In the UAE, managing your visa status no longer requires long queues or multiple visits. Most visa status check or cancellation requests can now be handled online through UAE official government platforms. As a result, residents and visitors can stay informed, compliant, and prepared at every stage.
This guide explains how to check your UAE visa status, confirm validity, and cancel a visa correctly.
- Understanding how the UAE visa system works
- Visa status/validity check overview
- How to check visa status & validity for non-Dubai emirates
- Checking visa status online in Dubai
- Offline options for checking visa status
- UAE Visa cancellation overview
- What to prepare before cancelling your visa
- Visa cancellation requirements and responsibilities
- How to cancel a UAE visa online or offline
- Grace period and overstay fines
- FAQs
Understanding how the UAE visa system works
Before checking a visa, it helps to understand who manages the process. In the UAE, visa services are handled by two main authorities:
- ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security): Covers Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
- GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai): Handles all Dubai-issued visas.
Although the services are similar, each authority uses its own portal and tracking system. Therefore, using the correct platform is essential.
UAE visa status/validity check Overview
Whether it’s a work visa or a UAE residency visa, staying informed about its status and validity is essential. The UAE government has made it convenient to check your visa status online through platforms like ICP and GDRFA.
By following a few simple steps, you can easily verify the current status of your visa, ensuring compliance with UAE regulations and planning your stay or departure accordingly.
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How to check UAE visa status for non-Dubai emirates
If your visa was issued in any emirate other than Dubai, the ICP portal should be your starting point. It allows users to track applications, confirm approvals, and verify visa validity.
To check your UAE visa status online via the ICP portal, follow these steps:
- Visit the official ICP website.
- Click on ‘Public Services’ from the menu and then select ‘Online Visa Status Check’.
- Once redirected, select your search by method, either File No. or Passport Information. Also, select the visa type from ‘Visa’ or ‘Residency’ and then select the ‘File Type’ from the given options.
- Next, enter your passport number, passport expiry date and Nationality. Complete the captcha and hit ‘Search’ to view your visa status.
The system will display whether your application is under process, approved, rejected, or cancelled. This method is especially useful if your application was submitted through a sponsor, employer, or typing centre.
How to check UAE visa validity online
Knowing that your visa is approved is not enough. You must also know when it expires. The ICP portal allows you to check visa validity using passport details.
To check visa validity:
- Visit the ICP website.
- Click on ‘Passport Information’.
- Select ‘Visa’ or ‘Residency’.
- Enter your passport number, expiry date and nationality.
- Click ‘Submit’ to view the visa expiry date and details.
Checking visa status online in Dubai
Dubai-issued visas must be checked through GDRFA services. While the process is similar to ICP, the tracking options are more detailed.
To check your visa application status in Dubai:
- Visit the GDRFA official website.
- Choose the option ‘Visa Status’ to track your application.
- Now, select from the following options based on what you need to track:
- Application
- File
- Over the Counter Service Applications
- Special Requests
- Establishment
- Application for Reconsideration
- Enter the required details such as the Application, File No. and Nationality, among others and complete the captcha.
- Click ‘Search’ or ‘Track’ to view the status of your application or request.
Using the DubaiNow app for visa checks
Dubai residents can also use the DubaiNow app, available on Google Play and the App Store. The app provides access to visa status, residency details, fines, and other government services in one place. This option is helpful for users who prefer mobile access or want consolidated information.
Checking visa status using passport number only
Sometimes, you may not have an application or file number. This situation is common for ‘visit’ visa holders or those who applied through travel agencies. But don’t worry, both ICP and GDRFA allow visa checks using passport details alone.
Simply, you have to enter:
- Passport number
- Passport expiry date
- Nationality
Once entered, the system will show whether the visa is active, expired, or cancelled.
Offline options for checking UAE visa status
Although online services cover most needs, offline support is still available for those who require assistance.
In Dubai, the Amer service can be reached by calling 800 5111 within the UAE or +971 4 313 9999 from abroad.
For other emirates, the ICP contact centre is available at 600 522222.
