What Is UID Number in the UAE and How to Find It

What UID Stands For and Its Purpose

A unified number (UID) is a very important part of the UAE system for entry and residence. This number is given to those who come to the UAE, whether you are a tourist, a short-term visitor or someone who wants to live and work. You get it independently.

This UID number is issued by the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners (GDRFA) and federal authorities of Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Pharmaceutical Safety (ICP). These organizations govern immigration and identity services in the United Arab Emirates.

UID numbers are very important. Because it tells the whole story of a person's legal past. Whether you move, change jobs, or stay in the UAE for a long time, the UID number remains the same. However, the number changes each time a new visa is displayed or an old visa is extended.

Difference Between UID Number and Visa Number

While both the UID number and visa number are found on your UAE visa, they serve different purposes:

• UID Number: A permanent identifier assigned upon your first entry into the UAE. It remains the same across different visas and residency statuses.
• Visa Number: A unique number specific to each visa issued. It changes with each new visa or renewal.

Understanding this distinction is vital, especially when filling out official forms or accessing government services that require specific identification numbers.

Where to Find Your UID Number in the UAE

Locating your UID number is straightforward once you know where to look. Here are the primary places to find it:

UID Number on Your UAE Visa

Most of the time, your UID number is on your UAE visa, either as a sticker in your passport or on your electronic visa document. Your UID No. is normally at the top of your visa. Sometimes, it's also called the "Unified Number." Even in case your visa kind or sponsor changes, this variety will live the same.

It’s important to always have quick access to your UID number within the UAE due to the fact it's far from your criminal and administrative identification. You would possibly want to offer this variety while you practice for a career online, fill out authentic papers, or visit a central authority office.

To minimise issues or delays, hold a virtual or bodily replica of your visa files in a secure but easy-to-attain place. Having your UID number with you could save time and make things go more smoothly when dealing with immigration, renewing your Emirates ID, or accessing other government services.

Don't worry if you can't find your physical visa documentation immediately away or if you've lost it. You can still receive your UID number from official websites. People and visitors to the UAE can easily receive their UID number by giving the authorities basic information about themselves or their passport. These are the two most trustworthy ways:

• Unified Number Inquiry Service of the GDRFA

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has an online application that can assist people to identify their UID number. To use this service, go to the GDRFA page for your emirate. For Dubai, go to https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae.

• Find the part that says "Unified Number Inquiry.”
• Please type in your passport number, type, country, and date of birth.
• When you send in the form, the system will show your UID number if the information fits what is in the immigration records.

This procedure is especially useful for people whose visas were issued in Dubai or by the GDRFA.

• The ICP Smart Services Platform

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) also has a full website called ICP Smart Services where you can get your UID number. This platform is good for people who live in all of the Emirates.

• Go to the ICP Smart Services site.
• To find information about your visa, go to the "file identity" or "personal information" area.
• Please enter your nationality, passport number and date of birth.
• You will receive a UID and visa and residence information as soon as a document is found.

Make sure the information you are saying corresponds to a match in your passport or other official documents. Both services are free and open 2 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can easily get your UID number even if your office is closed.

UID Number in Government Applications

Your UID number is very important for making it easier for you to use different government services in the UAE. It serves as a central identifier that links your identification across many official platforms and departments. Here is how it works with major apps and why it is crucial to keep it correct and consistent:

Applying for and renewing an Emirates ID

When applying or renewing an Emirate - UID number is a very important component of the procedure. It combines your application with your immigration record and federal authorities of Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP). This ensures that all state records contain up-to-date information about you. If you are receiving or updating your Emirates -Id, please either automatically update or update your UID number or enter your residency and visa details to purchase.

Your Emirates ID application may be delayed or denied if you don't have a valid UID number.

Visa Applications and Changes

When you apply for a new visa, renew an old one, or change your status, the UID number is also very significant. When you apply for a new visa, whether a work visa, family visa, or residency permit, the immigration system checks to determine if your passport and personal information are already connected to a UID number. It doesn't give you a new UID number; it uses the one you got when you first came to the UAE.

This continuity has a number of advantages:

• It keeps your immigration record unified, even if your visa sponsor changes or your residency status is modified.
• Keeps all visa entries, exits, and renewals under one unique identity, so there are no duplicates.
• It speeds up the procedure because officials can see your entire background and confirm your eligibility more quickly.

The UAE makes sure that the UID number is used in all of its government apps. This makes things easier to do, protects people better, and makes public services work better. That's why you should always check your UID number twice when you are working with government documents or digital apps. In the UAE, it's more than just a number; it's how people know who you are.

How to Check Your UID Number Online

If you need to verify or retrieve your UID number online, follow these steps:

UID Number Check via Website

1. Visit the Website
2. Navigate to the appropriate service for UID number inquiry.
3. Please enter your passport number, nationality and date of birth.
4. Take security checks and submit the form.
5. The UID number will be displayed on the screen.

What to Do If Your UID Number Is Not Found

If the system doesn't retrieve your UID number:

• Double-check your entered information: Ensure that your passport number, nationality, and date of birth are correct.
• Contact GDRFA or ICP: Reach out to the relevant authority for assistance. They can help verify your details and provide your UID number.

How to Find UID Number Without a Visa Copy

If you don't have a copy of your visa:

• Use Online Inquiry Services: As mentioned, the GDRFA and ICP portals allow you to retrieve your UID number using your passport details.
• Visit a Typing Center: Authorized typing centers can assist in retrieving your UID number. Bring your passport and any relevant documents.

Why the UID Number Is Important

Understanding your UID number and what it means can have a big impact on how you live in the UAE. Your UID number is very important information that links all your immigration and identity information. You will need to renew your residence or apply for a visa to access government services.

If you know where to find it or how to use it, then you'll waste time or get confused if you have to deal with official issues. UID counts are usually not hidden from a perspective, but once you receive your Emirates-ID, apply for a job, do business, and receive your travel documents, you ensure everything runs smoothly.

By better managing the settlement and knowing this number, it remains organized in the system based on accurate identification. In short, it's important for everyone who lives, works, or expects to stay in the UAE for a long time to know what your UID number means.

For Immigration and Visa Records

The UID number is central to your immigration records. It links all your visa applications, renewals, and residency information, ensuring a cohesive record with the UAE authorities.

For Government Transactions and Legal Identity

Your UID number is used in numerous government transactions, including:

• Emirates ID issuance and renewal: The UID number is a prerequisite for obtaining or renewing your Emirates ID.
• Accessing government services: Many services require your UID number for verification and processing.

For Merging Multiple Records or Visas

In cases where an individual has multiple UID numbers due to administrative errors, it's essential to merge these records to maintain a single, accurate identity within the system. This process involves:

• Contact the relevant authority: Reach out to GDRFA or ICP to report the issue.
• Providing necessary documentation: Submit copies of your passports, visas, and any other relevant documents.
• Following the official procedure: The authorities will guide you through the steps to merge your records.

Conclusion

The UID number is more than simply a string of numbers in the UAE's immigration and administrative processes; it's a key part of who you are. You need this distinctive number for a lot of official duties because it links all of your personal records. When you apply for a new resident visa, renew your Emirates ID, change employment, or use government services like healthcare or education, one of the first things that officials do to identify and authenticate you is check your UID number.

Therefore, it is very important to know what your UID number is and what it does. It will ensure that your immigration history, your residence status and interaction with the government are neatly and easily accessible. If you enter your UID number in the official document incorrectly, this can slow things down, make mistakes in the immigration file, or create double records in the system.