Quick answer: In the GDRFA vs ICP Dubai visa question, the key point is that they are different authorities with different fees. GDRFA Dubai issues visas sponsored in Dubai. ICP, the federal authority, issues visas for the other six emirates. The GDRFA tourist visa reviewed in October 2026 showed no security deposit, while some ICP categories mention one. Check status on the system that issued your visa.
What Is the Difference Between GDRFA and ICP?
GDRFA Dubai and ICP are different authorities with different fees. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) is the immigration authority of the Emirate of Dubai. It issues entry permits when the sponsor, such as a Dubai tourism company, is based in Dubai. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) is the federal body. It issues visas for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, and runs Emirates ID. Both visas let you enter at any UAE airport and travel across all seven emirates. The difference is in the system: separate websites, separate status checks, and separate fee tables. On 8 October 2026, the GDRFA single-entry tourist visa service listed government fees of AED 200 for 30 days and AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT, with no security deposit. ICP publishes its own visit visa fees, and some ICP categories mention a refundable deposit. Quote each system on its own.
Most confusion comes from blogs that copy one authority's fee list and present it as "the UAE visa fee". That is how readers end up expecting a deposit on a Dubai tourist visa that does not ask for one.
GDRFA vs ICP at a Glance
| GDRFA Dubai | ICP (federal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai | Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security |
| Covers | Visas sponsored in Dubai | Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah |
| Who applies for tourists | Accredited Dubai tourism offices, airlines, some hotels | Licensed tourism companies and sponsors in those emirates |
| 30-day single-entry tourist government fee | AED 200 + 5% VAT (8 Oct 2026) | Own fee table; check the ICP service page |
| 60-day single-entry tourist government fee | AED 300 + 5% VAT (8 Oct 2026) | Own fee table; check the ICP service page |
| Security deposit | None shown on the tourist service (8 Oct 2026) | Mentioned on some visit visa categories |
| Tourist visa extension | AED 600 + VAT, plus inside-country fees (8 Oct 2026) | Own fee table |
| Status check | GDRFA Dubai website and app | ICP smart services website and UAEICP app |
| In-person service centres | Amer centres in Dubai | ICP customer happiness centres and typing centres |
| Valid for entry across the UAE? | Yes, all seven emirates | Yes, all seven emirates |
Government fees only. An agency package price includes the government fee plus service, and is a different number. Our current agency prices are on the Dubai visa price 2026 page.
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Who Issues a Dubai Tourist Visa?
The sponsor decides the issuing authority. If a Dubai-licensed tourism company sponsors you, GDRFA issues the visa and the e-visa shows Dubai as the place of issue. GDRFA's tourist visa service says this visa is issued through accredited tourism offices in Dubai, and its page showed an expected completion time of 48 hours. Our customers usually receive the visa in 3–4 working days. We do not promise 48 hours.
If you apply through a company based in Sharjah or Abu Dhabi, or through an airline hub outside Dubai, ICP may issue the visa instead. Neither is "better". Use the one your sponsor files through, and read the place of issue on the PDF. Our guide to how to read a Dubai e-visa shows where that field sits.
Why Do Deposit Amounts Online Disagree?
Search "UAE visa deposit" and you will see figures such as AED 1,000 next to pages that say there is no deposit at all. Both can be accurate. They describe different services.
- GDRFA tourist visa: the single-entry tourist service we reviewed on 8 October 2026 stated no security deposit.
- ICP visit visas: some categories, often family or relative visit visas sponsored by residents, list a refundable deposit. The amount depends on the category.
- Agency checklists: some agencies ask for their own guarantee for certain nationalities. That is a company policy, not a government fee, and it should be labelled that way.
If a provider asks you for a deposit, ask which authority and which service it belongs to, and whether it is refundable. A clear answer is a good sign.
Can I Track a GDRFA Visa on the ICP Site?
Usually no. Each authority tracks its own files. Use the system that issued the visa:
- Find the place of issue on your e-visa or application receipt.
- Dubai-issued: use the GDRFA Dubai website or app and search by visa or passport details.
- Issued by another emirate: use ICP smart services.
- Still in process? Ask your agency for the application reference. A visa that is not yet issued may not appear on either public checker.
Our step-by-step Dubai visa status check guide walks through both routes.
Can a Tourist Use UAE Pass or an Amer Centre?
UAE Pass is the national digital identity for citizens and residents. A tourist applying from abroad does not need it. Your sponsor files the application for you.
Amer centres are GDRFA-approved service centres in Dubai. They mainly serve residents and sponsors already in the UAE, for example for an extension or a status change. If you are already in Dubai and need more days, see our guide to extending a Dubai visa without exit.
What Stays the Same Whichever System Issues Your Visa?
- Entry at any UAE airport or land border, and travel across all seven emirates.
- The six-month passport validity rule and a ticket to leave the UAE.
- The difference between validity and stay. See Dubai visa validity vs stay.
- Overstay fines from the day after your stay ends.
- The medical insurance rule on GDRFA's tourist terms. See is travel insurance mandatory for a Dubai visa
Want a Dubai-issued tourist visa without the guesswork? We file through an accredited Dubai tourism office, show the government fee and our service fee separately, and send you the e-visa with the place of issue checked. Apply for a 30-day Dubai visa or a 60-day Dubai visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dubai Tour Visa – Frequently Asked Questions help travelers understand tour types, activities, timings, safety tips, booking process, and best travel experiences.
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