Quick answer: Beta ICP is the redesigned Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security portal at beta.icp.gov.ae, where you can check visa status, track Emirates ID applications, verify residence validity and apply for entry permits online. It works the same way as the main ICP smart services but with a faster, cleaner interface — you enter an Emirates ID number, passport number or application reference to get a result in seconds. Emirates ID government fees range from AED 286 (2-year visa) to AED 1,186 (10-year Golden Visa).
Key takeaways
- Beta ICP (beta.icp.gov.ae) is the trial version of the official UAE federal identity and residency portal.
- Use it for visa status checks, Emirates ID tracking, residence validity and entry-permit applications.
- Most status checks are free; transaction fees appear on-screen before you pay.
- Emirates ID government fees are fixed: AED 286, 686 or 1,186 depending on visa length.
- If a service errors out on beta, the stable main portal at icp.gov.ae does the same job.
What is beta ICP?
Beta ICP is the pre-release version of the UAE government's official identity and residency portal, run by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). "Beta" simply means it is a newer, still-being-tested build of the same platform most residents know as ICP smart services — the government publishes it so users can access updated features and give feedback before they roll out site-wide.
You reach it at beta.icp.gov.ae. It handles the same core jobs as the main portal: residence visa applications, entry permits, Emirates ID, status enquiries and file amendments. The layout is redesigned and, in practice, loads faster than the older interface. If you already have a UAE Pass account, you can log in with it directly.
This guide is a separate entry point from our full ICP smart services walkthrough — read that one if you want the complete service catalogue. This one focuses on the beta portal specifically and the three things people most often use it for: visa checks, Emirates ID and status lookups.
Why does the beta portal exist alongside the main one?
The beta portal exists so ICP can test interface and feature changes on real users before replacing the main site. Governments run beta environments to catch bugs, gather feedback and phase in new design without breaking the service millions of residents depend on every day.
For you, the practical difference is small. The beta version usually has the newer look and occasionally a service the main site hasn't updated yet. The main site (icp.gov.ae) is more stable. Data is shared between them — your visa file, Emirates ID record and application history are the same regardless of which URL you open. If a page misbehaves on beta, switch to the main portal and complete the same task there.
What can you do on beta ICP?
You can complete almost every federal residency and identity task on beta ICP without visiting a typing centre. Below is what it covers and where each item sits in the wider process.
| Service on beta ICP | What it does | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Visa status check | Confirms if a residence visa is active, expired or under process | Usually free |
| Emirates ID status | Tracks card production and delivery | Free to check |
| Entry permit application | Applies for a new residence entry permit | Shown at checkout |
| Residence file amendment | Updates job title, sponsor or personal data | Shown at checkout |
| Overstay / fine enquiry | Displays any accrued fines on a file | Free to check |
| Golden Visa application | Starts a long-term residence application | Shown at checkout |
Status checks are generally free. Transactions — applying for or amending something — carry a government fee that the portal displays on screen before you confirm payment. We deliberately don't publish a single fixed number for every transaction here, because ICP sets those fees and they vary by service and can change without notice. Read the fee shown at the final step; that is the authoritative figure.
How to check your visa status on beta ICP
You can check your UAE visa status on beta ICP in under two minutes using your passport or Emirates ID number. Here is the process step by step.
- Open beta.icp.gov.ae in a browser. You don't have to log in for a basic status check.
- Find "Passport Information Services" or the visa/residency enquiry option on the homepage.
- Choose your search type — by residency file number, passport number, or Emirates ID number.
- Enter your details, including nationality and date of birth if prompted.
- Complete the captcha and submit.
- Read the result — it shows whether your visa is valid, its issue and expiry dates, and current status.
If you get an error or a blank result, don't assume your visa is cancelled. Try the main ICP smart services portal with the same details, or confirm the exact file number you're entering. For Emirates ID specifically, you can also use our Emirates ID status check guide.
