Topic Summary
What a UAE Visa Number Actually Is
A UAE visa number is a unique 10–15 digit identifier printed on your residence visa sticker or entry permit, labelled 'Visa No.' or 'Entry Permit No.' It is issued by the ICP and serves as your primary reference for all official immigration interactions.
Find It on Your Passport Visa Sticker
The visa number appears in the upper-right area of the colour-coded sticker affixed to your passport, directly below the visa type field. It is printed in black ink and is distinct from your passport number, which sits in the lower-left section.
Check Your Entry Permit Before Stamping
Before your residence visa is stamped, GDRFA issues an entry permit document that carries a temporary entry permit number. This number functions as your visa reference until the full residence visa sticker is affixed to your passport.
Retrieve It Online via ICP or GDRFA Portals
If your visa has not been stamped, you can look up your visa number on icp.gov.ae using your Emirates ID or passport number. The ICP portal manages records for over 9.9 million UAE residents, making it a reliable first stop for retrieval.
Know How It Differs from Your Emirates ID Number
Your Emirates ID number and visa number are separate identifiers that serve different purposes. The Emirates ID number identifies you as a resident, while the visa number specifically references your immigration and residency permit record.
Use It for Faster Visa Status Checks
When checking visa status on icp.gov.ae, entering your visa number returns quicker and more precise results than using your passport number alone. This is because it queries your residency record directly rather than cross-referencing passport data.
Understand Visa Validity Periods Before Renewing
Standard employment residence visas carry a two-year validity, while the Golden Visa grants a 10-year residency period under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2021. Knowing your visa number in advance helps streamline the renewal process through ICP or GDRFA.
In 2026, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) manages residency and visa records for over 9.9 million UAE residents through its portal at icp.gov.ae. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) processes over 1.2 million visa status enquiries annually via gdrfad.gov.ae. UAE residence visa renewals carry a standard validity of two years for employment visas, and the Golden Visa grants a 10-year residency period under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2021 (UAE Cabinet, 2021). With visa renewals, status checks and airline bookings all requiring a valid UAE visa number, knowing exactly where to find yours saves time and prevents costly errors.
This guide explains what a UAE visa number is, where it appears on your documents, how it differs from your Emirates ID number and file number, and exactly how to use it for ICP and GDRFA enquiries. Read our ICP smart services UAE guide for a deeper look at the full ICP portal.
What Is a UAE Visa Number
A UAE visa number is a unique identifier, typically 10 to 15 digits, printed on your residence visa sticker or entry permit and labelled "Visa No." or "Entry Permit No." It is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and used for all official immigration enquiries. Your UAE visa number is required when completing business applications, bank account openings and government service registrations.
The Official Definition and Format
Your UAE visa number is a numeric code printed directly on the residence visa sticker affixed to a page in your passport, or on the entry permit document issued before stamping. The format is typically 10 to 15 digits, and the exact length varies by visa type and year of issue. Documents label the field as "Visa No." at the residence visa stage, or "Entry Permit No." before the visa is stamped.
ICP records and issues every visa number in the UAE through its central immigration system at icp.gov.ae. A two-year employment residence visa issued in Dubai in 2024, for example, carries a 15-digit visa number printed in the top-right area of the visa sticker, directly below the visa type field. That number is your primary reference for every immigration interaction going forward.
Why Your UAE Visa Number Matters
ICP processes over 9.9 million resident records, and GDRFA handles 1.2 million+ visa status enquiries annually. Your visa number sits at the centre of all of it. Here's what it's used for:
When checking your visa status on icp.gov.ae, the portal accepts either your visa number or passport number. Having your UAE visa number on hand returns faster, more precise results because it queries the residency record directly rather than cross-referencing passport data.
Where to Find Your UAE Visa Number
Your UAE visa number appears on the visa sticker in your passport, labelled "Visa No." or "Entry Permit No.", typically in the upper section of the sticker. If your visa is not stamped in your passport, you can retrieve it from icp.gov.ae using your Emirates ID number or passport number.
On Your Passport Visa Sticker
The visa sticker is a colour-coded adhesive label affixed to a full passport page by the immigration authority at the time of stamping. The "Visa No." field sits in the upper-right area of the sticker, directly below the visa category or type line. It's printed in black ink and is entirely distinct from the passport number, which appears in the lower-left section of the sticker.
Both English and Arabic versions of the sticker carry the same field. In English it reads "Visa No."; in Arabic it reads "رقم التأشيرة". On a standard UAE residence visa sticker issued in 2024, the visa number appears as a 15-digit sequence immediately below the "Visa Type: Residence" field in the top-right quadrant. That's the number to note and keep accessible.
