Key takeaways
- Dubai visas are checked with GDRFA Dubai; visas from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah with ICP.
- Both offer two checks: the status of an application, and the validity (issue and expiry dates) of a visa.
- Work permits and labour contracts are a separate record, held by MOHRE.
- When residence expires, the Emirates ID linked to it expires too, so check both dates together.
- Overstaying after the grace period costs AED 50 a day, according to ICP.
Which service checks which visa
The UAE government portal splits visa checks by the emirate that issued the visa. Pick the service that matches where your visa or residence was issued, not where you live today.
| What you want to check | Visa issued in | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Status of a visa application | Dubai | GDRFA Dubai status inquiry |
| Validity of a visa or residence (issue and expiry dates) | Dubai | GDRFA Dubai status inquiry |
| Status of a visa application | Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah | ICP smart services: application tracking |
| Validity of a visa or residence file | The same six emirates | ICP smart services: file validity |
| Work permit or labour contract | Mainland employer, any emirate | MOHRE eServices and app |
How to check a Dubai visa status (GDRFA Dubai)
GDRFA Dubai runs one public status inquiry for both checks: where an application stands, and the issue and expiry dates of a visa. Open the status inquiry on GDRFA Dubai's smart services, choose the check you need and enter the details the form asks for, using the reference numbers on your application or visa documents.
If you are an employee and your company is processing the visa, the company's typing centre or PRO will have the application number. Ask for it before you try to check, because the inquiry works from those numbers.
Residence permits in Dubai's private sector are issued for two years. GDRFA Dubai lists an expected completion time of 48 hours for issuing them once the file is complete, so a status that hasn't moved for several days usually means a document or payment is outstanding.
How to check a visa status in the other emirates (ICP)
For visas issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) runs two public tools on its smart services site: application tracking, and file validity for the issue and expiry dates.
Some ICP services need you to sign in with UAE PASS, the national digital identity. Renewal, for example, can only be started after logging in with UAE PASS, so set it up before your residence is close to expiry.
Checking a work permit or labour contract
A residence visa and a work permit are separate records. If you work for a mainland company, MOHRE holds your electronic work permit and labour contract. Employers track applications through MOHRE's eServices on its website and app, and employees can usually look up their own permit and contract through MOHRE's enquiry services, using the reference numbers on the offer or contract.
If your residence shows as valid but your work permit has expired, the employer needs to renew the permit. Our UAE labour card guide explains renewal, amendment and cancellation.
What the result means, and what to do next
- In process or under review: the authority is still working on it. Wait, but check that every requested document and fee has been sent.
- Approved or issued: the visa or residence exists. For residence, check the expiry date and set a reminder well before it.
- Expired: your sponsor must renew before expiry; once it has expired, the grace period for your category applies.
- Cancelled: the residence has ended. The grace period starts, and you need a new residence or must leave before it ends.
The UAE government portal also notes that your Emirates ID expires with your residence, and that a residence visa is cancelled if you live outside the UAE for more than 180 days in a row, with some exceptions. If the dates you see don't match what you expected, contact the authority before travelling.
Grace periods and overstay fines
If your residence has expired or been cancelled, ICP's renewal service lists how long you can stay to renew, get a new residence or leave:
| Residence category | Grace period after expiry or cancellation |
|---|---|
| Golden, Green and Blue residence holders, and some family members | 180 days |
| Skilled workers (levels 1 to 3) and property owners | 90 days |
| Permits issued with a guarantor or host | 60 days |
| All other categories | 30 days |
The UAE government portal confirms that grace periods reach up to six months depending on the resident's category, and that overstaying costs AED 50 a day. Our residence visa renewal guide covers the renewal steps.
If the result looks wrong
Contact the authority that issued the visa. The UAE government portal lists ICP's toll-free number, 600522222, for visa issuance and validity enquiries, and GDRFA Dubai's numbers, 800 5111 inside the UAE and +971 4 313 9999 from abroad.
Have your passport and Emirates ID to hand, plus any application or file number. If your employer or a PRO filed the application, ask them first: they can usually see why a file is waiting.
We track employee and family visas for our clients and send each status change as it happens. See our employment visa service and family visa service.
Sources
- UAE government portal: track visa application and validity
- UAE government portal: general provisions for the residence visa
- ICP: renewal of residency permits
- GDRFA Dubai: residence permits for the private sector
- UAE government portal: work permits
Official sources checked on 7 November 2026. This guide explains published rules in plain English and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we check the current position for your case before you act.