Quick Answer
GDRFA — General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs — is the Dubai immigration authority responsible for residency visas, entry permits, visa cancellation and border control for the emirate. The Emirates ID card itself is issued by the federal ICP.
GDRFA Dubai handles every step of the residency lifecycle for anyone living, working, or visiting through Dubai's borders: tourist visas, entry permits, residency-visa stamping, visa cancellation and family-sponsor permissions. The Emirates ID card is issued by the federal ICP.
GDRFA's public-facing service-centre network is Amer. Most transactions go through an Amer typing centre that submits to GDRFA on your behalf. Some steps, such as the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics, need separate visits.
Dubai has its own residency authority, GDRFA Dubai; in the other emirates, residency services run through the federal ICP. For Dubai-based residency questions, GDRFA Dubai is the relevant authority.
Official GDRFA Dubai contact channels, as listed on gdrfad.gov.ae: toll-free 8005111, international +971 4 313 9999, email amer@gdrfad.gov.ae, plus its customer happiness centres and the Amer centre network. ZETUP PRO prepares and submits these residency transactions for its mainland retainer clients.
Official sources: GDRFA Dubai — Contact Information
Frequently asked questions
What does GDRFA stand for?
GDRFA stands for the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs — Dubai's immigration authority responsible for residency visas, entry permits, visa cancellation and border control. The Emirates ID card is issued by the federal ICP.
What is the difference between GDRFA and Amer?
GDRFA is the government immigration authority. Amer is its public-facing network of service centres. GDRFA's service cards list Amer service centres as one channel, alongside GDRFA's website, smart app and customer happiness centres.
What does GDRFA handle?
Tourist visas, entry permits, residence-visa stamping, visa cancellation and family-sponsor permissions for Dubai. The Emirates ID card is issued by the federal ICP.
Is GDRFA the same in every emirate?
No. GDRFA Dubai covers Dubai; in the other emirates, residency services run through the federal ICP. For Dubai residency matters, GDRFA Dubai is the relevant authority.
Related
Term
Amer
Term
Emirates ID
Term
Employment Visa
Service
Visa Processing
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