Dubai, United Arab Emirates,-
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 significant growth in both the volume and efficiency of services delivered. During the period, the Directorate issued 1,051,978 new residence permits, renewed 910,552 residence permits, and issued 5,078,078 entry permits. It also achieved 100% digital transformation and a 100% service completion rate, with an average processing time of no more than four minutes, while customer happiness reached 95%—indicators that reflect Dubai’s global leadership in shaping the future of government services.
The results also reflected continued growth across the visa and entry permit system. GDRFA Dubai continued to offer the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, while issuing 29,456 visas for visiting relatives or friends. These visas provide 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, reflecting the flexibility of the system and its ability to keep pace with the rapid growth in travel and visitation to Dubai.
Entry visas for nationals of certain countries residing outside their home countries offer stay options of 14 days, extendable for a similar period, or 60 days, through streamlined digital procedures that accelerate application processing and enhance the customer experience. GDRFA Dubai also continued to offer the Events Visa, designed for participants and visitors travelling to the UAE to attend events, conferences, exhibitions, and other activities. The visa provides stay options of 30 or 60 days, for single or multiple entries, with extensions available up to a maximum of 120 days, supporting the events sector and strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for hosting major events.
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. The programme contributes to attracting expertise, talent, and investment, while offering beneficiaries a range of advantages, including renewable long-term residency, sponsorship of spouses and children, self-sponsorship, and the continued residency of family members in the event of the sponsor’s death.
As part of its efforts to diversify long-term residency options, the Directorate continues to provide residency for retirees in accordance with approved criteria and requirements, further enhancing Dubai’s appeal as a preferred destination for long-term settlement and providing an integrated environment that supports quality of life and meets the aspirations of diverse segments of society.
In developing integrated service journeys, GDRFA Dubai continued to advance its service bundles, most notably the Work Bundle and the Work Bundle for Domestic Workers, each comprising nine interconnected services. The Work Bundle recorded 521,216 transactions, while the Work Bundle for Domestic Workers recorded 11,323 transactions.
The bundled services integrate related government transactions into unified customer journeys, including the employment contract, health insurance, work permit, cancellation, visa issuance, status adjustment, medical fitness examination, residence permit issuance, and Emirates ID issuance.
GDRFA Dubai Reinforces Leadership with Over 7 Million Entry and Residence Permits Issued in H1 2026.
