UAE Visa Check By Passport Number: How To Check Visa Validity Through ICP

If you need to check whether your UAE visa is still valid, the first thing to know is that the correct portal depends on where your visa was issued.

For most UAE visa validity checks outside Dubai, you should start with the ICP Smart Services portal. ICP stands for the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and the official UAE government portal says visa application status and validity can be checked through ICP. For Dubai-issued visas, the UAE government portal directs travellers to GDRFA Dubai services instead.

This guide focuses on UAE visa validity checks by passport number, especially for travellers and residents whose visas are handled through ICP or non-Dubai UAE channels. If your visa was issued in Dubai, read our Dubai Visa Check guide instead, because Dubai cases usually need GDRFA Dubai.

The key point: if your UAE visa status does not appear, it does not always mean your visa is invalid. You may simply be checking the wrong portal or using the wrong details.

If you are preparing travel documents before your trip, use Outbound Visa’s Free Visa Tools to organise your passport, visa, entry permit, and travel checklist.

UAE Visa Check Vs Dubai Visa Check

Many travellers use “Dubai visa” and “UAE visa” as if they mean the same thing. They are related, but the checking process can be different.

The UAE has seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. ICP describes itself as the authority responsible for identity, citizenship, passports, and entry and residence matters for foreigners in the UAE.

Use this simple guide:

Do not keep trying the same portal if your record does not appear. First confirm whether the visa is Dubai-issued or ICP-issued.

For a full Dubai-focused guide, read: Dubai Visa Check: How To Check Your UAE Visa Status Online.

When To Use ICP For A UAE Visa Check

Use ICP Smart Services when your visa, entry permit, or residence record is handled through the federal UAE system or an emirate outside Dubai.

This may apply to visas or residence records linked to:

• Abu Dhabi

• Sharjah

• Ajman

• Umm Al Quwain

• Ras Al Khaimah

• Fujairah

• Federal UAE Visa Services

• UAE Residence Visa Validity

• Entry Permit Validity Outside Dubai

• Some Tourist Or Visit Visa Records Not Issued By Dubai

The official UAE government portal says you can check visa application status and validity through ICP, while Dubai visa holders should use GDRFA Dubai.

What Details Do You Need To Check UAE Visa Validity?

The exact details depend on the ICP service you use, but you may need:

• Passport Number

• Passport Expiry Date

• Nationality

• Visa File Number

• Entry Permit Number

• Application Number

• Emirates ID Number, If Applicable

• Date Of Birth

• Unified Number, If Applicable

If you only have a passport number, choose the service that allows passport-based checking. If the portal asks for file number or application number, check your visa copy, entry permit, email confirmation, or sponsor documents.

Keep these documents ready before checking:

• Passport biodata page

• UAE visa copy or entry permit

• Application receipt

• Sponsor confirmation

• Email confirmation

• Emirates ID, if you are a resident

• Old passport, if your visa was linked to a previous passport

How To Check UAE Visa Validity Through ICP

The exact layout of the ICP website may change, but the general process is usually similar.

1. Go to the official ICP Smart Services website.

2. Choose the service related to visa validity, file validity, entry permit, or residence.

3. Select the correct search option, such as passport information or file information.

4. Enter your passport number, passport expiry date, nationality, or file details.

5. Submit the request.

6. Review the visa validity, expiry date, or status shown by the system.

Make sure every detail matches your passport exactly. Even one wrong digit in the passport number can show no result.

Use the official ICP Smart Services portal rather than random third-party websites. ICP Smart Services is the official UAE federal portal for identity, visa, residency, and related services.

Can You Check UAE Visa Status By Passport Number?

Yes, in many cases, you can check UAE visa validity using passport details through the relevant official UAE service. But not every search works with passport number alone.

Some services may require:

• Passport number and nationality

• Passport expiry date

• Visa file number

• Application number

• Emirates ID number

• Unified number

If passport number alone does not work, it does not automatically mean your visa is fake or cancelled. It may mean the service needs a file number, application number, or the visa was issued through Dubai/GDRFA instead.

UAE Visa Validity Vs UAE Visa Application Status

These are not always the same.

If your visa has already been issued, check validity. If you recently applied and are waiting for a decision, check application status.

Common UAE Visa Status Messages

Different UAE portals may use different wording, but these are common meanings:

Do not travel only based on a screenshot from an agent. Try to verify the status through the official portal or ask for the official application reference.

What If Your UAE Visa Shows “No Record Found”?

A “no record found” result can feel scary, but it does not always mean your visa is invalid.

Try these checks first:

• Confirm whether your visa was issued by Dubai or another emirate.

• Use ICP for non-Dubai/federal records.

• Use GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas.

• Re-enter your passport number carefully.

• Check passport expiry date format.

• Confirm nationality selection.

• Use file number or application number if passport search does not work.

• Ask your sponsor or visa provider for the issuing authority.

• Wait if the application was submitted very recently.

• Contact the official portal support if the issue continues.

