What is a UAE Entry Permit?
A UAE entry permit is a temporary immigration document issued by GDRFA (in Dubai) or ICP (at the federal level) that authorises a specific person to enter or remain in the UAE for a defined purpose and duration. It is sometimes called the e-visa or, informally, the 'pink visa' from the colour printed on older versions of the document. The entry permit is not the same as the residence visa; it is the bridge document that comes before the residence visa is finalised and stamped.
Entry permits are used in two main scenarios. In the first scenario, the person is outside the UAE: the sponsor (employer or family member) applies for the entry permit, and once it is approved the person travels to the UAE on the strength of that permit. In the second scenario, the person is already inside the UAE on a visit or tourist visa: the sponsor applies for an entry permit, and the person's status is changed in-country (a process called status change) without the need to travel out and back. Both paths lead to the same next steps.
How to obtain or track an entry permit
- Sponsor applies: The UAE sponsor (employer, for work visas; or a qualifying family member, for dependent visas) submits the entry permit application through e-Channel, the GDRFA app, or the ICP portal. An establishment card must be valid for employers to submit through e-Channel.
- Pay the application fee: Fees vary by permit type and the authority handling the application. Confirm the current fee on the relevant portal before applying.
- Entry permit is approved and sent: Once approved, the entry permit is issued electronically and can be downloaded. For applicants outside the UAE, it is presented to the airline and at the port of entry. For applicants inside the UAE pursuing a status change, the permit is used as the basis for that change.
- Complete the residence steps within the validity period: After entering or after the status change, the person must complete the mandatory medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometric registration, and visa stamping within the entry permit's validity period. Failing to complete these steps before the permit expires will result in overstay fines and may require repeating the process.
Rules, validity, and cost
Entry permits are typically valid for a period of around 60 days from issuance, though the exact duration depends on the permit type. Some permit types allow a single extension if more time is needed; confirm extension eligibility with the issuing authority before the permit expires. Letting an entry permit lapse without completing the residence process or leaving the UAE generates overstay fines on a daily basis. Fees for issuance vary by permit type and emirate; confirm current amounts with GDRFA or ICP.
What expats should know
The entry permit's validity clock starts from the date of issuance, not from the date of travel or entry. Workers and family members should ensure travel or status-change steps are arranged promptly after the permit is issued to avoid running out of time. Some nationalities and some permit types have additional conditions or restrictions; the sponsor and the applicant should both confirm eligibility and the full process with the immigration authority or a registered typing centre before applying. If the entry permit expires before the medical test, Emirates ID registration, or visa stamping are completed, it is not possible to simply extend in most cases; the process may need to restart with a new application and fees.