UAE Visa Cancellation Overview
Cancelling your UAE visa is an important process if you’re planning to leave the country or transition to a new visa status. During this transition, if you are relocating within the city, you might be browsing Dubai apartments to rent or a studio apartment in Dubai to settle into a new home before finalizing your residency procedures.
Automatic visa cancellation rules
To avoid automatic cancellation of your UAE residence visa, do not stay outside the country for more than six months consecutively. Regular visits to the UAE, with intervals of less than six months, will help prevent cancellations.
When visa cancellation becomes necessary
Visa cancellation is required in several situations. These include leaving the UAE permanently, changing employers, or switching visa types.
Cancelling a visa officially is not optional. It is a legal step that protects you from overstaying fines, entry bans, and future application issues. Understanding the process in advance helps ensure a smooth exit or transition.
What to prepare before cancelling your UAE visa
Before starting the cancellation process, it is important to settle all personal and financial obligations. This includes:
- Clearing credit cards and loans
- Paying utility bills
- Closing or transferring bank accounts
- Cancelling tenancy agreements
- Selling or transferring assets if needed
- Handling these steps early prevents complications later.
Visa cancellation requirements and responsibilities
Employees are required to resolve all employment-related matters before visa cancellation, which includes:
- Receiving final salary payments
- Confirming gratuity and leave encashment
- Signing cancellation documents only after settlement
On the other hand, employers are responsible for:
- Terminating the labour contract through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)
- Cancelling the work permit
- Obtaining a signed clearance letter from the employee
- Submitting the visa cancellation request through ICP or GDRFA
How to cancel a UAE visa online or offline
Visa cancellation can be completed through official online platforms or authorised service centres.
Cancellation options in Dubai
Dubai residents can cancel visas through:
- GDRFA website
- DubaiNow app
- Amer Centres
- GDRFA service offices
Cancellation options in other emirates
For non-Dubai visas, cancellation can be done via:
- ICP website
- ICP mobile app
- Approved typing centres
In most cases, the sponsor or employer must initiate the cancellation request.
Visa cancellation is generally processed within 24 to 48 hours once the request is submitted correctly. Applicants usually receive confirmation via email or SMS after approval.
Grace period and overstay fines in the UAE
The grace period refers to the time you are legally allowed to remain in the UAE after your visa has been cancelled or has expired. This period is designed to give residents flexibility to either leave the country or regularise their status without immediate penalties.
Depending on the visa category, residents may be granted a grace period of up to six months. During this time, you may exit the UAE, change your visa status, or apply for a new residence permit.
However, once the grace period ends, overstaying becomes a violation. The Federal Authority of Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has standardised overstay fines across visa types. The current fine is AED 50 per day for visit, tourist, and residence visas.
Key Takeaways
Managing a UAE visa is now largely digital, making both status checks and cancellations faster and more transparent for residents and visitors. The process starts with identifying the correct authority, as ICP oversees visas issued outside Dubai while GDRFA manages those issued within the emirate.
Regularly checking your visa status and validity helps you avoid overstays, automatic cancellations, and unexpected fines. Because most visa cancellations must be initiated by employers or sponsors, early preparation and clear coordination are essential. Understanding grace periods and overstay penalties also allows you to plan exits or status changes legally, confidently, and without unnecessary stress.
FAQs
For visas issued outside Dubai, visit the ICP website and use your passport number, expiry date, and nationality, or your file number. For Dubai-issued visas, use the GDRFA Dubai portal, entering your application number, file number, or passport details to view your visa status instantly.
Yes, you can check your visa status using your passport number, passport expiry date, and nationality through the ICP or GDRFA portals, depending on where the visa was issued.
Yes. Your existing work visa must be cancelled before a new employer can issue a replacement visa, unless a legal transfer applies.
It is recommended to check your visa validity regularly, especially before travelling, changing jobs, or nearing the expiry date, to avoid overstays or cancellation issues.
Yes. Even if a travel agency submitted your application, you can still track your visa using passport details or by requesting the application number from the agency.
