When reading about UAE visas, two names come up again and again: the ICP and the GDRFA. Knowing these two bodies helps you find the right official source and avoid unofficial websites. The information in this article comes from the official websites of these two bodies and the UAE government portal (u.ae), checked on 24 October 2026.
The UAE: one country, seven emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Some residence and visa services are federal and some are run by each emirate.
The ICP: the federal body
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) works across the whole country. Its official pages list services such as:
- issuing entry visas: visits, tourism, medical treatment, work missions and study;
- extending visas;
- golden residence;
- UAE passports and identity cards.
The ICP's channels: the ICP smart app, the smart services website (around the clock) and customer happiness centres. Online services are accessed through UAE Pass. The ICP call centre number: 600522222.
GDRFA Dubai
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) provides residence and visa services for the emirate of Dubai. Its official pages include services such as:
- issuing single and multiple-entry tourist visas;
- extending the tourist visa;
- the 48 and 96-hour transit visa;
- visit visas for relatives and friends;
- golden residence for different groups.
The GDRFA's channels: the official website and app (around the clock) and AMER service centres.
Which route issues the Dubai tourist visa
According to the GDRFA, only licensed tourism offices in the emirate of Dubai issue the Dubai tourist visa; they sponsor the traveller and register the application in the official system. The official conditions and fees can be seen on the GDRFA's service page.
How to recognise an official website
- UAE government websites end in .gov.ae or u.ae: icp.gov.ae, gdrfad.gov.ae and u.ae.
- Websites with names similar to these bodies but a different domain are not official.
- The official receipt and visa are issued by the government system. If in doubt, ask the visa's sponsor to show it in the official portal.
Royal Golden applies for the Dubai tourist visa through a licensed tourism partner and places the issued official visa in the customer's account.
This article is general information and not legal advice.
Sources
- ICP UAE, issuance of a visa (types, channels, call centre) — https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e60 (checked on 24 October 2026)
- ICP UAE, golden residency guide — https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-golden-residency/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- GDRFA Dubai, issuance of a single-entry tourist visa — https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f9e586fe-0642-11ec-0320-0050569629e8 (checked on 24 October 2026)
- GDRFA Dubai, extending a tourist visa — https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/1ce744f0-b801-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936 (checked on 24 October 2026)
- GDRFA Dubai, the 48 or 96-hour transit visa — https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/ee043e3c-5c61-11ea-0320-0050569629e8 (checked on 24 October 2026)