UAE Residence Visa File Number (2026): Where to Find It on Your Residence Copy, UAEICP App, UAE PASS or Old Visa Sticker, What the Digits Mean, and How to Check Your Visa Status With It

Your UAE residence visa file number is on your residence copy (e-visa) — download it free from the Residence section of the UAEICP app or from UAE PASS documents. It looks like 201/2026/1234567: the emirate code, the year of issue and a serial number. On visas issued before the sticker was dropped in 2022, it is the File line on the visa page of your passport. It is not the 15-digit Emirates ID number on your card and not your UID. This guide shows where to look on each document, how to read the digits, and how to use the number to check your visa status.

📁 What is a UAE residence visa file number?

It is the number of your residence permit record — the "file" that GDRFA Dubai or ICP opens when your residence is issued. Forms call it the file number, visa number, residence number or UAE residence visa number; in practice they all mean the same thing. It identifies one specific visa: when that visa is cancelled and a new one is issued, the new visa gets a new file number.

📍 Where can I find my residence visa file number?

Is the visa file number on the Emirates ID?

Usually not. Since 2022 the Emirates ID is your proof of residence, but the card shows the Emirates ID number, not the visa file number. The residence details sit in ICP's record and on the residence copy you download from the app.

🖍️ Where is the file number on the residence copy? Annotated sample

The layout differs slightly between GDRFA Dubai and ICP copies, but the same fields appear. This is a simplified illustration with sample values — not a real document:

📲 How do I find the file number in the UAEICP app or UAE PASS?

Steps in the UAEICP app

Steps in UAE PASS

New to the apps? See our digital Emirates ID guide and UAE PASS for visa services.

🔢 What do the digits in a visa file number mean?

A residence file number has three groups: emirate code / year / serial. Example: 201/2026/3123456 is a Dubai residence file opened in 2026.

Does the serial number show the visa type?

Sometimes, as a hint. On many residence files the first digit of the serial is 2 for an employment visa and 3 for a family (dependent) visa. This is a pattern, not an official rule — the visa type printed on the residence copy is what counts.

Which part do I type into a form?

Follow the form. ICP and GDRFA forms often have separate boxes for the emirate code, the year and the serial; some forms ask only for the serial (the last group). Never add the UID or the passport number to the same box.

🆔 What is the difference between the file number, UID and Emirates ID number?

Does my file number change when I renew or change jobs?

A renewal with the same sponsor usually keeps the same file with a new expiry date. A new visa — a new employer, a move from a family visa to an employment visa, or a new sponsor — gives a new file number. Your UID and Emirates ID number do not change.

🧾 What is the visa file number used for?

✅ How do I check my visa status with the file number?

ICP — visas from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates

On ICP smart services open the file validity service, choose to search by file number, pick residence, enter the file number (or the UID, or the Emirates ID number) and your date of birth. The result shows the file status, issue date and expiry date. No file number? Choose passport information instead.

GDRFA Dubai — visas starting with 201

On the GDRFA Dubai status inquiry, choose file number and enter your first name, the file number, nationality and date of birth. For help, call Amer on 800 5111.

Prefer not to fill the forms? Our UAE visa status checker walks you through it, or send us your details on WhatsApp and we check it for you.

What if the status shows cancelled?

A cancelled family residence gives the family member 59 days to leave the UAE or move to a new visa. After that, overstay costs AED 50 a day. If the file shows cancelled and you did not expect it, contact your sponsor or us straight away.

🔄 What changed? Old rules vs 2026

🤝 Visa services by FamilyVisa.ae

FamilyVisa.ae finds the file, checks it and handles what comes next — online, from your phone:

📝 Quick recap

• The file number identifies one residence visa, in the format emirate code / year / serial, for example 201/2026/3123456.
• Find it on the residence copy: UAEICP app → Residence → PDF, or the UAE residence visa document in UAE PASS; on old visas, the File line on the sticker.
• The Emirates ID card shows the 784 number, not the file number; the UID stays for life, the file number changes with each new visa.
• Codes: 101 Abu Dhabi, 201 Dubai, 301 Sharjah, 401 Ajman, 501 Umm Al Quwain, 601 Ras Al Khaimah, 701 Fujairah.
• Use it to check visa status, print a residence copy, check fines, renew, cancel and sponsor family members.

