UID Number UAE: What It Is, How to Find It & Why It Matters

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UID Number UAE: What It Is, How to Find It & Why It Matters

In the United Arab Emirates, every individual who enters the country on a visa is assigned a unique identification number within the immigration system. This number is known as the UID Number UAE. While many residents and visitors are familiar with visa numbers or Emirates ID, the UID number is often overlooked, even though it plays a fundamental role in all immigration-related processes.

The UID Number UAE acts as a permanent digital identity for individuals in the UAE immigration database. It links all visa activities, residency records, and entry–exit movements under one unified profile.

What Is UID Number UAE?

The UID Number UAE stands for Unified Identification Number. It is a unique number generated by UAE immigration authorities for every person who enters the country, whether on a visit visa, tourist visa, residence visa, or long-term permit.

This number is issued by:

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) in other Emirates

Once created, the UID Number UAE becomes your permanent immigration reference number. It remains the same throughout your lifetime, regardless of how many visas you obtain or how many times you enter or exit the UAE.

Why Is UID Number UAE Important?

The UID Number UAE is the core identifier used by immigration systems to manage and track individuals. Every official immigration action is linked to this number.

The UID Number UAE is used for:

Visa issuance and renewals
Entry and exit tracking
Residence permit processing
Emirates ID applications
Medical and biometric registration
Visa cancellation and status changes
Family and employee sponsorship

Without a valid UID Number UAE, the immigration system cannot correctly process or verify your records.

Is UID Number UAE Permanent?

Yes, the UID Number UAE is permanent.

Even if:

Your visa expires
You change employers
You leave the UAE for several years
You renew or change your passport
You switch between different visa types

Your UID Number UAE remains unchanged. This makes it different from visa numbers or Emirates ID numbers, which may change over time.

The UID is your lifelong immigration identity in the UAE.

How to Find Your UID Number UAE

There are several ways to retrieve your UID Number UAE.

1. On Your Visa or Entry Permit

Your UID Number UAE is often printed on:

Residence visa pages
Visit visa copies
Entry permits

It may appear as “UID No” or “Unified No”.

2. Through Online Immigration Portals

You can check your UID Number UAE through official immigration portals using:

Passport number
Nationality
Date of birth

This is the most common and convenient method.

3. Through Emirates ID

If you already have an Emirates ID, immigration authorities can retrieve your UID Number UAE using your ID details.

4. Through Immigration Offices

In complex cases, immigration offices can manually search and retrieve your UID Number UAE from their system.

Difference Between UID Number UAE and Emirates ID

Although both are identification numbers, they serve very different purposes.

UID Number UAE	Emirates ID
Immigration identity	National identity card
Used internally by immigration	Used for daily services
Permanent for life	Expires and renews
Tracks visa history	Used for banking, telecom, health
Not a physical card	Physical ID card

The UID Number UAE exists primarily within the immigration system, while Emirates ID is used across government and private services.

Common Problems Related to UID Number UAE

Despite being automated, several issues can occur with the UID Number UAE.

Duplicate UID Numbers

In some cases, one person may be issued two UID numbers due to:

Multiple visa applications from different Emirates
Passport renewals not linked correctly
System or data entry errors

This causes serious conflicts in immigration records.

UID Not Linked to New Visa

Sometimes a new visa is issued but not properly connected to the existing UID Number UAE, leading to system mismatches.

Incorrect Personal Information

Errors in name spelling, nationality, or date of birth can affect the accuracy of the UID Number UAE record.

Missing UID Records

Old visit visas or manual records may not appear correctly in digital systems.

These problems can delay or block:

Visa renewals
Emirates ID issuance
Job changes
Sponsorship applications

How to Correct UID Number UAE Issues

Correcting UID Number UAE issues usually requires official immigration intervention.

The process typically includes:

Verifying passport and visa history
Submitting supporting documents
Requesting UID correction or merging
Updating records in immigration databases

Depending on the case, it may involve coordination with GDRFA or ICP authorities.

UID Number UAE for New Visitors and Residents

For first-time visitors, the UID Number UAE is generated automatically when the entry permit is issued. For residents, it becomes the foundation of their long-term immigration profile.

Every future visa, residency permit, or status change will be linked to the same UID Number UAE.

This makes it important for individuals to:

Keep a record of their UID number
Ensure it is correctly linked to all visas
Avoid duplicate applications using different passports

Final Thoughts

The UID Number UAE is one of the most important but least understood elements of the UAE immigration system. It is your permanent digital identity that connects all your visa and residency records under one unified profile.

Whether you are a tourist, employee, investor, or long-term resident, knowing your UID Number UAE, keeping it accurate, and ensuring it is properly linked to your records is essential for smooth and compliant immigration processes in the United Arab Emirates.

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