The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai plays a crucial role in managing residency, visa and entry permit services in the emirate. It is responsible for overseeing immigration procedures, issuing approvals and maintaining up-to-date records for residents, visitors and companies operating in Dubai.
From checking GDRFA application status and fines to obtaining GDRFA approval for UAE residents and return permits, the authority ensures streamlined processes through its digital platforms. This blog provides comprehensive information on GDRFA Dubai, including login procedures, visa tracking and contact details.
- Overview
- Key Services
- Jadeed SMS Services
- IVR Services
- Barq Services
- Takamol Service
- Smart Gate
- GDRFA Smart Services
- Fines
- Office Location
- Office Timing
- FAQs
GDRFA- Overview
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) – Dubai is the official authority managing visa services, entry permits and residency regulations in the emirate. Through its digital platforms like the GDRFA Dubai app, users can apply for visas, track GDRFA application status and access various immigration services.
It also oversees entry and exit procedures at Dubai’s ports, handles visa status, renewals, cancellations and fines for overstays. GDRFA plays a key role in supporting residents, visitors and businesses by ensuring a secure and streamlined immigration process.
GDRFA Dubai – Key Services
The GDRFA Dubai offers a comprehensive range of immigration and residency visa services in the UAE through its GDRFA AE portal, mobile app and Amer service centres. These services are designed for residents, visitors, businesses and investors, ensuring efficient handling of entry permits, visas and compliance needs.
Establishment Support Services
GDRFA Dubai provides support for company formation, assisting investors and entrepreneurs with the administrative procedures required to establish and operate businesses. This includes issuing establishment cards and GDRFA permit services.
Entry permit and visa issuance
Single-entry and multi-entry tourist visas in the UAE, visit visas for job seekers and relatives, and temporary work permits.
Residence visa services
New residency permits, renewals, data amendments, visa cancellations and transfers, including Golden and Green Visas. For instance, if you want to check visa cancellation status in the UAE, GDRFA is the platform.
Foreigners Follow-up Services
Handles concerns regarding the UAE entry permit, stay and exit of foreign nationals, ensuring full compliance with GDRFA visa status regulations.
Application and visa status tracking
Real-time checking of GDRFA application status and visa validity via the portal or app.
Violation Control
Enforces immigration laws by identifying and resolving breaches, including overstays and expired visas in the UAE. Users can check GDRFA fines, such as overstay fines in the UAE and settle them online.
Personal Status and Citizenship Services
Manages matters related to marriage, divorce and naturalisation, offering streamlined processes through the GDRFA Dubai app and official portal.
Smart Gate registration
Enrol and use Smart Gates at Dubai International Airport for expedited immigration clearance.
Establishment and legal support
Establishment and representative card issuance, legal affairs assistance, plus support for companies sponsoring employees.
Port Control Services
Oversees operations at Dubai’s air and marine ports, regulating passenger movements and ensuring secure border procedures.
These streamlined services, supported by the Salama AI platform, grant users fast, digital access to visa approval, renewals, cancellations and travel status updates.
Additional Services
- Family Book Services: Includes updating details related to marriage, divorce, adding newborns and replacing lost or damaged family books.
- Passport Services: Covers the issuance and renewal of passports, as well as replacement in case of loss or damage.
- Border Control Services: Manages and records all entry and exit movements through Dubai’s land, air and sea borders.
- Mobile Services 150: Offers information and support on residency, entry permits and inquiries about fines for overstaying in the UAE.
Jadeed SMS Service by GDRFA
The Jadeed SMS service by GDRFA Dubai is a subscription-based system that delivers timely reminders and event invitations directly to your mobile phone—no need to log into the app or website.
With Jadeed, you can receive SMS alerts for:
- Establishment Card expiry
- Passport expiry notifications (for UAE residents and nationals)
- Residence visa expiry reminders
- Invitations to major events like GITEX and Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)
- E‑Gate card renewal notifications, security messages, RSA token alerts for establishments and updates from the official DNRD website and portal
This service helps ensure you never miss critical deadlines or opportunities, combining convenience and proactive support from GDRFA Dubai.
IVR Services (Interactive Voice Response)
GDRFA Dubai offers IVR services, providing residents, visitors and companies with 24/7 access to essential information through automated phone responses. By calling the GDRFA call centre, users can:
- Check UAE visa status
- Inquire about GDRFA application status
- Get details on residency permits, entry permits and GDRFA fines
- Receive guidance on general immigration procedures
The IVR system supports multiple languages and helps reduce the need to visit service centres by giving quick answers through a simple phone call.
Barq Services
Barq is GDRFA Dubai’s fast-track document delivery service, ensuring the secure and timely delivery of original documents, such as passports, residency permits and visas, directly to applicants’ doorsteps. Once your request is processed, the documents are collected and delivered within a specified timeframe, eliminating the need for in-person collection and delivery.
Barq enhances the customer experience by saving time and offering convenience, especially for those using the GDRFA application tracking and the GDRFA Dubai app for digital processing.
Takamol Service
Takamol is an integrated system designed by GDRFA Dubai to streamline and unify transactions between government departments and the private sector. It provides a centralised digital platform for managing residency services, GDRFA visa applications and establishment card transactions, ensuring faster processing times and improved service accuracy.
This system is especially beneficial for companies managing large volumes of visa or permit requests.
