GDRFA File Number UAE: Where to Find It and What It Means?
Your GDRFA or ICP file number is printed on your visa sticker inside your passport, labelled “File No.” or “Visa No.”, on your entry permit, and on your e-visa PDF near the top. It follows the format 201/2026/XXXXXXX, where 201 means Dubai. If you cannot find it, log in to GDRFA or ICP with your passport number instead.
Where to find your file number?
Your file number, sometimes called a visa number, appears on several documents you already have. The exact label varies slightly, but it is always the same underlying number.
| Document | Where it appears |
|---|---|
| Passport visa sticker | Directly under your personal details, labelled File No. or Visa No. |
| Entry permit | Near the permit details, sometimes an 8-digit temporary reference |
| E-visa PDF | Top section, labelled Visa Number or File Number |
| Emirates ID | Not shown directly, but your UID links to the same record |
You need this number for most status checks, so it helps to note it down once you have it. Use it directly for a UAE visa status check or a GDRFA application status check.
Reading the format
The full file number has three parts: a 3-digit emirate code, a 4-digit year, and a 7-digit serial number, for example 201/2026/XXXXXXX. The emirate code also tells you which portal to check your status on. A number starting 201 is Dubai, checked on GDRFA. Numbers starting 101, 301 and others belong to different emirates, checked on ICP.
Do not confuse this with your UID. Your file number changes every time you get a new visa, while your UID stays the same for life. Our visa status meaning guide covers that distinction in more detail.
Cannot find your document?
If you have lost the paperwork or cannot locate the number, you do not need it to start a check. Log in to GDRFA or ICP Smart Services using your passport number instead, and the system will display your full file number on the result screen. The full set of visa guides sits in our UAE visa and immigration guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my GDRFA file number?
It is printed on your visa sticker inside your passport, labelled File No. or Visa No., on your entry permit, and on your e-visa PDF near the top of the document. If you cannot locate any of these, log in to GDRFA or ICP Smart Services with your passport number and it will display on screen.
What does 201 mean at the start of my file number?
It is the emirate code, and 201 means your visa was issued by GDRFA in Dubai. Other codes, such as 101 for Abu Dhabi or 301 for Sharjah, mean your file is with ICP instead. The code tells you which portal to use when you check your visa status.
Is my file number the same as my UID?
No. Your file number is tied to one specific visa and changes at every renewal. Your UID, or Unified Identity Number, is permanent for your whole time in the UAE and never changes, even across multiple visas and job changes.
Last verified: July 2026
Written by Roman Shah ยท Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA); Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
