Everything You Need to Know About UAE’s Unified Number
All foreigners who obtain a visa for this country will receive a unique and individual Unified number UAE. This number is of the utmost importance for your aspirations to visit, reside, and even work in this important country in the Middle East. Therefore, you must know everything about this number placed on your passport.
In this article, we will show you how you can get your unified number when applying for your visa. We will also answer some questions that foreigners have about this process, which is not very difficult.
Understanding the Concept of Unified Number
The Unified number UAE (or UID) is a 9-digit number automatically assigned to those who enter the country as tourists or residents. That is, the person obtains this number together with the tourist or residence visa that they will receive. Thus, the UID serves to uniquely identify the visa holder.
Therefore, the Emirates unified number serves to differentiate each person who has ever entered the country. This number is provided by the General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) of the United Arab Emirates. Also, this number is issued by the authority only once, so if you change your status or renew your visa, the UID does not change.
Therefore, it is a very important identification, since it is permanent and has a legal nature for certain transactions. Therefore, you must know your unified number, as it is a requirement to complete immigration and identification procedures. In addition, this number is non-transferable, since it is the one that provides the data on your identity to the authorities.
Location of the Unified number UAE in your passport
It is easy to identify your unified number UAE for a Freelancer Visa or any other type of visa. In this case, the UID number is on top of your Emirates visa number. This number is made up of 9 digits that, as we already mentioned, are unique for each person.
That is where the importance of the unified ID UAE number lies since it allows you to carry out identification procedures. This is because it is your identification within the federal authority for identity and citizenship records.
Unified UAE number and visa number
The Unified number UAE and the visa number are not the same, as both are identified in Arabic and English. Both are located at the top right of the visa page of your passport. However, the UID number is placed above your visa number and it is made up of the last 7-9 numbers on file.
Another difference between the two numbers is that the UID never changes, while the visa number does. In this case, your visa number changes if you change the status of the visa, for example, from temporary to permanent. However, even if you change your visa, the UID number does not change even if your visa does.
Find your Unified number UAE online
In various circumstances, you can find your Unified number UAE online if you need it. To be able to do it, you just have to follow the simple steps described below:
- Enter the website of the General Directory of Residence and Foreign Relations (GDRFA). You can do so through the following web address: https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/unified-number-inquiry-service
- Enter your personal information (including passport number, nationality, gender, and date of birth.
- Solve the requested mathematical operation
- Then click Submit
In this way, you will be able to know what your Unified number UAE is, taking into account that you must have your passport number on hand.
Why Having a Unified Number in Dubai, UAE is Important?
As we have mentioned, the Emirates unified number is a unique identification for each person with a visa from the country. Therefore, the authorities will assign you this number whether you have a tourist, work, or residence visa. Thus, this is how the immigration authorities and others identify each of the foreigners in the country.
Hence, the records with the personal data and the actions related to the visa are identified with that number. For example, if your visa is canceled and you apply for a new one, the UID number will remain the same. Therefore, you must always have this number on hand so as not to have any problems with the identification and migration procedures.
This number will help you manage your applications both at the GDRFA and at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC). Thus, this is one of the most relevant data that any foreign visitor or resident of the UAE should have.
People with multiple UID numbers
As we have been mentioning, the Unified number UAE is unique, so no one can have 2. However, the system can make a mistake and assign a different UID number than the person already has. In these cases, it is best to contact the GDRFA to have your UID numbers merged.
Also, you should not wait too long after you get this number to fix this problem. Otherwise, you will have problems with your residency and Emirates ID application, among other inconveniences. To request the merger of your unified numbers, you must carry your passport, a copy of the visa, and other relevant documents with you.
Likewise, if you have an expired or canceled visa, you can use it as additional support for this process.
How to Get a Unified Number?
You should receive your unified number automatically with your tourist, work, or residence visa. However, if you do not have this number or cannot find it on the online portal, you should make a direct inquiry. In this case, you can do it through the contact form on the GDRFA website.
However, you can use the contact telephone numbers provided by the GDRFA:
- 8005111 for calls from within the UAE
- +971 4 313 9999 for calls from abroad
Similarly, you can directly assist the authorities at the GDRFA office in Al Jaffliya, Dubai. You can also visit the contact site of the said authority to obtain more information about it.
Documents Required for Unified Number Application
People who apply for a visa of any type in the Emirates receive the unified number UAE. Therefore, the documents to receive this number are those requested for each type of visa. To get started, a person who wishes to enter the UAE for any purpose must apply for an e-Visa or entry permit.
This is before you receive your final visa imprint in your passport, no matter what visa you are applying for. In this case, there are 2 authorities in charge of this process, the GDRFA (for the visa) and the ICA (for the Emirates Identification). Hence, to get your Emirates ID, the GDRFA must assign you your UID number.
