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It is very important for you to know the status of your immigration in order for you to be able to stay in Dubai without issues. If you are a resident or tourist, an accidental violation of your visa can result in large fines. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has set up a number of different online options that can help you keep track of these fines and get them resolved right away.
The most frequent type of fines given by the GDRFA are for breaking the terms of a residency visa or entry permit. The following list includes some of the more common “triggers” for a GDRFA fine so that you can proactively avoid them:
The best way to find out about fines is by using a government website. All available resources are free of charge, completely confidential, and can be accessed at any time of day or week.
To check on outstanding fines using the GDRFA’s official website (https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/fines-inquiry-service), simply access the Fines Inquiry Service, which requires no membership log-in to use. You can choose from the following search types: File number, UDB (Unified) number, UAE ID, or passport number. You will be prompted to complete a CAPTCHA before being redirected to the results page containing all outstanding fines listed after the respective events.
You may download the GDRFA’s Dubai app on your iPhone or smartphone, where you can access the same information as what is found on the GDRFA’s official website. To access your provided fines, residents will first log in using their UAE Pass, while visitors will have to use the app’s guest mode by entering their passport number.
DubaiNow aggregates many of the services provided by Dubai’s government. Among these, under the “Residency” section, are queries related to immigration violations and obtaining updates on your visa status. You will also be able to make secure online payments directly through DubaiPay for fines incurred.
If you would rather get help in person or can’t get to the digital portals, you can use these official offline methods:
Method: Amer Centers
Best for: Face-to-face support and complex queries.
Contact / Location: Various locations across Dubai.
Method: Amer Toll-Free
Best for: Quick verbal verification.
Contact / Location: Can connect via cell phone on a call.
Method: ICP Portal
Best for: Fines for visas issued in other Emirates.
Contact / Location: ICP Smart Services
There are two steps to take when you receive a fine from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The first step is to pay the fine as soon as you receive it; you can pay your fines online via the GDRFA website, using the DubaiNow app, or by visiting any of the Amer Centers. If you are travelling out of the country and you overstay is less than 30 days, you will likely be able to pay your fine at Dubai International Airport’s immigration counters.
If you believe you have received a fine due to an error or if you had a medical situation that caused you overstay, you have the option to appeal your fine by submitting an exemption request. In order to submit an exemption request, you will need to provide evidence that supports your request, which may include a hospital report or proof of a flight cancellation, along with the appeal to a GDRFA Customer Happiness Centre.
If you want to stay legal with regard to your residence and also to navigate the complexities of immigration law, it is essential that you have an excellent partner. CDA allows you to navigate through the intricacies of the various renewal dates related to the visa processing and work toward the establishment of a residence status without the fear of late filings, lost documents, unnecessary fines, and travel restrictions.
Our team specializes in providing regulatory compliance services related to visa processing for businesses that are involved in UAE immigration. We proactively monitor all visa renewals, cancellations, appeals, and any other forms of compliance for you.
Get the most out of our visa processing services today for your business; contact us now.
