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Check UAE visa status, validity using only your passport

Is your residence visa about to expire? Here's how you can check your visa status online

Published: Wed 28 Aug 2019, 4:36 PM

Updated: Thu 21 Nov 2024, 3:06 PM

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It's a drill every UAE resident goes through every two years, or more, depending on the type of visa.

While most of us remember the month when our residence visa is scheduled to expire, we don't usually remember the date. So, when the date gets closer most of us are scrambling to figure out and check our visa status.

As a UAE resident, you receive many privileges, regardless of whether you reside in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah. This includes getting access to government services online. While you may not need to access all of them at all times, one of the more important and common services is to be able to check your visa status.

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So, if you find yourself wondering, ‘Can we check visa status online?’ Well, yes you can! In fact, you can do so using just your passport number in six simple steps.

Here's a step by step guide to track the visa validity using your passport:

  • Step 1: First, head to the official website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) - smartservices.icp.gov.ae.
  • Step 2: There, go to the ‘Smart Services’ and at the bar on the top, you will be able to see ‘File Validity’, click on it.
  • Step 3: Then, to be able to check visa status, select the option under ‘Search by’ that says Passport Information. If you are checking your residency visa status – make sure ‘Resident’ is selected under the type of visa.
  • Step 4: Enter passport number and passport expiry date.
  • Step 5: Enter nationality from the dropdown on the right. A corresponding number will appear on the box on the left.
  • Step 6: Select the captcha check box and click on search. The page will now display your visa details along with date of expiry.

However, this is not the only way to check the validity of your visa. Also, in the future, you will find it much easier to have access to an online copy of your visa.

Accessing it through the UAE Pass application will also be a much easier way of verifying the validity of your visa. Here’s how to get visa copy online:

The UAE Pass app is a one-stop destination for all residents, giving them immediate access to all important documents. The secure national digital identity for citizens and residents, offers access to more than 6,000 government, semi-government and private sector entities’ services through a single application.

To check visa status on the UAE Pass app, you simply have to log into the application and click on the ‘Documents’ tab, at the bottom of your screen. There, you should be able to access your Residence Visa.

How to check overstay fine

Continuing to stay in the UAE on an expired visa is illegal. Regardless of the kind of visa you have (tourist or residence), overstaying in the country would bring a fine of Dh50 per day. Earlier, tourist visa holders hand a 10-day grace period to exit the country, however, that is no longer applicable.

So, if you may have overstayed on your visa in Dubai, you can check the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

Here’s how you can check overstay fine in Dubai in just five steps:

  1. Go to the official website of the GDRFA: https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en.
  2. Right on the main home page you will be able to see a box with the title ‘Fines Inquiry’ towards the bottom of the page. Click on the box.
  3. You will then be taken to a page where you can choose between different options to see if you have fines issued against you. Depending on what is accessible and what you prefer, you can choose between your File Number, UDB Number, Emirates ID, Passport Number.
  4. You can choose whichever option you find best, and fill in information accordingly.
  5. Once you click ‘Submit’ you will be able to see any fines issued against you.

While this is only applicable for Dubai, if you reside in any other emirate, you can access the same information using ICP’s official website.

To know how to pay your overstay fine online, for all emirates, in just six steps, click here.

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