United Arab Emirates · Visas & Immigration

UAE Visa Services (ICP)

The UAE's official government body handling visas, entry permits and residency matters through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.

What it helps with

Do I need a visa for the UAE?Official requirements by nationality; many nationalities get a visa on arrival or enter visa-free.
Applying for a tourist or visit visaApply on the official channel and avoid third-party markups.
Checking the visa statusTrack an application online with its reference number.

About UAE Visa Services (ICP)

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) is the official government body responsible for visa issuance, entry permit processing and residency matters for foreign nationals visiting or living in the UAE.

Key Features

Official Visa Applications: Direct government channel for visa and entry permit applications, avoiding third-party agent markups.
Online Status Tracking: Check the progress of a submitted visa application through the official portal.
Multiple Visa Categories: Covers tourist visas, transit visas, residency visas and other categories.
Golden Visa Information: Provides information on long-term residency visa programmes for eligible categories.

How to Get Started

Visit the official ICP website or the associated GDRFA (for Dubai) portal to check visa requirements based on your nationality.
Complete the online application form with passport and travel details, often through a sponsoring airline, hotel or employer where applicable.
Pay the visa fee through the official payment gateway.
Track your application status online and download the approved visa before travelling.

Before you use it

Good to know: Dubai visas are also handled by GDRFA Dubai; the airline or hotel can sponsor some tourist visas.
Payment: Pay only on official government portals; look-alike sites charge extra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does UAE Visa Services (ICP) work with a foreign bank card in United Arab Emirates?: Not reliably - a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is UAE Visa Services (ICP) available in English?: Not officially - the interface is mainly in the local language.
Do I need a local phone number to use UAE Visa Services (ICP)?: No, an international phone number generally works for UAE Visa Services (ICP).
Do I need local ID or residency for UAE Visa Services (ICP)?: No, UAE Visa Services (ICP) doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.
Where can I use UAE Visa Services (ICP)?: iOS · Android · Web
How much does UAE Visa Services (ICP) cost?: Official visa fees per visa type, paid on the government portal