The most common reasons for no result are wrong portal, wrong passport details, old passport details, or missing application reference.

UAE Visa Check For Tourists

Tourists may need to check UAE visa status if:

• Their visa was arranged by an airline

• Their visa was arranged by a hotel

• A travel agency applied for the visa

• A family member or sponsor arranged it

• They received only a screenshot and want to verify

• Their travel date is close

• They need to confirm expiry date before flying

For tourists, the most important questions are:

• Who issued the visa?

• Is it Dubai-issued or ICP-issued?

• What is the entry permit number?

• Does the passport number match?

• Is the visa still valid for entry?

• Are the travel dates still within validity?

If your Dubai tourist visa was issued through Dubai, use GDRFA Dubai. If it was issued through another UAE channel, use ICP.

UAE Visa Check For Residents

UAE residents may need to check visa validity before:

• Renewing residence

• Travelling outside the UAE

• Returning to the UAE

• Changing jobs

• Sponsoring family

• Checking expiry date

• Confirming cancellation status

• Avoiding overstay problems

A UAE residence visa check may involve passport details, Emirates ID, file number, or other record details depending on the service.

Residents should check visa validity before travel, especially if their visa or Emirates ID is close to expiry.

UAE Visa Check Before You Fly

Before travelling to the UAE, check:

• Your Visa Or Entry Permit Is Approved

• Your Passport Number Matches The Visa

• Your Name Spelling Is Correct

• Your Visa Has Not Expired

• Your Entry Validity Still Covers Your Travel Date

• You Are Using ICP Or GDRFA Based On The Issuing Emirate

• Your Sponsor Or Agent Gave You The Official Reference

• Your Passport Has Enough Validity

• Your Return Or Onward Ticket Is Ready, If Required

• Your Hotel Or Host Details Are Ready

If your case is more complex, such as previous UAE overstay, cancelled residence visa, unclear entry permit, sponsor issue, or a rejected application, Visa Concierge can help review the situation before you travel. For simple travel preparation, Smart VisaAssist can help check your basic readiness.

You can also compare similar cases in the Outbound Visa Forum.

How To Avoid Fake UAE Visa Check Websites

Visa checks involve passport details, so be careful where you enter your information.

Use official channels such as:

• ICP Smart Services

• Official UAE Government Portal

• GDRFA Dubai For Dubai-Issued Visas

• Official Sponsor, Airline, Hotel, Or Employer Channel

Avoid websites or social accounts that:

• Promise guaranteed approval

• Ask for passport details without clear authority

• Use only WhatsApp communication

• Refuse to provide an application reference

• Charge extra just to “check” a status

• Claim they can erase fines instantly

• Send only screenshots with no official reference

A real visa check should confirm official status. It should not replace UAE immigration records or guarantee entry.

FAQ

How Can I Check My UAE Visa Status Online?

You can check UAE visa application status and validity through ICP Smart Services. If your visa was issued in Dubai, use GDRFA Dubai instead.

Can I Check UAE Visa Status By Passport Number?

Yes, in many cases. Some UAE visa validity services allow checking with passport details, but some may require file number, application number, Emirates ID, or other information.

Which Portal Should I Use For UAE Visa Check?

Use ICP for federal or non-Dubai UAE visa records. Use GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas.

Why Is My UAE Visa Not Showing Online?

Possible reasons include wrong portal, wrong passport number, incorrect nationality, old passport details, missing file number, recent application submission, or checking Dubai visa records through ICP.

Is Dubai Visa Check The Same As UAE Visa Check?

Not exactly. Dubai is part of the UAE, but Dubai-issued visas are usually checked through GDRFA Dubai, while many other UAE visa records are checked through ICP.

Can I Check UAE Residence Visa Validity Online?

Yes. UAE residents can usually check validity through official UAE services such as ICP or GDRFA Dubai depending on where the visa was issued.

Can I Travel If My UAE Visa Shows Approved?

Approval is important, but you should still check that your passport details, entry validity, and travel dates are correct. Final entry is still decided by UAE immigration authorities.

Is It Safe To Use Third-Party UAE Visa Check Websites?

Be careful. Use official government portals whenever possible because visa checks involve personal passport information.

Bottom Line

For UAE visa checks, use ICP Smart Services for non-Dubai or federal UAE visa records, and use GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas.

If your visa status does not appear, do not assume the visa is invalid immediately. First check whether you are using the correct portal, entering the correct passport details, and using the right application or file number.

For Dubai-specific cases, use the existing Dubai Visa Check guide. This UAE Visa Check article should focus on ICP, passport-number checks, visa validity, residence records, and non-Dubai UAE visa cases so it does not compete directly with the Dubai-focused article.

Sources

UAE Government Portal — Track Visa Application And Validity
https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/track-visa-application-and-validity

ICP UAE — Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs And Port Security
https://icp.gov.ae/en/

ICP Smart Services
https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/

GDRFA Dubai
https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en