UAE Visa Questions
The questions people in the UAE search for most, with short answers. Each topic links to a full step-by-step guide.
Visa status
- How do I check my UAE visa status?
- Use ICP Smart Services for visas from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates, or GDRFA for Dubai visas. Enter your passport number, nationality and date of birth (or the application/file number).
- Can I check UAE visa status with my passport number?
- Yes. Both ICP and GDRFA let you search by passport number together with your nationality and date of birth.
- How do I check my UAE visa validity?
- The same status check shows the visa type, issue date and expiry date. For a visit visa, your allowed stay counts from the day you enter.
- What does GDRFA or ICA approval mean?
- The immigration authority has approved your entry permit — GDRFA for Dubai, ICP (formerly ICA) for the other emirates. You can print the e-visa and travel.
Cancellation
- How do I check UAE visa cancellation status with passport number?
- Run a status check on ICP or GDRFA with your passport details. A cancelled visa shows the status "cancelled".
- How do I cancel an employment visa in the UAE?
- Only your sponsor can cancel it, through MOHRE and then ICP or GDRFA. You sign the cancellation form and the grace period starts.
Fines and bans
- How do I check my visa fine in the UAE?
- Overstay fines appear in the ICP or GDRFA fine enquiry using your passport or file number.
- How do I check UAE visa ban status with passport number?
- There is no public ban checker. Contact ICP or GDRFA directly, or check labour bans on the MOHRE app.
Extensions and banned countries
- How do I extend or renew my UAE visit visa?
- Apply from inside the UAE before your visa expires, through ICP, GDRFA or the agency that issued it. Do not overstay while waiting.
- Which countries are banned from a UAE visa?
- There is no permanent published list; visit-visa pauses for some nationalities change without notice. Check your passport in our eligibility checker.
Cost
- How much is a UAE visit visa?
- It depends on stay length and entries. Our fees page shows the current all-inclusive price of every UAE visa type.
Transit
- What is a transit visa?
- A short-stay visa (48 or 96 hours) that lets you leave the airport during a layover in the UAE. You do not need one if you stay airside.