UID Number in the UAE: What It Is & How to Check It

Your UID number (Unified Identity Number, also called the "Unified Number") is a unique identification number the UAE's immigration authorities assign to every person who enters or resides in the country. It is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) — and, for Dubai, coordinated with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

The key thing to understand: your UID stays the same for life across every UAE entry permit, visa and residence you ever hold — unlike your visa file number, which changes with each new visa. This guide explains what the UID is, where to find it, how it differs from your Emirates ID and visa file number, and how to check it.

What is a UID number used for?

The UID is the thread that links all of your UAE immigration records together. It's used to:

• Process new entry permits, residence-visa applications and renewals;
• Link family members' visas to a sponsor's file;
• Complete the medical fitness test and Emirates ID registration steps;
• Verify your identity and immigration history across ICP and GDRFA systems.

Because it never changes, the UID lets the authorities recognise you as the same person even after you cancel one visa and apply for another — for example, when you switch employers or move from an employment visa to an investor visa.

UID vs Emirates ID vs visa file number — what's the difference?

These three numbers are easy to confuse, but they do different jobs:

In short: the UID identifies the person (permanent), the Emirates ID number identifies the card, and the visa file number identifies one visa (temporary). Always confirm the exact fields against your own document, as layouts vary by emirate and visa type.

Where do I find my UID number?

Your UID is printed on your UAE immigration documents. Look for a field labelled "U.I.D. No." or "Unified No." on:

1. Your entry permit (the visa you enter the country on);
2. Your residence visa — on the modern e-visa PDF it is listed among the header fields; on older passports it was on the residence sticker;
3. Visa approval and status documents issued during your application.

If you hold a UAE residence visa, the fastest place to find the UID is usually your latest e-visa PDF. Keep it handy — you'll be asked for it during renewals, family sponsorship and Emirates ID steps.

How to check your UID number online

If you can't locate the number on your documents, it can be retrieved through the official channels. As a general guide:

1. For visas issued outside Dubai (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ), use the ICP channels — smartservices.icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP app.
2. For visas issued in Dubai, use GDRFA — the gdrfad.gov.ae portal or the GDRFA app.
3. Run a visa or file-status enquiry using your passport details or file number; the result typically displays your Unified (UID) number alongside the visa details.

Exact menu names and available look-ups change over time, so always follow the current steps on the official portal. For a full walk-through of the ICP portal itself, see our ICP Smart Services guide, and for visa validity and overstay, our UAE visa fine & status check guide. Government identity data should only ever be entered on the official u.ae-linked portals.

Why the UID matters for your business and family

For company owners and sponsors, the UID is central to visa administration: it links your establishment file, your own investor visa and your dependants' or staff visas into one traceable identity. Getting the UID right at the first application avoids duplicate records that can slow future approvals. If you're setting up a company and will be sponsoring visas, our PRO services team handles the establishment card, UID and visa sequence as one workflow, and our business setup specialists coordinate it alongside your licence.