Losing your UAE entry permit can feel like a trip-ending problem, especially when the airline check-in counter asks for a printed copy you cannot find. The good news is that most UAE entry permits are issued electronically, which means you can usually reprint (download) the permit again through the same official authority that issued it.
This guide explains how to reprint your entry permit safely, which portal to use (Dubai GDRFA vs federal ICP), and the checks you should do before you travel to avoid boarding or immigration delays.
First, confirm what “UAE entry permit” means
An entry permit is the approval document that allows you to enter the UAE for a specific purpose, for example tourism, employment, family sponsorship, remote work, or a long-term residency pathway. It is typically shared as a PDF (sometimes called an eVisa or e-entry permit) and includes key details such as:
- Entry permit number / application reference
- Your name, nationality, passport number, date of birth
- Validity (entry-by date) and duration of stay
- Issuing authority (often Dubai GDRFA for Dubai-related permits, or ICP for other emirates)
- A barcode or QR code (commonly required by airlines)
Important: a UAE entry permit is different from Emirates ID and different from the final residence visa activation/stamping stage. If you are unsure which document you need, it helps to first check your entry permit status in Dubai and confirm the issuing system.
Step 1: Identify the issuing authority (this decides where you can reprint)
Your reprint method depends on who issued the permit.
- Dubai (GDRFA Dubai): Most Dubai-sponsored entry permits are under GDRFA and typically supported through Amer channels.
- Other emirates (ICP): Entry permits issued under the federal system for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah usually route through ICP Smart Services.
Clues you can use:
- Look at the top/bottom of the PDF if you have any screenshot, it often shows the authority name.
- Check who sponsored/processed it (Dubai company or Dubai family sponsor often points to GDRFA).
- If you applied through a Dubai Amer route or a Dubai typing center, it is usually GDRFA.
Here is a quick routing table:
| If your entry permit was issued by | Most common reprint route | What you normally need to retrieve it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDRFA Dubai (Amer) | GDRFA portal/app, DubaiNow, Amer center | Passport details, application/permit number if available | Dubai-sponsored visit, employment, dependent permits |
| ICP (Federal) | ICP Smart Services portal/app | Passport details, application/UID details if available | Non-Dubai emirates entry permits |
| Travel agent, airline, hotel sponsor | Ask the issuer to resend the PDF | Your booking/application reference | Tourist entry permits handled by third parties |
If you are not sure whether it is GDRFA or ICP, a reliable typing center in Dubai can help you identify the correct jurisdiction and retrieve the correct document without guessing. (Arabian Business Centre provides Amer services support as part of its government transaction services.)
Step 2: Reprint a Dubai entry permit (GDRFA Dubai / Amer route)
If your permit is under GDRFA Dubai, you typically have three practical options.
Option A: Re-download via GDRFA’s official digital channels
Use the official GDRFA Dubai platform to locate your application and download the permit again.
- Start from the official GDRFA Dubai site.
- If sign-in is required, use UAE PASS where applicable.
- Look for services related to entry permits, application status, or document printing/download.
Because the exact menu labels can change, the safest workflow is:
- Search for your application using the details you still have (passport number, nationality, date of birth, application number).
- Once you locate the approved permit, download the PDF and save it.
If you want a Dubai-specific walk-through on verification and tracking methods, use this related guide: How to verify your GDRFA visa status in Dubai.
Option B: Ask your sponsor or PRO to resend the issued permit
For employment and family sponsorship cases, the sponsor or their PRO team often receives the issued permit via official channels. If you lost your copy:
- Ask them to resend the PDF
- Confirm the passport number on the permit matches your current passport
This is often the fastest fix when you are traveling within 24 to 48 hours.
Option C: Visit (or authorize) an Amer / typing center for a reprint
When you do not have the reference number, or the online lookup is not returning results, an Amer-enabled typing center can often retrieve the permit using your passport and application details, then print a clean copy.
If you want background on Amer and what it covers, see: Amer Centre: Dubai visa typing and processing centers.
Step 3: Reprint an entry permit issued through ICP (other emirates)
If your entry permit was issued under the federal system, use ICP Smart Services.
- Start at the official ICP Smart Services portal.
- Use the ICP portal/app options to retrieve your permit using available identifiers (often passport number, nationality, application number, or UID depending on the case).
If you are unsure whether your case is ICP or GDRFA, do not repeatedly submit new applications to “test.” Duplicate applications can create avoidable delays. Instead, verify your status first using the right authority (or ask a licensed typing center to check).
