If you’re planning to move to the UAE, applying for a residence visa, or even trying to figure out why your immigration documents keep asking for a mysterious 9-digit code, you’ve probably stumbled across something called the UID Number. And if you’re scratching your head wondering what this little number actually does — you’re not alone.
Almost every newcomer asks the same question: “What exactly is a UID Number
in the UAE, and why do I need it?”
Well, let’s break it down in simple, human terms.
So, What Is a UID Number?
The UID Number — short for Unified Identification
Number — is a unique 9-digit number issued by the UAE government to every
visitor, resident, and expatriate who enters the country.
Think of it as your permanent identity tracker within the UAE immigration
system.
Here’s the key thing:
Your UID Number never changes.
Even if your passport changes, you cancel and renew visas, switch employers, or
leave the UAE for years — the UID Number stays the same.
It’s basically your lifetime reference number inside the
UAE’s immigration and residency system.
Where Does the UID Number Come From?
When you first enter the UAE — whether on a visit visa,
tourist visa, or residence entry permit — you are automatically assigned a UID
Number by:
ICA (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs
and Ports Security)
Most people don’t realize they already have a UID Number
until they start the residency process.
The number is usually printed on:
- Your UAE
entry permit
- Your residence
visa sticker (for older passports)
- Your new
Emirates ID residency application
- Your visa
file from immigration
Why Is the UID Number Important?
Here’s where the UID Number really matters.
It’s used to link all your official identity records, including:
- Immigration
files
- Visa
applications
- Medical
testing for residency
- Emirates
ID registration
- Residency
visa stamping
- Visa
renewals
- Visa
cancellations
- Sponsorship
details
- Travel
and re-entry records
Without your UID Number, you literally cannot complete your
residency process.
It’s not a “nice-to-have” — it’s essential.
UID Number vs Emirates ID Number — Not the Same Thing
People mix these two up all the time, but they’re completely
different.
UID Number
- Issued
by immigration
- 9
digits
- Permanent
- Used
for visa processing
Emirates ID Number
- Issued
by the Emirates Identity Authority
- 15
digits
- Printed
on your Emirates ID card
- Used
for banking, mobile SIMs, government services, healthcare, etc.
In short:
UID Number = Immigration reference
Emirates ID Number = Your national ID within the UAE
Where Can You Find Your UID Number?
You can spot your UID Number in a few places:
1. On Your Visa (if stamped in your passport)
If you’ve got an older passport with a UAE visa sticker,
check the top or bottom of the sticker — you’ll see a number labeled “UID” or
“Unified Number.”
2. On Your Entry Permit
When you enter the UAE on a new visa or visit visa, your
entry permit usually has the UID Number printed on the right-hand side.
3. Through the UAE Immigration Website
There’s an online tool that can help you retrieve the UID
Number if you can't find it in your documents (you just enter passport
details).
4. Through Your Visa Sponsor or PRO
If you’re joining a company, their PRO can give you the UID
Number directly from the visa file.
Why You Might Not Be Able to Find Your UID Number
It happens! Sometimes newcomers check their documents and
don’t see a UID Number anywhere.
Here’s why:
1. You Haven’t Been Issued One Yet
It might take a little time after your entry.
2. Multiple UID Numbers Were Created
Sometimes, if someone entered the UAE multiple times with
different passports or different visas, the system accidentally creates
duplicate UID Numbers.
This is common for:
- People
who renewed passports before residency
- Travelers
with multiple visas
- Frequent
business travelers
If this happens, immigration has to merge your UID
Numbers so you don’t run into visa issues later.
What Happens If Your UID Number Is Duplicated?
Duplicate UID Numbers can cause trouble, such as:
- Emirates
ID delays
- Visa
rejection
- Residency
system errors
- Medical
test not linking to visa file
- Emirates
ID renewal problems
The solution is simple:
Visit an immigration office or ask your company PRO to request a UID
merge.
It usually takes minutes to resolve.
Do Visitors Also Get a UID Number?
Yes — even tourists and short-term visitors get one.
Many don’t know it exists because it’s not always printed on visitor visas, but
it’s still assigned automatically.
If a visitor later decides to get a residence visa,
immigration will use the same UID Number that was created during their
first visit.
Can You Have More Than One UID Number?
Technically no — the system is designed to give each person
a single permanent UID Number.
However, system glitches or changes in passport numbers can lead to multiple
UID Numbers being created.
This is why merging UID Numbers is so important before
processing your visa.
Is the UID Number the Same as the Unified Number on the Visa?
Yes — “Unified Number” and “UID Number” refer to the same
number.
Some visas label it as:
- UID
- Unified
Number
- UIN
- Unified
ID
Different wording, same purpose.
What Is the Format of a UID Number?
A UID Number is always:
- 9
digits
- No
letters, no symbols
- Typically
formatted like this: 123-456-789 (but usually displayed without
dashes)
How Do You Check Your UID Number Online?
If you don’t have access to your old visa stickers or entry
permits, you can look it up online using your passport details.
Just enter:
- Passport
number
- Passport
type
- Nationality
- Date
of birth
The system will fetch your UID Number automatically.
What If You Have Never Entered the UAE Before?
Then you won’t have a UID Number yet.
The number is created only when you enter the country or when an entry
permit is issued for you.
Can the UID Number Be Used Outside the UAE?
No — it has no legal or personal identity function outside
the UAE.
Its purpose is strictly tied to the UAE’s immigration and residency system.
Why Is the UID Number Becoming More Important Today?
The UAE is heavily digitizing its immigration systems. With
smart-entry gates, paperless visas, and fully digital residency processes, the
UID Number functions as the core ID that every system references.
It’s the anchor that ties all your records together.
In a way, your UID Number is the foundation of your digital
identity in the UAE.
Questions People Ask About the UID Number
Is the UID Number confidential?
Not really — it’s part of your visa file, not a sensitive ID
like your bank account.
Can someone misuse my UID Number?
No — the number alone does not grant any access to your
personal data.
Can children also get a UID Number?
Yes — every person entering the UAE receives one, regardless
of age.
Does the UID Number expire?
No — it’s permanent.
Final Thoughts
The UID Number in the UAE is one of those things you
don’t think about until you absolutely need it — and then suddenly it becomes
the most important number in your visa process.
Whether you're applying for residency, renewing your
Emirates ID, completing your medical tests, or sorting out visa paperwork, your
UID Number is the key that ties everything together.
If you’re new to the UAE or in the middle of the visa
process, keeping track of your UID Number will save you headaches, delays, and
those annoying “your record is not found” errors.
And once it’s sorted, you’re good to go — for life.
Read these too:
- Best Free and Budget-Friendly Things To Do in Dubai UAE
- The Perfect 7-Day Dubai Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
- Flawless Dubai Business Trip Itinerary in 30 Minutes