On Your Entry Permit Document
Before the residence visa is stamped in your passport, GDRFA issues an entry permit. This document carries an entry permit number, a temporary reference that is distinct from the final visa number. You'll find it at the top of the permit document under the heading "Entry Permit No."
Once the residence visa is stamped, the final visa number replaces the entry permit number for all future enquiries. An employee sponsored by a Dubai free zone company, for instance, receives an entry permit from GDRFA with an 8-digit entry permit number. Once they enter the UAE and complete medical testing and Emirates ID registration, a new 15-digit residence visa number is issued on the stamped visa. Keep your entry permit document until the residence visa sticker is confirmed in your passport.
Retrieving Your Visa Number Online via ICP
If your visa sticker is no longer accessible, here's how to retrieve your UAE visa number from icp.gov.ae:
For UAE Pass users, the process is even simpler. Open the UAE Pass app, navigate to "My Documents", and your active visa details including your visa number are displayed without manual data entry. A resident whose passport was replaced and whose visa sticker is no longer accessible can retrieve their active visa number this way instantly.
UAE Visa Number vs Emirates ID Number vs File Number - Quick Reference
Number Type | Where to Find It | What It Looks Like | What It Is Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
UAE Visa Number | Visa sticker in passport or icp.gov.ae | 10–15 digits, labelled "Visa No." | ICP/GDRFA status checks, airline identity verification |
Emirates ID Number | Front of Emirates ID card | 784-XXXX-XXXXXXX-X (15 digits) | UAE Pass login, banking, health insurance registration |
Visa File Number | GDRFA application receipt or employer PRO records | Alphanumeric GDRFA reference code | Employer sponsorship tracking, GDRFA application history |
Entry Permit Number | Entry permit document issued by GDRFA | Typically 8 digits (temporary) | Pre-stamping immigration reference, retired after visa stamping |
UID Number | GDRFA internal system only | Numeric internal code assigned by GDRFA | Internal GDRFA tracking, not for public portal enquiries |
UAE Visa Number vs Emirates ID Number vs File Number
A UAE visa number, Emirates ID number and visa file number are three entirely different identifiers. The visa number is on your visa sticker. The Emirates ID number is a 15-digit code on your ID card issued by ICP. The file number is a GDRFA reference assigned when your visa application was first submitted.
Understanding the Three Distinct Numbers
Confusing these three numbers is one of the most common mistakes UAE residents make when using government portals. Here's what each one is:
UAE visa number: Unique identifier on the residence visa sticker or entry permit. Used for ICP and GDRFA status checks.
Emirates ID number: 15-digit code in the format 784-XXXX-XXXXXXX-X, printed on the front of the Emirates ID card and issued by ICP.
Visa file number (GDRFA file number): Assigned by GDRFA when the visa application is first submitted. Used by employers and PRO officers for sponsorship tracking.
These three numbers are never interchangeable. Using the wrong one in a portal query returns no results or incorrect data. An HR manager filing an employee's visa renewal with GDRFA uses the visa file number. That same employee uses their Emirates ID number to log into UAE Pass. Their UAE visa number is what an airline agent checks at check-in. Three different interactions, three different numbers.
Which Number to Use and When
Here's a practical breakdown by scenario:
Worth flagging: when calling the GDRFA Dubai helpline on 800-5111, the agent will ask for your visa file number or passport number, not your Emirates ID number, to pull up your residency record. The UID (Unique Identification Number) is a separate internal code used only within GDRFA's system and is not relevant for any public portal query.
For a full breakdown of residency categories, see our types of UAE visas explained guide.
UAE Residence Visa Number - What It Looks Like
A UAE residence visa number is a unique 10 to 15-digit numeric code printed on the residence visa sticker in your passport, issued by ICP. The exact digit count varies by visa category and year of issue, employment visas issued after 2020 typically carry 15 digits.
Format by Visa Type
Employment residence visa (post-2020): typically 15 digits. Investor or partner residence visa: 10 to 15 digits, depending on whether the sponsoring authority is a free zone or mainland entity. Family and dependent residence visas: the format mirrors the sponsor's visa category, typically 15 digits for post-2020 issues. Golden Visa (10-year): 15-digit format, consistent with the standard residence visa numbering system introduced under ICP's updated platform.
A Golden Visa holder sponsored through a Dubai free zone in 2023 carries a 15-digit residence visa number on their stamp, identical in format to a standard two-year employment visa. The visa type field on the sticker, not the number itself, distinguishes the category. The Golden Visa was introduced under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2021 (UAE Cabinet, 2021).
