If you are planning to travel to the UAE — whether to live with your family or because you received a job offer — you may come across several terms that can be confusing. Two of the most commonly misunderstood are the entry permit and the UAE residence visa.

What is a UAE Entry Permit?

An entry permit allows you to enter the UAE for the purpose of completing your residence visa process. It is typically valid for 60 days and must be converted into a full residence visa within that window.

Understanding the difference between entry permits and residence visas avoids costly mistakes.

What is a UAE Residence Visa?

A UAE residence visa is the official authorization that allows a foreign national to live and work in the UAE on a long-term basis — typically valid for 2 or 3 years.

Key Differences

• Entry Permit: Short-term (60 days), allows entry to begin the residency process.
• Residence Visa: Long-term (2–3 years), grants legal residency in the UAE.
• The entry permit must be converted to a residence visa — you cannot live here long-term on an entry permit alone.

It's a drill every UAE resident goes through every two or three years. Overstaying, even by a single day, results in fines — so knowing your exact expiry date is essential.

How to Check Your UAE Visa Status

1. 1ICA Smart Services — Visit smartservices.ica.gov.ae, enter passport number, nationality, and date of birth.
2. 2GDRFA Dubai — Dubai residents use the GDRFA app or website for residency status, including dependents.
3. 3AMER Service — Allows status checks and renewal applications in one place.

The UAE government provides multiple digital channels to check visa status instantly.

What You Need

• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of birth

India has improved its standing on the Henley Passport Index, climbing seven places to now offer citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 60 countries. Japan and Singapore top the rankings with access to 192 destinations.

Popular Visa-Free Destinations

• Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan
• Indonesia, Thailand (visa-on-arrival), Sri Lanka (e-visa on arrival)
• Several African and Caribbean nations

Indian passport holders can now access 60+ destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival.

Al Tafsir Attestation Services (TAS) has announced updated working hours across all its centres following the UAE Government's decision to shift the official working week.

New Working Hours

• Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Sunday: Closed

Our Abu Dhabi office: Malabar Gold / Omeir Yusuf Building, Opp World Trade Center, 1st Floor, Office No. 161, Hamdan bin Mohammed St, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Tafsir's Abu Dhabi office is conveniently located opposite the World Trade Center.

Why the Change?

The shift aligns the UAE's financial markets, banks, and public institutions with international markets operating on a Monday-to-Friday schedule, boosting global trade and investment.