Smart Gate
The Smart Gate system at Dubai International Airport enables UAE residents, GCC citizens and e-Gate cardholders to pass through immigration in seconds, eliminating the need for interaction with an officer. By scanning your passport or Emirates ID at the gate, your identity is verified using facial recognition or biometric data.
This service enhances passenger flow and supports GDRFA’s aim to offer fast, contactless immigration procedures. Users must register via the GDRFA Dubai app or at airport kiosks.
Al Saada Initiative
Al Saada (Arabic for “Happiness”) is a GDRFA initiative aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction and employee well-being. It includes programmes to improve the service environment, staff training and special campaigns or offers for customers.
Al Saada supports GDRFA’s broader vision of delivering efficient, human-focused services that align with Dubai’s smart government goals.
GDRFA Smart Services
The GDRFA Smart Services portal, launched by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai, is designed to simplify and digitise immigration and residency processes across the emirate.
The platform provides a comprehensive range of services, including entry and residence permit applications, administrative support and visa-related solutions for both UAE residents and international visitors.
It also provides access to Dubai immigration office locations, legal guidance on immigration policies and support for individuals and businesses.
GDRFA Dubai App
The GDRFA DXB app, available for both iOS and Android devices, provides complete access to Dubai’s immigration services on the go. Users can apply for and renew residency visas, obtain entry permits, sponsor family members, pay GDRFA fines and track visa and application status, all through a personalised dashboard synced with their Emirates ID and UAE Pass.
A standout feature is the Salama AI Assistant, introduced in March 2025 (version 2.4), which streamlines visa renewal and cancellation processes using AI-driven automation for faster processing.
The dashboard not only displays visa expiry dates and file numbers but also provides details of dependents, simplifying the tracking of all visa-sponsored individuals.
How to Apply for GDRFA Dubai Services
To apply for GDRFA Dubai services, residents, visitors and companies can use the official GDRFA Smart Services portal, mobile app, or visit authorised service centres, such as Amer. These platforms offer a range of immigration and residency services efficiently.
Here’s how you can apply for GDRFA Services in Dubai:
- Visit the official GDRFA website
- Log in or create an account using UAE Pass or Emirates ID
- Select the required service (e.g., visa issuance, renewal, or status check)
- Fill in the online application form with accurate details
- Upload the required documents (passport, visa copy, photos, etc.)
- Pay the applicable service fee online
- Apply and track its status through the portal or app
Alternatively, you can apply through:
- GDRFA mobile app (available on Android/iOS)
- Amer centres across Dubai for in-person assistance
- Typing centres approved by the GDRFA for application submission
GDRFA Approval
GDRFA approval is an official authorisation issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai for various immigration and residency services. It is often required for processes such as visa issuance, visa renewal, family sponsorship and re-entry into the UAE, especially for residents who have been outside the country for extended periods.
Individuals and companies can apply for GDRFA approval through the Smart Services portal or the GDRFA mobile app, making the process accessible and efficient while ensuring compliance with UAE immigration regulations.
GDRFA Fines
GDRFA fines are penalties imposed for violations of residency, visa, or immigration regulations in Dubai. These fines may result from overstaying a visa, failing to renew documents on time, or other breaches of immigration laws.
Residents, visitors and sponsors are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. Through the GDRFA Smart Services portal, individuals can easily check and pay fines online, helping them stay up to date with legal requirements and avoid further penalties under UAE immigration regulations.
How to Check
You can check fines online through:
- GDRFA AE portal via Emirates ID, passport number, file number, or UDB/UID.
- GDRFA Dubai mobile app (“Fines Inquiry” section).
- The DubaiNow app, under the Residency Services section.
- In person at the Amer or ICP customer happiness centres
GDRFA Dubai Office Location
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai has several branches and customer happiness centres across the emirate to serve residents, businesses and visitors efficiently.
Its Head Office is located at Al Jaffliya, next to the Bur Dubai Police Station, opposite the Jaffliya Metro station.
Other locations are as follows:
- Al Manara
- Al Twar
- Dubai International Airport – Terminal 3
- Dubai Festival City
- Hatta
- Al Aweer
GDRFA Dubai Office Timings
- Monday to Thursday from 06:30 AM to 03:00 PM
- Friday from 06:30 AM to 12:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday are closed
FAQs
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai is the government authority responsible for regulating entry, residency, visa services and exit procedures for foreigners in the emirate of Dubai. It oversees services such as visa issuance, renewal, cancellations and re-entry permits, ensuring compliance with UAE immigration laws.
You can check your GDRFA application status through the official GDRFA Smart Services portal. Log in using your Emirates ID, passport number, or application reference number and navigate to the “Application Status” section to view your current status.
To check your GDRFA approval status, visit the GDRFA Smart Services portal or use the GDRFA mobile app. After logging in, navigate to the relevant approval section (e.g., return permit or visa) and enter your application or file number to track the status of your request in real-time.
The GDRFA plays a vital role in overseeing residency, visa and immigration matters in Dubai. With the introduction of digital platforms and innovative services, accessing and managing GDRFA-related services has become more efficient, user-friendly and convenient than ever before. So, if you are moving to Dubai, you can get access to GDRFA services easily.
For more information on laws and regulations related to visa renewals, cancellations and sponsorships, please visit the Property Finder Blog.
