UAE Government Services Online: Beginner Guide for Expats
The UAE runs much of its government online, which is convenient once you know the main tools. For a new expat, though, the portals and logins can feel overwhelming. This beginner guide gets you oriented.
When the online route gets stuck, our ICP application support can step in.
Start with UAE PASS
UAE PASS is the national digital identity. One verified account logs you into government portals and many private services, and lets you sign documents digitally. Setting it up early makes everything else easier.
The main portals
- ICP — visas and Emirates ID for most emirates
- GDRFA Dubai — visas for Dubai files
- MOHRE — labour and employment services
- Emirate-specific apps for local services
Which one you use depends on the service and your emirate, as explained in our ICP vs GDRFA guide.
Keep your contact details current
Portals send one-time codes to the mobile number registered with ICP. If that number is outdated, you can be locked out of your own accounts — see our guide on updating it.
When to get help
- Locked out by OTPs going to an old number
- Complex applications where a mistake is costly
- Forms in Arabic you are unsure about
- A status stuck on "return for modification"
Conclusion
Set up UAE PASS, learn which portal serves your need, and keep your contact number current. With those basics, online government services become genuinely convenient. When something blocks you, message our ICP application support.
Related guides: Check Visa Status Online · Update Mobile Number in Emirates ID · ICP vs GDRFA Dubai