Documents to obtain the UID for a tourist visit
In the case of applying for a tourist visa and therefore obtaining a unified UAE number, you must enter the following:
- Health insurance document
- financial guarantee
- A recent photo on a white background with a 4/6 aspect ratio
- A copy of your passport
- Statement of the tourist program
In the case of a multiple-entry tourist visa with a validity period of 5 years, you must present a bank certificate apart from the other documents. This must state that you have had a bank balance of USD 4000 or equivalent during the previous 6 months. However, this guarantee is not necessary for children under 18 years of age who accompany the applicant.
In addition, you must make this request in one of the establishments that work in the tourism field. Similarly, as an essential requirement, you must pay the application fees that include the issuance of the visa.
Documents to obtain the UID for a family visit
In the case of applying for a family visit visa or to visit a friend, the required documents are the following:
- Evidence of relationship
- Justifications for the visit
- Copy of the residence permit in one of the CCG countries of the husband of the foreign woman who visits him in the country.
- Recent 6/4 size photo with white background
- A copy of the passport
- Financial guarantee
- Health insurance document
- Travel ticket
Documents to obtain the UID for a trade mission visit
To obtain this visa, and also the Unified number UAE, the applicant must present the following documents:
- Certificate issued by the employer in the country
- Certificate of Fitness for work
- A temporary contract, or letter from the employer certifying the contractual relationship and the reason for entering the country
- Photography with a white background
- Copy of your passport
- financial guarantee
- Medical insurance document
- Travel ticket
In the case of this permit, you must request it in the system of establishments of government or private entities, or a free zone.
Documents to obtain the UID to explore job opportunities
To obtain this type of visa and receive your unified number, you must present the following documentation:
- Photography with a white background
- Copy of your passport
- Certificate from the Ministry of Education indicating that the university from which you graduated is among the best 500 universities in the world. In this case, you must also include the time it takes to graduate.
- Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, as well as higher academic qualifications
- Financial guarantee document
- Health insurance document
- Travel ticket
- Certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) proving that you are a skilled worker and specifying your professional level
On the other hand, for visas issued to explore business opportunities, the applicant must submit the following:
- Copy of passport
- Document of financial guarantee
- A recent photo with white background, size 6/4
- Health insurance
- Travel ticket
- Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and higher academic qualifications.
Documents to obtain the UID for a visit for medical treatment
For people who wish to obtain medical treatment, they must consign the following to obtain their visa and Unified number UAE. In addition, the companion must present the documentation for the entry visa in the same way:
- Recent personal photo with a white background of 4/6.
- Copy of passport
- Health insurance
- Travel ticket
- Financial guarantee
The following are documents that must be submitted by the patient who will receive the treatment apart from those already mentioned:
- A certified medical report
- A letter from a health facility stating the reasons for the visit
Documents to obtain the UID for a work entry permit
In this case, to obtain, for example, a unified number UAE for Freelancer Visa, you must present the following:
- A recent photo with a white background in size 6/4
- Copy of your passport
- Health insurance
- Employment contract, if linked to one
- Financial guarantee
In the case of applying for a work permit for a green visa, the applicant must provide the following:
- Certificate from the Ministry/Department of Economy if it is an investor or partner in a business license. In addition, you must include the percentage of shares and the employment contract in the certificate. However, if you are a highly skilled worker or self-employed, you will need a certificate from MOHRE.
- 6/4 personal photo with white background
- Copy of your passport
- Financial guarantee
- Health insurance
Documents to obtain the UID for an entry or residence permit without work
There is a series of documents common to all applicants for this type of visa, which consist of the following:
- Financial guarantee
- Health insurance document
- Recent photo
- Passport copy
For particular categories, the applicant must submit the following documents:
- Real estate owners. In this case, you must present a certificate from the Department of the Municipality that attests to ownership in the country.
- You must present a certificate from the university, college, educational or research institution
- A certificate that proves a period of service of not less than 15 years, which can be both outside and inside the country. You can also provide a birth certificate that proves you have turned 55 years old.
- First-degree relatives. A death or divorce certificate for the citizen husband, evidence of a child in the case of a foreign woman. Similarly, you need proof of financial solvency and a suitable place of residence. Also, proof of kinship for a resident of the country if you are a spouse, child, or parent of a foreign resident.
Similarly, spouses or children of a GCC national must provide proof of kinship.
- Virtual workers. Proof of income of not less than USD 3,500 or its equivalent in foreign currency. You must also provide proof of your work at an external entity and that his/her work is remote.
Benefits of Having a Unified Number
The unified number or UID grants its owner a series of immigration and identification benefits in the UAE. Thus, the benefits of the UAE unified number are:
- Apply for a residence visa
- Request an Emirates ID
- Be uniquely registered in the immigration database of the country
If you wish to obtain more information regarding the visa processes and the Unified number UAE, do not hesitate to contact us. In ConnectZone you will be able to know all the processes related to business in the United Arab Emirates.
