Residency & visas
After the entry permit: what is the next step?
The entry permit is only the first step. Here is what comes after it, in order, and what to do so you do not run out of time.
Start here
Your entry permit has been approved. That is good news — but it is not your residence visa yet. The entry permit simply lets you come into the UAE, or stay, while the rest of the process is done.
The next steps, in order
- Enter the UAE, or change your status. If you are outside the UAE, you travel in on the entry permit. If you are already inside on another visa, your sponsor usually applies for a change of status instead, so you do not need to leave.
- Medical fitness test. You visit an approved medical centre for a blood test and a chest X-ray. Results usually come back within a few days.
- Emirates ID application and biometrics. The Emirates ID application is submitted, and you give fingerprints and a photo at a service centre if asked.
- Residence visa is issued. Once the medical result and the application are approved, the residence visa is issued. In most cases it is now digital and linked to your Emirates ID, not a sticker in your passport.
- Emirates ID card arrives. The card is printed and delivered or collected. You can often use the digital version in the official app while you wait.
Want the full picture from the very start? Our UAE residence visa step-by-step guide covers the whole process, including what happens before the entry permit.
- The UAE Government portal — Residence visas
- GDRFA Dubai — General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
- ICP — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
After biometrics: what is next?
After biometrics, there is usually nothing more for you to do in person. The authority checks your application and your medical result. When it is approved, your residence visa is issued electronically and linked to your Emirates ID. Your Emirates ID card is then printed and delivered, often by courier.
- Watch for SMS or email updates from ICP or your sponsor.
- Check your visa status on the ICP or GDRFA website or app.
- Answer quickly if the authority asks for more documents.
- When the visa is issued, you can usually start banking, leases and other resident steps.
Already in the UAE?
If you are already in the country — for example on a visit visa — you usually do not need to fly out and back in. Your sponsor can apply for a change of status, and the process continues from the medical test. There may be a fee for this, so ask whether it is in your quote.
How much time do you have?
Entry permits have a limited window to enter, and after entering there is a set period to finish the medical test and the visa. The exact number of days depends on the permit type, so read the dates on your own permit and ask your sponsor.
Common hold-ups
| The hold-up | What to do |
|---|---|
| The permit is close to expiring | Each entry permit has a set window to enter the UAE. Check the date on the permit and plan travel early. |
| Medical test needs a repeat | Sometimes a test is repeated or extra checks are asked for. This adds a few days, so do not book tight deadlines. |
| Missing SMS updates | Approvals and appointment messages go to the registered mobile number. Make sure it is correct and reachable. |
| Passport details don’t match | A renewed passport or a spelling difference can stop the application. Use the same passport throughout. |
Once you are a resident, remember the card and visa expire together. Our Emirates ID renewal guide explains what to do when that time comes.
Questions to ask
Ask after your entry permit is approved:
- When does my entry permit expire, and by when must I enter?
- Do I need to leave the UAE, or can my status be changed inside?
- Who books the medical test and the biometrics appointment?
- Are the medical, Emirates ID and visa fees in my quote?
- How long should the whole process take in my case?
- When can I open a bank account or sign a lease?
Let’s make your next step clearer.
Common questions
After biometrics, what is next?
Usually nothing more in person. The authority reviews your application and medical result, issues the residence visa electronically, and then prints and delivers your Emirates ID card.
What is the next step after the entry permit in the UAE?
Enter the UAE on the permit (or change your status if you are already inside), then do the medical fitness test, submit the Emirates ID application with biometrics, and wait for the residence visa to be issued.
Is the entry permit the same as a residence visa?
No. The entry permit only lets you enter or stay while the residence visa is processed. You are a resident once the residence visa is issued.
How long after the entry permit do I get the residence visa?
Often one to two weeks once you are in the UAE and the medical test is done, but it depends on appointments, results and the authority’s checks.
Can I work on the entry permit?
Ask your sponsor or employer. Rules depend on the type of permit, and it is safest to wait until the residence visa is issued.
Do I still get a visa sticker in my passport?
In most cases no. UAE residence visas are now generally linked to the Emirates ID instead of stamped as a sticker.
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Help with: Residency & Emirates ID