status through the AMER GDRFA portal by following the steps mentioned below:
- visit the AMER GDRFA official website link given here.
- under general enquiry select “File Type” – entry permit or residence.
- select “Residence Validity”.
- enter your details, including your name, visa number, nationality and date of birth.
- enter the captcha code and hit submit.
If all your details are correct, your visa validity details will appear in green below your submission form with all your visa details, such as your full name, visa expiry date, type of visa and visa number.
Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah
Once you apply for an entry permit or residence visa to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, you can check the status and validity period of your visa on the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship-ICA website.
You can also contact the ICA at their toll-free number, 600522222, for any inquiry regarding visa issuance, types and validity period.
UAE visa validity ICA check using a passport
Here is an easy guide to checking your visa status with your passport number through ICA. This process is applicable only if your visa has been issued in Abu-Dhabi, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah or Ajman:
- visit the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship – ICA website.
- select “Passport Information”
- select “Visa” or “Residency”, depending on the visa type
- enter your passport number and passport expiry date
- select your nationality
- check the captcha checkbox and click search.
This will then display all your current visa status information.
UAE visa validity for travel
The validity permit for visit visas, tourist visas and/or employment visas is 60 days from the issue date. However, the validity of entry permits for GCC residents is 30 days from the issue date.
UAE visa validity for Schengen Visa
A Schengen visa holder from Dubai has a validity of 90 days. To know more about applying for a Schengen Visa from the UAE, check out our article: How and Where to Apply for Schengen Visa If You’re a UAE Resident?
UAE visa validity after cancellation
As announced by the ICP, the grace period after the residence visa expiry or cancellation in the UAE for expats has been extended from 30 days to 6 months. Therefore, expats now have 6 months to either amend their status and get another residence visa or leave the country. Fines do not apply during the grace period.
Furthermore, tourists and visit visa holders have a grace period of 30 days.
The overstay fine for tourist visas, visit visas, and residency visa holders are AED 50 (USD 13.62) per day. Additionally, they will also have to pay for the exit permit issuance, which costs up to AED 300.
Dubai & UAE reentry permit
The travel and typing centre agents in Dubai have confirmed that residency visa holders staying outside the UAE for more than six months can now reenter the country by applying for a reentry permit. The reentry permit will allow UAE residents staying outside the UAE for over six months to reenter the Emirate within 30 days from the date of approval of the permit.
Hence, with the Dubai and UAE reentry permit, residents can now stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months without getting their residency cancelled. However, to be eligible to apply for this new permit, residents must provide:
- a reason for having stayed outside the country for over six months and must furnish proof of the same.
The reentry permit can be applied for through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) official website.
You can find out more about the Dubai and UAE reentry permit from our dedicated article below
UAE visa extension
All types of tourist visas may be extended for 30 more days from within the country. The fee for each extension is AED 600 (USD 163).
Visa holders do not need to leave and re-enter the country to extend their visas, but they must ensure that the renewal process can be completed before expiry. They can also contact their visa-issuing agent for an extension.
If you’re looking to find budget-friendly ways how you can extend your Dubai & UAE visit visa, please consult our article below.
UAE visa application status
UAE visa holders of any kind can track their application status through online and offline facilities by the UAE government. Please always remember to ask for the application number and reference number from any visa service provider when you submit your visa application These two are important requirements for you to track your application status.
Checking visa application status through website
If you applied for a visa in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, or Fujairah, you can track your visa application status on the website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP), which is here. Furthermore, if you applied for a visa in Dubai, you should visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai by visiting this link.
On both websites, you will have to enter your application number, the transaction number, and the payment date for the visa and also tick the box verifying your identity as a human user. After that, the system will inform you whether your application is being processed or whether the visa has already been issued.
Checking visa application status through DubaiNow
Besides the websites, you can also track your visa application status and validity through DubaiNow. To use the app to track your visa application, please follow these steps:
- download the app on App store or Play store
- click on the ‘Residency’ option, which will be among the services listed on the app’s home page
- click on ‘Check Visa Status’ option
- enter the application number, transaction number and payment date
- click ‘Submit’
How to change UAE visa status to a residency visa?
Holders of any type of UAE visa can modify their entry status while staying in the country if they wish to transfer it into a residency visa. Modifying visa status into a residency visa can be done if the individual meets the required terms and conditions. A fee of AED 550 will be charged in lieu of leave.
However, the applicant must ensure that the visa status modification process is carried out before the expiry of their current visa to avoid any penalties.