If you cannot find the permit online: the fastest troubleshooting path
Most “cannot find my permit” issues are caused by missing reference numbers, incorrect passport details, or searching in the wrong system.
Use this order of checks:
1) Search your email and WhatsApp attachments properly
Look for:
- “Entry Permit”, “eVisa”, “Approved”, “GDRFA”, “ICP”, “UID”, “Application No.”
- Emails from your sponsor’s PRO, travel agent, airline, or hotel
2) Confirm you are searching with the exact same passport
If you renewed your passport after the application was filed, your old passport number may be linked to the permit. In that case:
- Search using the passport number used at the time of application
- Then arrange a correction/update if needed before travel
3) Check whether the permit is already “used” or replaced
Some permits show a status that indicates it has already been used for entry, or it was replaced by another permit after a correction. If your status is unclear, start with a status check guide like How to check entry permit status Dubai and then retrieve the correct current document.
4) Get help from an authorized typing center (recommended if you travel soon)
If your flight is near, it is often faster to let a professional handle:
- Jurisdiction identification (GDRFA vs ICP)
- Correct application retrieval
- Reprint with clear QR/barcode
- Fixing basic data mismatches before they become a boarding issue
Pre-travel safety checks (do these before you go to the airport)
Reprinting is only half the solution. The other half is confirming the permit will actually be accepted by the airline and by immigration.
Use this quick checklist:
- Validity: Check the “enter before” date and confirm it has not expired.
- Passport match: Name order, passport number, nationality, date of birth must match your passport exactly.
- Status: Confirm it is approved (not rejected, canceled, or pending).
- Legibility: QR code and barcode must be clear on screen and on paper.
- Supporting documents: Keep what your visa type typically requires (return ticket, hotel booking, sponsor details, insurance if applicable).
A practical way to self-audit is to compare your permit against your passport line by line.
| Field to verify | Why it matters at check-in | What to do if incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| Passport number | Airlines frequently deny boarding for mismatches | Request correction before travel |
| Name spelling/order | Minor differences can trigger manual checks | Ask sponsor/issuer to amend details |
| Entry-by date | Expired permits are not usable | Apply for a new permit or extension option |
| QR/barcode clarity | Some airlines scan the code | Re-download the original PDF, do not use blurry screenshots |
If you are traveling as a resident returning after time outside the UAE, do not confuse an entry permit reprint with a return permit requirement. In specific long-absence cases, you may need a separate approval. See: GDRFA Return Permit for residents outside UAE.
Common airport problems and how to prevent them
Problem: The airline insists on a printed copy
Even when the permit is electronic, some carriers and some departure airports prefer a printed page.
Best practice:
- Print one clean copy and keep it in your hand luggage
- Save a PDF on your phone and email it to yourself as backup
Problem: The QR code will not scan
This is often caused by low-quality screenshots or compressed images.
Fix:
- Use the original PDF download from the issuing authority
- Print in high quality (avoid dark background settings)
Problem: Your passport was renewed after approval
Airlines check passport number, not just your name.
Fix:
- Retrieve the permit using the old passport number if needed
- Arrange a correction through official channels before departure
Problem: You applied in the wrong emirate system
Dubai permits often sit under GDRFA, other emirates under ICP. Searching the wrong portal wastes time.
Fix:
- Identify the authority first
- If uncertain, ask an authorized typing center to confirm the correct system
Safety note: avoid scams while trying to “fix it fast”
When people are stressed before travel, they become targets for fake agents.
Protect yourself:
- Use official portals (GDRFA, ICP) or authorized service centers
- Never share UAE PASS credentials or OTPs with unknown parties
- Avoid anyone promising “guaranteed approval” or asking for unexplained extra fees
For broader online safety best practices across government services, you can also read: Dubai government services you can do online today.
When to use a typing center in Dubai (and what to bring)
A typing center is most useful when you:
- Lost your permit and do not have the application number
- Need a fast, clean reprint for airline check-in
- Suspect a mismatch (name spelling, passport number, nationality)
- Need help choosing the correct channel (Amer/GDRFA vs ICP)
Bring (or share clear scans):
- Passport bio page
- Any old visa/permit screenshots or reference numbers you have
- Sponsor/company details if it is employment or dependent sponsorship
- Your contact number and email (so the PDF can be sent to you)
Arabian Business Centre is a government transaction and typing center in Dubai that supports Amer services and related document handling. If you are short on time, you can request assistance to retrieve and reprint the correct permit, with options such as online tracking and document pick-up and delivery where applicable. Contact Arabian Business Centre to get help with GDRFA/Amer-related applications and other Dubai government services.