🔗 Related guides

• Check your UAE visa status
• Emirates ID status check
• Digital Emirates ID
• UAE PASS for visa services
• Visa fine check
• UAE residence visa processing time

❓ Frequently asked questions

1. What is a UAE residence visa file number?

It is the number of your residence permit record with the immigration authority, written like 201/2026/1234567. It identifies one specific visa and changes when you get a new visa.

2. Where can I find my visa file number?

On your residence copy (e-visa): open the UAEICP app, log in with UAE PASS, go to Residence and download the PDF, or add the UAE residence visa document in UAE PASS. On older visas it is the File line on the passport sticker.

3. Is the visa file number on the Emirates ID card?

Usually not. The card shows your 15-digit Emirates ID number starting with 784. The visa file number is on the residence copy in the UAEICP app or UAE PASS.

4. What does 201 mean in a visa file number?

The first three digits show the emirate that issued the visa: 201 is Dubai, 101 Abu Dhabi, 301 Sharjah, 401 Ajman, 501 Umm Al Quwain, 601 Ras Al Khaimah and 701 Fujairah.

5. What is the difference between the file number and the UID number?

The UID (unified number) belongs to the person and stays the same for life. The file number belongs to one visa and changes with every new visa or status change.

6. Is the UAE residence visa number the same as the file number?

In practice, yes. Forms that ask for the residence visa number or residence number usually mean the file number. Some forms ask only for the last part (the serial).

7. What is the visa file number used for?

To check visa validity and status, print a residence copy, check fines, renew or cancel a visa, sponsor family members, and for schools, banks and insurance forms that ask for residence details.

8. Can I check my visa status with the file number?

Yes. ICP's file validity service lets you search by file number, UID or Emirates ID number with your date of birth; GDRFA Dubai searches by file number with your name, nationality and date of birth. Our visa status checker can do it for you.

9. I don't know my file number. Can I still check my visa?

Yes. On ICP you can search by passport details instead. Or log in to the UAEICP app with UAE PASS: the Residence section shows the file without you typing the number.

10. Does my file number change when I renew my visa?

Usually a renewal of the same visa with the same sponsor keeps the same file, with a new expiry date. A new visa, a new sponsor or a change of status gives a new file number. The authority's record is final.

11. Does my file number change when I change jobs?

Yes. When the old employment visa is cancelled and the new employer issues a new one, you get a new file number. Your UID stays the same.

12. Where do I find my wife's or child's visa file number?

The sponsor can see family members' residence records in his or her own UAEICP account and download each residence copy. Each family member has a separate file number.

13. Is the entry permit number the same as the file number?

No. The entry permit (used to enter the UAE for a new residence) has its own number. After the residence is stamped or issued, a residence file number is created.

14. Is the file number on the visa sticker still valid?

Only for the visa it was printed for. Visa stickers were replaced by the Emirates ID from 2022, so a newer visa will have a different number on the residence copy.

15. Which part of the file number do I enter in a form?

Enter what the form asks for. Most ICP and GDRFA forms have separate boxes for the emirate code, year and serial; some ask only for the serial, the last group of digits.

16. Does the serial number show the visa type?

Often the first digit of the serial gives a hint, for example 2 for employment and 3 for family visas, but this is not an official rule. Check the visa type on the residence copy.

17. How do I get a copy of my residence visa?

Download it free from the Residence section of the UAEICP app or add it in UAE PASS. On the ICP website, the residence details print service asks for the file number.

18. What happens to the file number when the visa is cancelled?

The file is closed and marked cancelled. A family member then has 59 days to leave or move to a new visa; after that, overstay is AED 50 a day.

19. Is the Emirates ID number the same as the UID?

No. The Emirates ID number is the 15-digit number on the card, starting with 784. The UID is a separate immigration number that appears on visas and residence copies.

20. Who can help me find my file number?

Your sponsor or employer, the typing centre that processed the visa, the ICP call centre on 600 522 222, or FamilyVisa.ae on WhatsApp.

Last reviewed 15 October 2026. Rules and fees are set by GDRFA Dubai and ICP and can change; the fees quoted are the amounts FamilyVisa.ae pays on 15 October 2026, and the amount shown in the GDRFA or ICP system when you apply is the final reference. Every application is decided by the immigration authorities. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Main official sources: ICP — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, ICP smart services — file validity, GDRFA Dubai. FamilyVisa.ae is operated by 800 DOCS LLC SOC, a DET-licensed private visa services company in Dubai — not a government office.