Earlier this year, India’s State of External Affairs Minister claimed that the United Arab Emirates was the most popular destination for Indian job seekers. With a plethora of opportunities across various fields, this gulf country has much to offer to the right candidates.

Apart from jobs, UAE is also known for its incredible scenic beauty and cultural heritage, thereby drawing travellers from India as well. Therefore, regardless of whether you are travelling there for a job or for leisure, applying and checking for UAE visa status is crucial. 

Let’s take a look at how you can go about it!

Visas generally go through various stages before approval. Visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website to know your status. Once you've located the visa services section, enter the relevant details asked for. Based on general visa application processes, here are some possible statuses you might encounter:

1. Received

When your visa application is submitted to the UAE immigration authorities, it is marked as "Application Received." This status confirms that your application has been successfully logged into the system. At this point, initial checks begin to ensure all required documents are present and correctly filled.

2. Under Consideration

The visa status "Under Consideration" refers to the phase when the UAE immigration authorities review an application. During this period, applicants must await a decision on their visa approval.

3. In Process

The “In Process” status indicates that immigration officials are reviewing your application. During this phase, the authorities verify the details provided, check for discrepancies, and conduct background checks.

4. Pending Additional Documents

If your application is incomplete, you’ll see this status. You must provide further information or clarification. Please enter every detail asked for correctly, then resubmit.

5. Approved

 If your application meets all the requirements and passes the necessary checks, its status will be updated to "Approved." Your visa has been granted, and you can now proceed with travel plans or residency arrangements

6. Rejected

If your application fails to meet the criteria or if the provided documentation is not up to par, it will be marked as "Rejected." This status indicates that your visa has not been granted, and you may need to reapply.

Knowing the status of your UAE visa application can be nerve-wracking. Luckily, the UAE government lets you easily track your application online. Here's a detailed guide on what information you'll need and how to use it:

• Application Number: This is the most crucial piece of information. It's a unique number assigned to your application when you submit it. You'll find this number on the application receipt or any confirmation documents you received from the visa service provider.

• Reference Number (Optional): Some visa service providers might also give you a reference number. While only sometimes mandatory, having it can help narrow your application search.

• Receipt Number/Reference Number: Visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website and look for the inquiries section. Enter the receipt or reference number as asked and check your status.

You can check your UAE visa status using one of two modes: offline or online. The offline method is generally preferred for an enquiry. However, you can also call and verify your UAE visa status.

Regardless, here is a look at how to check UAE visa status offline.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, or the ICA, maintains all UAE visa records. To check the status of your UAE visa without using the Internet, dial the toll-free number for the ICA—600522222. 

You can check the UAE visit status on this number and the residence visa status for UAE.

Many applicants wonder how to check their visa status for the UAE online since it is a faster method. Individuals can perform this online check using either a passport number or file number.

The latter option is too complicated. Therefore, we have elaborated on how to check UAE visa status using passport numbers only.

Here is the detailed process – 

Step 1: Visit the portal of ICA. 

Step 2: Now, choose your visa type. Options include residents or employees in UAE and tourist or travel visas.

Step 3: Provide all relevant passport information, including passport number, nationality, and passport expiry date.

Step 4: Next, complete a captcha verification process and click on “Search”.

If you manage to perform these steps correctly, the screen will display your UAE visa application status. You can check the entry and exit dates here as well.

This effectively concludes the procedure to check UAE visit visa status online with passport number.

Alternatively, you can check your UAE visa status with your passport number using the official GDRFA Dubai application. However, keep in mind that this application only deals with visa applications to Dubai and not the entire United Arab Emirates.

Before you can check the status of your application, however, you must ensure proper submission of your visa application.

Unfortunately, you cannot check your UAE visa status solely with your passport number. There are two main scenarios to consider. You'll need your application reference number and passport information if you're looking for an update on a recently submitted application. Here's how to proceed:

Step 1: Visit the Official UAE Government Portal: Head to the official UAE government portal: [UAE government visa ON u.ae]

Step 2: Locate the Application Status Tracking: Look for a section on tracking visa applications. It might be labelled "Track Your Application Status" or something similar.

Step 3: Enter Required Details: Input your application reference number. You might also need to provide your passport details, such as nationality or passport number (depending on the portal).

Step 4: Submit and Review Status: Click on the designated button (usually "Search" or "Submit") to retrieve your application's current status. This will indicate where your application stands in the processing (e.g., "Submitted," "In Progress," or "Approved").

You should not face any issues if you fill out your application perfectly. However, common problems related to UAE visa status can include:

• Incomplete or Incorrect Application Forms: Submitting incomplete or incorrect application forms is a frequent reason for rejections. Any missing information or errors in the provided details can lead to an automatic rejection.

• Incorrect Visa Category: Applying for the wrong visa category can lead to rejection. It is crucial to apply for the visa category that best suits your purpose of travel and to meet all the eligibility criteria for that category.

• Previous Immigration Violations: A history of immigration violations, such as overstaying a previous visa or being deported from the UAE, can negatively impact your current visa application. Any prior violations are scrutinised closely.

• Criminal Record: A criminal record can be a significant barrier to obtaining a UAE visa. While not all offences will result in rejection, serious crimes or repeated offences can result in denial.

• Failure to Attend Biometric Appointment: Part of the visa application process involves attending a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph. Please attend this appointment or reschedule it to avoid an automatic rejection.

• Suspicion of Intent: If the visa authorities suspect that the applicant intends to overstay or work illegally in the UAE, the visa application will likely be rejected. It is important to clearly state the purpose of the visit and provide supporting evidence to mitigate any such suspicions.

• Inconsistencies in Application: Any inconsistencies in the information provided, such as differing details between application forms and supporting documents, can raise red flags and lead to rejection.

Your visa could get rejected due to various reasons. Common reasons for UAE visa rejections include:

• Incomplete Documentation: Failure to provide all required documents or submitting incomplete forms can lead to visa rejection. Ensure documents are in the requested format (photocopies, originals, translations).  

• Incorrect Information: Incorrect or inconsistent information in the visa application can result in rejection. Don't inflate your income or qualifications. Be truthful about your purpose of visit.

• Previous Violations: Applicants with a history of overstaying visas, legal issues, or immigration violations may face rejection. A criminal record or history of deportation from the UAE can significantly impact your application.

• Financial Insufficiency: The inability to demonstrate sufficient financial means to support oneself during one's stay in the UAE can lead to visa rejection. If you're self-employed, provide strong proof of consistent income.

• Security Concerns: Applicants flagged for security reasons or with connections to individuals or organisations deemed a risk may face rejection. Being associated with controversial activities may raise security concerns.

• Health Concerns: Certain health conditions or failure to meet medical requirements may result in visa rejection, particularly for long-term or employment visas. For long-term visas, some health conditions require medical clearance.

• Overcrowded Labour Market: If your profession is saturated in the UAE, your visa application might be rejected in favour of local candidates—research labour market trends before applying for work visas.

• Lack of Sponsorship: Failure to secure a sponsor or provide adequate sponsorship documentation for visas requiring sponsorship can lead to rejection. Meet all sponsor requirements, such as minimum salary for employment visas.

• Dubious Travel History: Applicants with suspicious travel histories or denied visas to other countries may face rejection. Large, unexplained gaps in their travel history might need explanation.

Incomplete Travel Itinerary: Failure to provide a clear travel itinerary or purpose of visit may result in the rejection of a tourist visa. Have a clear itinerary outlining your planned activities and accommodation.