ICP vs GDRFA in one line: GDRFA Dubai issues residence visas and entry permits for people who live in Dubai, while ICP handles visas in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and the other emirates and issues every resident's Emirates ID. The authority decides your portal, medical center and biometrics location. Wordcraft files with both from offices in all four main emirates.
GDRFA Dubai vs ICP: Who Does What
- GDRFA Dubai: issues, renews and cancels residence visas and entry permits for people sponsored in Dubai: employees of Dubai mainland companies, family members of Dubai residents, Golden and Green visa holders who apply in Dubai, and domestic workers of Dubai households. In-person and typed applications go through GDRFA's approved Amer centers, or online through GDRFA's channels.
- ICP: the federal authority. It handles residence visas for sponsors in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, runs the federal smart services and approved service centers, and issues the Emirates ID for all UAE residents.
- MOHRE: the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issues work permits for mainland companies in every emirate. It is not a residency authority, but for employees the work permit comes before the residence visa.
Which authority applies depends on where the sponsor is registered (the employer's license or, for family visas, the sponsoring resident's visa), not on where you personally prefer to apply.
Emirate-by-Emirate: Authority, Medical Test and Emirates ID
| Emirate | Residence visa authority | Medical fitness test | Emirates ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | GDRFA Dubai | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) approved medical fitness centers | ICP, with biometrics at an approved center where required |
| Abu Dhabi | ICP | Centres approved by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH), such as SEHA-run centers | ICP |
| Sharjah | ICP | Centres of the federal health system (Emirates Health Services / MOHAP) | ICP |
| Ras Al Khaimah | ICP | Centres of the federal health system (Emirates Health Services / MOHAP) | ICP |
| Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah | ICP | Centres of the federal health system | ICP |
Medical centers, service centers and appointment rules are updated from time to time. We confirm the exact center when we book your medical test and biometrics, and we book them as close to your home or office as possible.
Where MOHRE and the Free Zones Fit In
For employees of a mainland company, the order is: MOHRE work permit, entry permit or status change, medical test, Emirates ID, then the residence visa. For employees of a free zone company, the free zone authority takes MOHRE's place and files the visa with GDRFA (for Dubai free zones) or ICP (for free zones in other emirates). Golden and Green visa holders, investors and family members do not need a work permit for their own residence. Our employment visa page explains the full employee sequence.
Can You Live in One Emirate on Another Emirate's Visa?
Yes. A UAE residence visa lets you live and move anywhere in the country, so many people hold a Dubai visa and live in Sharjah, or work in Abu Dhabi on a visa from another emirate. The practical differences appear when you sponsor someone: family visa files often ask for a registered tenancy contract (for example Ejari in Dubai or Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi) and health insurance that meets the rules of the emirate issuing the visa. Abu Dhabi and Dubai also have their own mandatory health insurance rules. If your home and your visa are in different emirates, tell us before you apply, and we confirm which documents the authority will accept.
Which Portal or Service Center to Use
For Dubai visas, GDRFA's online channels and Amer centers are the usual route. For every other emirate, ICP's smart services and its approved service centers handle applications. Both require the sponsor's account or authorization, correctly scanned documents and, for many transactions, attested certificates. Most rejections at this stage are not about eligibility but about a missing attestation, a name spelled differently from the passport, or a document that needed an Arabic legal translation.
Documents That Are the Same Everywhere
- Passport valid for at least six months and a photo meeting the ICP/GDRFA specification
- The sponsor's documents: trade license and establishment card, or the family sponsor's passport, visa and Emirates ID
- Attested marriage and birth certificates for family visas; see which documents need attestation for a residence visa
- Attested degree certificates for skilled job titles and Golden or Green visa routes
- Health insurance and, for sponsors, a tenancy contract where required
How Wordcraft Handles Visas in Every Emirate
Wordcraft is not ICP or GDRFA; we prepare and submit your application to the right authority on your behalf and follow it until the visa is issued. With offices in Dubai (head office, Al Twar), Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, every branch handles every visa service, and the process is the same: send your documents on WhatsApp, receive a written quote in 10–30 minutes, pay through a secure link, and track the file online while we attest, translate, file and book your medical and Emirates ID. See all options on our visa services page or find your nearest office on the contact page.
Both authorities publish their services online: GDRFA Dubai for Dubai files and ICP for the rest of the country.
Last checked: 29 September 2026 against the ICP and GDRFA Dubai service portals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GDRFA the same as ICP?
No. GDRFA is Dubai's residency authority; ICP is the federal authority for the other emirates and issues the Emirates ID for all residents.
I have a Dubai visa. Where do I renew my Emirates ID?
The Emirates ID is issued by ICP for all residents, and it is renewed together with your residence. We file both in one application.
Can I do my medical test in a different emirate?
The medical test is normally done at a center approved for the emirate that issues your visa. We confirm the options when we book.
My employer is in Abu Dhabi but I live in Dubai. Which authority handles my visa?
The authority follows your sponsor, so an Abu Dhabi mainland employer means your visa goes through ICP, wherever you live.
How much does a residence visa cost in each emirate?
Fees vary with the visa type and emirate. We quote the exact figures for your file before any application goes in.
