Unified Number (UAE UID): Meaning & How It Works | Wathim GCC Glossary

At a glance

What it is

A unique identifier assigned by ICP to every UAE residence-visa holder, linking all past and current UAE visas

Where to find it

Printed on the UAE residence-visa page in your passport, labelled 'Unified No.' or 'UID'

Assigned by

ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security)

Stays the same

Remains constant across multiple visas, employers, and visa types for the same person

Not the same as Emirates ID number

Emirates ID number is on the card (15 digits, starts with 784); Unified Number is on the visa page and may differ in format

Used for

Retrieving immigration history, checking fines, court records, and verifying status across UAE government systems

What Is the UAE Unified Number?

The Unified Number (also referred to as the UID or Unified Identity Number) is a unique identifier assigned by the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) to every individual who has been issued a UAE residence visa. It remains the same throughout a person's life in the UAE system, even across multiple visa cycles, employers, and visa types. You will find it printed on your UAE residence visa page, typically labelled 'Unified No.' or 'UID No.'

How the Unified Number Is Used

The Unified Number links all of a person's UAE residency history - past and present visas, visa holders' details, and ICP records - under a single reference. Government systems, including the ICP, GDRFA, MOHRE, and courts, use it to retrieve a complete immigration history for an individual. It is also used to look up fines, court records, and other records associated with a person's presence in the UAE.

Unified Number vs. Emirates ID Number

These two numbers are frequently confused but are different:

The Emirates ID number is printed on the Emirates ID card and is 15 digits long, starting with 784 (the country code for the UAE). It is issued by ICP and is linked to your biometric record.
The Unified Number is printed on the residence-visa page in your passport and has a different digit format. It may match or differ from the Emirates ID number depending on the system and the period when the card was issued.
Both numbers reference the same individual in ICP systems, but government staff and portals may ask for one or the other depending on which database they are querying.

Where to Find Your Unified Number

On the residence-visa page stamped in your passport - look for 'Unified No.' or 'UID'.
On the ICP smart app (UAEICP) after logging in with your credentials.
On some Emirates ID-related correspondence from ICP.
At an AMER centre, Tasheel office, or ICP customer-service point, with your passport and Emirates ID.

Why It Matters for Expats

Knowing your Unified Number is helpful for tracking fines linked to your immigration record, checking any outstanding cases in UAE government systems, and speeding up transactions at immigration and government offices. Employers also use the number to verify a worker's immigration status through official channels. If you are unsure of your Unified Number, retrieve it from your visa page or an official portal rather than relying on a third party.

The format, usage, and exact labelling of the Unified Number on visas and in government portals can change as UAE systems are updated. Confirm the current format and location with ICP if you cannot locate it on your documents.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Unified Number on my UAE residence visa?

On most UAE residence visas, the Unified Number is printed in the visa information block with a label that reads 'Unified No.' or 'UID No.' It is distinct from the visa number, file number, and ICA number that also appear on the page. If you cannot identify it, the ICP smart app (UAEICP) displays it after you log in.

My new visa has a different Unified Number from my old one. Is that possible?

In principle, the Unified Number should be consistent across all visas for the same person. If you see a discrepancy, it may be a data-entry issue or a change resulting from a system migration. Visit an ICP service centre or AMER centre to verify and correct the record if needed.

Do I need my Unified Number for everyday transactions?

For most daily transactions, your Emirates ID number or passport number is sufficient. The Unified Number is primarily used by government agencies and employers when querying immigration-system records. However, knowing it speeds up certain ICP and GDRFA transactions.

Does a Unified Number still exist after I leave the UAE permanently?

The Unified Number is tied to a person's history in the UAE immigration system. After final departure and visa cancellation, the number may still exist in ICP records but would no longer be active. If you return to the UAE and obtain a new residence visa, you would normally be assigned the same Unified Number based on your biometric identity.

Can someone else access my immigration records using my Unified Number?

The Unified Number by itself is printed on your visa page and is not highly sensitive. Accessing the detailed records linked to it in government systems requires proper authentication. That said, you should not share your personal documents unnecessarily, as they contain multiple pieces of identifying information together.

Unified Number (UAE UID)