Physical Location on the Visa Sticker
The visa sticker is a colour-coded adhesive label covering a full passport page. The visa number sits in the upper-right quadrant, directly below the "Visa Type" or "Category" field. Surrounding fields include: passport number (bottom-left), expiry date (centre), and sponsor name (lower section).
The machine-readable zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the sticker also encodes the visa number for electronic verification at ports of entry. At Dubai International Airport, the e-gate scanner reads the MRZ on your visa sticker, the visa number encoded in that strip is the same number printed visibly in the upper-right of the sticker. So even if the print is hard to read, the MRZ carries the same data.
How to Use Your UAE Visa Number for Status Checks
To check your UAE visa status using your visa number, go to icp.gov.ae, select the "Residency" enquiry option, enter your visa number or passport number and nationality, and your current visa status displays instantly. The portal is available in English and Arabic and processes results in real time.
Step-by-Step: Checking Visa Status on icp.gov.ae
An expat checking whether their employer has renewed their visa can go to icp.gov.ae, enter their passport number, and see whether the status reads "Active", "Expired" or "Cancelled", no phone call to GDRFA required. That's a genuinely useful check before a flight or a bank appointment.
Checking Visa Status via GDRFA Dubai Portal
A Dubai employer's PRO officer using gdrfad.gov.ae with an employee's visa file number can confirm the residence visa has been renewed before the old one expires. The portal displays the new visa number and expiry date in real time.
Visa Number on Entry Permit vs Residence Visa Stamp
An entry permit number is a temporary reference assigned by GDRFA before the residence visa is stamped in your passport. It is replaced by a permanent visa number once the residence visa sticker is issued. These are two different numbers, the entry permit number is not valid for ICP status checks after the visa is stamped.
Key Differences Between Entry Permit and Residence Visa Numbers
The entry permit number is issued by GDRFA when the visa application is approved. It lets you enter the UAE before the residence visa is stamped. It's typically 8 digits and is a temporary reference only.
The residence visa number is issued after the applicant completes medical testing, Emirates ID registration and visa stamping. It's typically 10 to 15 digits and is the permanent number for all future enquiries. A new employee arriving in Dubai on an entry permit with an 8-digit permit number gets a new 15-digit residence visa number once GDRFA stamps the visa in their passport. From that point, the entry permit number is retired.
What to Do with Your Entry Permit Number
If a new hire's residence visa stamping is delayed beyond 30 days, their PRO officer can track the application at gdrfad.gov.ae using the original entry permit number to identify the pending case and escalate if needed.
What to Do If You Cannot Find Your Visa Number
If you cannot find your UAE visa number, retrieve it from icp.gov.ae using your Emirates ID number or passport number. Alternatively, contact ICP on 600-522-222 or visit a GDRFA service centre with your passport and Emirates ID.
Online Retrieval Methods
A resident who lost their passport, and the visa sticker with it, can still retrieve their visa number from icp.gov.ae using their Emirates ID number. The portal displays the active visa number linked to that Emirates ID. If the visa was issued by Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or another emirate, use icp.gov.ae rather than the GDRFA Dubai portal. ICP helpline: 600-522-222.
What Is the Fastest Way to Find My UAE Visa Number Online?
The fastest method is the UAE Pass app. Once your Emirates ID is linked, your active UAE visa number displays under "My Documents" without entering any data. The entire retrieval takes under 30 seconds. For those without UAE Pass, icp.gov.ae returns results in under 60 seconds using your passport number and nationality.
Visiting a Service Centre in Person
A resident whose passport was stolen and who needs their visa number for a police report can visit the GDRFA Dubai service centre at Al Jafiliya with their Emirates ID. Staff retrieve the visa number from the system within minutes.
UAE Visa Number for ICP and GDRFA Enquiries
For ICP enquiries, use your visa number at icp.gov.ae under "Residency Services". For GDRFA Dubai enquiries, use your visa number or file number at gdrfad.gov.ae. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) at mohre.gov.ae uses the visa number to verify work permit linkage for employed residents.
Useful Resources
Citations
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.. icp.gov.ae. ICP UAE, 2024.
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.. gdrfad.gov.ae. GDRFA Dubai, 2024.
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.. mohre.gov.ae. MOHRE UAE, 2024.
UAE Cabinet.. uaecabinet.ae. UAE Cabinet, 2023.
Dubai Economy and Tourism.. dubaidet.gov.ae. DET Dubai, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
