April 21, 2026

Quick Answer Your UAE residence visa number is the unique identifier printed on your UAE residence visa sticker in your passport or on your e-visa document. It follows the format XXX/YYYY/ZZZZZZZ where XXX is the emirate code (201 for Dubai, 101 for Abu Dhabi), YYYY is the year of issue, and ZZZZZZZ is your unique 7-digit file number. This number is your primary identifier within the UAE immigration database. You need it to renew your visa, apply for your Emirates ID, sponsor family members, open a bank account, and complete virtually every official process in the UAE. It is different from your UID number and your Emirates ID number — all three are separate identifiers with different purposes. 1. What Is a UAE Residence Visa Number? A UAE residence visa number — also called a visa file number, residence file number, or unique visa serial number — is the specific reference code assigned to your UAE residence visa when it is issued by the immigration authorities. It is the number that links your identity to your specific visa record in the UAE immigration system. Every UAE resident has one. Every time your visa is renewed, a new number is issued for the new visa. The number is not permanent — it changes with each new visa or renewal. This is one of the most important distinctions to understand, because your UID number (Unified Identity Number) is permanent and stays the same across all visas, while your residence visa number is specific to each visa document. Why this number matters more than most residents realise: the UAE immigration system, the banking system, the health insurance system, and multiple government databases all use the residence visa number as the primary reference for your residency status. Giving a wrong number — or confusing it with your Emirates ID number or your UID — causes system rejections, delayed applications, and failed bank account verifications. Getting this right is not a minor administrative detail. 2. The UAE Residence Visa Number Format Explained Understanding the format of your UAE residence visa number helps you read it correctly, enter it accurately on forms, and distinguish it from your other UAE identification numbers. Standard format: XXX/YYYY/ZZZZZZZ The standard UAE residence visa number format in 2026 is: Emirate Code / Year of Issue / Unique 7-Digit Number An example of a Dubai-issued residence visa number looks like: 201/2024/1234567 Component What It Represents Example XXX (first 3 digits) Emirate code — identifies which emirate issued the visa 201 = Dubai, 101 = Abu Dhabi, 301 = Sharjah, 401 = Ajman, 501 = Umm Al Quwain, 601 = Fujairah, 701 = Ras Al Khaimah YYYY (4 middle digits) Year the visa was issued 2024, 2025, 2026 ZZZZZZZ (last 7 digits) Your unique visa file serial number within that year and emirate 1234567 — unique to you Variations to be aware of: not all UAE residence visa numbers follow exactly this format. Older visas and visas issued in certain circumstances may appear as a 9 to 14 character string without the standard slash separators. Some e-visa documents display only the 7 or 8 digit unique serial component without the emirate prefix. If your number appears shorter or longer than expected, it is likely one of these variations — not an error. When entering your visa number on government portals, try the format shown on your document first, and if the portal does not accept it, try entering only the numeric portion without slashes. The emirate code at a glance Emirate Code Emirate Visa Issuing Authority 201 Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) 101 Abu Dhabi Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICA) 301 Sharjah ICA (federal) 401 Ajman ICA (federal) 501 Umm Al Quwain ICA (federal) 601 Fujairah ICA (federal) 701 Ras Al Khaimah ICA (federal) Important practical note: Dubai is the only emirate where the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) operates independently of the federal ICA system. If your visa starts with 201, use the GDRFA Dubai portal or app for all visa inquiries and renewals. If your visa starts with any other code, use the ICA Smart Services portal. Using the wrong portal for the wrong emirate code is one of the most common reasons residents cannot find their visa records online. 3. Three Numbers Every UAE Resident Must Know — and Not Confuse The UAE immigration and identity system uses three separate identification numbers. Confusing them is one of the most common mistakes residents make when filling government forms, banking applications, and insurance portals. Here is a clear breakdown of each. Identifier What It Is Format Does It Change? Where to Find It UAE Residence Visa Number Identifies your specific visa document 201/2026/XXXXXXX (example) Yes — changes with every new or renewed visa Visa sticker in passport or e-visa PDF UID Number (Unified Identity Number) Your permanent identity in the UAE immigration system across all visas 9 to 15 digits (permanent) No — stays the same forever across all visas and renewals Printed on your visa document above the file number; also on Emirates ID Emirates ID Number Your national ID card number for identification within the UAE 784-XXXX-XXXXXXX-X (15 digits) No — permanent once issued Printed on the front of your Emirates ID card The single most important distinction: your UID number is permanent and never changes regardless of how many times you renew your visa or change jobs. Your residence visa number is new each time a new visa is issued. When a form asks for your visa number it wants the document-specific number with the format 201/YYYY/XXXXXXX. When a form asks for your UID or unified number it wants the permanent number printed above the file number on your visa or on your Emirates ID. These are completely different fields and entering the wrong one causes system rejection. 4. Where to Find Your UAE Residence Visa Number There are multiple places where your UAE residence