Dubai Residency Issues Over 7 Million Entry and Residency Permits in H1 2026

The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) has revealed the key projects and initiatives undertaken by its Entry Permits and Residency Sector during the first half of 2026, reflecting notable growth in both the volume and efficiency of services delivered. During the period, the Directorate issued 5,078,078 entry permits, 1,051,978 new residence permits, and renewed 910,552 residence permits, achieving full digital transformation and a 100% service completion rate, with an average processing time of no more than 4 minutes, while customer happiness reached 95% — indicators that reflect Dubai's global leadership in shaping the future of government services.

Growth of the Visa and Entry Permit System

The results reflected continued growth across the visa and entry permit system, with GDRFA Dubai maintaining the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, alongside the issuance of 29,456 visas for visiting relatives or friends, which offer stay options of 30, 60, or 90 days, for single or multiple entries, with extensions available up to a maximum of 120 days. The Directorate also issued 73,551 entry visas for nationals of certain countries residing outside their home countries, indicators that reflect the flexibility of the system and its ability to keep pace with the accelerating growth in travel and visits to Dubai.

Golden Residency and Long-Term Residency Options

GDRFA Dubai also continued to provide Golden Residency services through an integrated system targeting distinguished categories, including investors, artistic and sports talents, scientists and specialists, outstanding students and graduates, entrepreneurs, and humanitarian pioneers, contributing to attracting talent, expertise, and investment, and offering beneficiaries multiple advantages including renewable long-term residency, spouse and children's residency, self-sponsorship, and the continuity of family members' residency in the event of the sponsor's death.

As part of diversifying long-term residency options, the Directorate continued to offer dedicated residency for retirees according to approved standards and conditions, enhancing Dubai's appeal as a preferred destination for settlement and providing an integrated environment that supports quality of life and meets the aspirations of different categories.

Integrated Service Packages

On the level of service journey development, GDRFA Dubai continued developing its integrated packages, foremost among them the Work Package and the Assistive Categories Package, each combining 9 interconnected services. The Work Package recorded 521,216 transactions, while the Assistive Categories Package recorded 11,323 transactions.

The packages bring together interconnected services including the employment contract, health insurance, work permit, cancellation, visa issuance, status amendment, medical examination, residency permit issuance, and Emirates ID issuance, within unified and integrated journeys that allow related procedures to be completed through a single request and channel. The Assistive Categories Package is available via the "Dubai Now" app, while the Work Package is available via the "Invest in Dubai" platform.

Digital Transformation and Remote Services

On the digital services front, the Directorate completed 19,507 transactions via its video call service during the first half of 2026, with an efficiency rate of 97.93% and an average waiting time not exceeding 5.38 minutes, enhancing the ability to complete transactions remotely, reducing the need to visit service centres, and supporting the objectives of digital transformation and smart government services.

Official Statements

Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, said that the results of the first half of 2026 reflect the development of the entry permits and residency system and its role in enhancing Dubai's competitiveness, through digital services characterised by efficiency and flexibility, in line with the emirate's position as a global destination for living, working, and investing.

Major General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, Assistant Director General of the Entry Permits and Residency Sector at GDRFA Dubai, affirmed that the results of the first half of 2026 reflect the advancement of the work system's efficiency and its ability to keep pace with the increasing growth in transaction volumes, noting the continued development of the visa and residency system and the implementation of future projects, reinforcing GDRFA Dubai's leadership in delivering distinguished and proactive services.

The results reflect the ongoing efforts made by GDRFA Dubai to develop the entry permits and residency system, and to expand its role in supporting economic and social activity and attracting different categories of residents, visitors, and talent, enhancing its ability to respond to accelerating global shifts and provide solutions tailored to the diverse needs and aspirations of individuals.

Source: Emirates News Agency – WAM