The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) is the Dubai government authority in charge of residency, entry permits, and immigration matters within the Emirate of Dubai. It is the Dubai counterpart to the federal ICP, which serves most other emirates.
If your residence visa is sponsored in Dubai, your entry permit, visa stamping, renewals, cancellations, and status changes are typically handled by GDRFA through its app and online portal, often via Amer service centres. Visas sponsored in other emirates are generally processed by ICP instead.
Common GDRFA services include issuing employment and family entry permits, residence-visa renewal, exit/entry permits, and visa-status checks. Always verify current fees and document requirements on the official portal, since these change and vary by visa type.