UAE government services are now almost entirely digital, and most of them start with the same key: a verified UAE PASS account. Identity and residency run through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and, for Dubai residence visas, the GDRFA. Work permits and contracts go through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), and tax through the Federal Tax Authority’s EmaraTax platform, which the FTA says is available through UAE PASS. This guide maps which authority handles what, and links to our step-by-step guides for each task.
- Set up and verify UAE PASS: almost every portal uses it to log in.
- Find the right authority for your task in the table below.
- Keep your Emirates ID and mobile number up to date everywhere.
Which authority handles what
The split between federal and emirate-level bodies is the main source of confusion. The table covers the services residents use most.
| Task | Authority | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates ID, and residence visas outside Dubai | ICP, the federal identity authority | Emirates ID guide |
| Dubai residence visas and entry permits | GDRFA Dubai | UAE visa guide |
| Work permits, labour contracts, complaints | Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation | UAE work guide |
| VAT, corporate tax, TRN checks | Federal Tax Authority, through EmaraTax | TRN and corporate tax guides |
| Traffic fines, licences and vehicles | Police and transport authorities of each emirate | UAE traffic services |
| Digital identity and signatures | UAE PASS | UAE PASS guide |
Each emirate also runs its own services platform for local matters such as housing, utilities and municipality permits, with Abu Dhabi’s TAMM and Dubai’s DubaiNow among the best known. When a federal and a local service seem to overlap, start with the authority that issued the document you are dealing with.
UAE PASS, the key to most services
UAE PASS is the national digital identity. It is free, works on up to ten devices, and comes in two levels: a basic account for limited services, and a verified account, available to Emirates ID holders, for the full range. You verify through face verification in the app, at one of more than 300 kiosks, or by upgrading a verified SmartPass or DubaiID account. Because so many portals depend on it, a UAE PASS problem can block several tasks at once. The most common causes are an out-of-date mobile number and an account that was never verified, and both are covered in our UAE PASS guide.
Tax services for businesses
| Task | Key rule |
|---|---|
| Check a supplier’s TRN | Free TRN/TIN verification tool on tax.gov.ae, no login needed |
| Register for VAT | Mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies, voluntary from AED 187,500 |
| Register for corporate tax | New UAE companies within 3 months of incorporation |
| Late corporate tax registration | AED 10,000 penalty, which can be waived by filing the first return within 7 months |
| Corporate tax return | Within 9 months of the end of the tax period |
Individuals are affected too. A freelancer or sole proprietor whose business turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year must register for corporate tax before 31 March of the following year, even though salaries remain untaxed.
Documents, certificates and attestation
Many services ask for supporting documents, and knowing which ones you will need saves repeat visits. Residents are regularly asked for a salary certificate, a registered tenancy contract and a police clearance certificate, each covered in our guides. Documents issued abroad, such as degree certificates, marriage certificates and birth certificates, usually need to be attested before UAE authorities accept them, normally first in the country that issued them and then by the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Start attestation early, because it can take weeks, and keep digital copies of every attested document. Requirements vary by service, so always check the specific authority’s checklist before you apply.
Getting help when a service will not work
When an online service fails, the fastest fix usually comes from the authority that owns it, not from a typing centre or agent. These are the main helplines our guides use.
| Authority | Helpline | Typical issues |
|---|---|---|
| UAE PASS | 600 56 1111 | Login, verification, PIN and device problems |
| ICP | 600 522222 | Emirates ID and federal residency services |
| GDRFA Dubai | 800 5111 | Dubai residence visas and entry permits |
| MoHRE | 600 590 000 | Work permits, contracts and labour complaints |
Before you call, note the exact error message, the application or reference number, and the time it happened, and have your Emirates ID ready. Many failures come from mismatched details, such as a passport renewed but not updated with the authority, or a mobile number that differs between UAE PASS and the service. Fixing the underlying record once usually clears the problem across every portal that relies on it. If a service has a status or maintenance notice, check that first, because some systems are briefly offline outside working hours.
Every guide in this section
Digital identity and tax
- UAE PASS: registration, verification and fixes
- Check a TRN number on the FTA website
- Corporate tax registration deadlines and penalty
Identity, visas and status checks
- Emirates ID guide
- Emirates ID status check
- UAE visa guide
- Check your UAE visa status
- Check for a travel ban
Work, documents and other services
- UAE work guide
- Check your labour contract online
- Get a salary certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- UAE traffic services
Frequently asked questions
Do I need UAE PASS for government services?
For most of them, yes. Many federal and local portals use UAE PASS to log in, and the Federal Tax Authority says its services are available through UAE PASS.
Who issues the Emirates ID?
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, known as ICP. Dubai residence visas are handled by GDRFA Dubai.
How do I check if a company is VAT registered?
Enter its 15-digit TRN in the free TRN/TIN verification tool on tax.gov.ae. The result shows whether it is registered and the business name.
Do foreign documents need attestation in the UAE?
Usually, yes. Documents such as degrees and marriage certificates are normally attested in the issuing country and then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Last verified: October 2026. Service rules and portals change, so each linked guide carries its own verified date and sources.
Written by Roman Shah · Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Sources: UAE PASS, Federal Tax Authority, ICP, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
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