The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) completed 7,040,608 transactions for issuing entry permits and new residencies and renewing residencies in the first half of 2026, with an average processing time of no more than 4 minutes.
The transactions included the issuance of 5,078,078 entry permits and 1,051,978 new residencies, as well as 910,552 residency renewal transactions, according to a post on the Emirates News Agency (WAM) website.
The service completion rate reached 100%, while customer happiness stood at 95%, alongside the adoption of an integrated digital system for completing entry permit and residency services.
Visit and event visas
GDRFA Dubai issued 29,456 visas for visiting a relative or friend, allowing a stay of 30, 60 or 90 days, on a single or multiple entry basis, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 120 days.
It also issued 73,551 entry visas for nationals of certain countries residing outside them, with stay options of 14 days extendable for a similar period, or 60 days.
GDRFA Dubai continued to offer the 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa, as well as the event visa for participants and visitors coming to the UAE to attend conferences, exhibitions and various activities. The event visa allows a stay of 30 or 60 days, on a single or multiple entry basis, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 120 days.
Golden residency and retiree residency
GDRFA Dubai continued to offer golden residency services to investors, creative and sports talents, scientists, specialists, outstanding students and graduates, entrepreneurs and humanitarian pioneers.
The benefits of golden residency include long-term renewable residency, residency for spouses and children, self-sponsorship and the continuation of family members' residency in the event of the sponsor's death. GDRFA Dubai also continued to offer retiree residency according to the approved criteria and conditions.
Work bundle
The work bundle recorded 521,216 transactions in the first half of 2026, while the domestic workers bundle recorded 11,323 transactions. Each bundle includes 9 linked services, covering the employment contract, health insurance, work permit, cancellation, visa issuance, status adjustment, medical examination, residence permit issuance and ID card.
The domestic workers bundle is available through the Dubai Now app, while the work bundle is available through the Invest in Dubai platform.
19,500 transactions via video call
GDRFA Dubai completed 19,507 transactions through its video call service, with an efficiency rate of 97.93% and an average waiting time of no more than 5.38 minutes.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, said the first-half results reflect the development of the entry permit and residency system and its role in supporting Dubai's competitiveness and its living, working and investment services.
Major General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, Assistant Director General for the Entry Permits and Residency Sector, affirmed the continued development of visa and residency services and the implementation of future projects to keep pace with the growth in transaction numbers.
To view the post on the Emirates News Agency website, click here.