Emirates ID fees on ICP — what you actually pay
Emirates ID government fees on ICP are fixed and scale with the length of your residence visa, not with which portal you use. These are the exact government figures, quoted daily by our team:
| Emirates ID (by visa length) | Government fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| 2-year visa | 286 |
| 5-year visa | 686 |
| 10-year visa / Golden Visa | 1,186 |
Two things worth knowing. First, there is no 1-year Emirates ID card — the shortest card runs two years, so AED 286 is the floor. A freelance permit may be sold as a one-year product, but the residence visa and Emirates ID that come with it are still issued for two years. Second, a typing centre or service provider may add a small handling charge on top of the government fee. That is a service fee, not part of the ICP figure, and should always be shown to you separately.
Documents you'll need before you start
Have these ready before you open beta ICP for any transaction — not just a status check:
- Passport (valid, with clear scan of the photo page)
- Emirates ID number or existing card, if you already have one
- Residence file / entry permit number, for amendments
- Recent passport-size photo meeting ICP specifications, for ID applications
- UAE Pass account, for logged-in services
- A payment card, for any service that carries a fee
A simple status check needs only one identifier — usually your passport or Emirates ID number. The document list above matters when you move from checking to applying.
Beta ICP vs the main ICP portal — which should you use?
Use beta ICP for the newer interface and any feature it has that the main site doesn't yet; use the main portal when you want maximum stability or a service errors out on beta. Both draw on the same government database, so your records are identical across them.
For a quick status check, either works — pick whichever loads. For an important, time-sensitive transaction such as a visa application or Golden Visa submission, many residents prefer the main site because it has fewer trial-stage glitches. If something breaks mid-transaction on beta, no data is lost; the same file is waiting on the main portal.
If you'd rather not deal with either portal yourself, this is exactly the kind of task our PRO services team handles day to day — visa applications, Emirates ID processing and file amendments, submitted carefully and checked before filing. It's also part of how we manage UAE visa services for our clients, from investor and employment visas through to the Golden Visa.
FAQ
What is beta ICP used for?
Beta ICP is used for UAE visa status checks, Emirates ID tracking, entry-permit applications, residence file amendments and fine enquiries. It's the trial version of the official ICP portal at beta.icp.gov.ae, run by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and shares the same database as the main site.
Is beta.icp.gov.ae an official UAE government website?
Yes, beta.icp.gov.ae is an official UAE government website operated by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). "Beta" indicates it is a newer, still-being-tested version of the main ICP portal, released so users can access updated features before they roll out across the full platform.
How much does it cost to get an Emirates ID through ICP?
The Emirates ID government fee is AED 286 for a 2-year visa, AED 686 for a 5-year visa, and AED 1,186 for a 10-year or Golden Visa. These are fixed government figures. A typing centre may add a small handling charge on top, which should be shown to you separately as a service fee.
Can I check my UAE visa status for free on beta ICP?
Yes, checking your UAE visa status on beta ICP is free. Enter your passport number, Emirates ID number or residency file number, complete the captcha, and the portal shows whether your visa is valid and its expiry date. Only transactions like new applications or amendments carry a fee, displayed before payment.
What's the difference between beta ICP and ICP smart services?
Beta ICP is the trial, redesigned version of the ICP smart services portal — same authority, same database, newer interface. ICP smart services (icp.gov.ae) is the stable main site. If a service glitches on beta, you can complete the identical task on the main portal without losing any data.
Do I need a UAE Pass to use beta ICP?
No, you don't need a UAE Pass for a simple visa or Emirates ID status check on beta ICP — a passport or ID number is enough. You do need a UAE Pass account to log in for personalised services like submitting applications, making amendments or paying government fees online.
Dealing with visa files, Emirates ID renewals or a residence application you'd rather not handle alone? DBM has processed these for over 1,000 companies across 10+ years and holds a 4.9-star rating from 126 Google reviews. Book a free consultation through our contact page or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 504 6228 — we'll tell you exactly what a service costs and what the government fee is, separately and upfront.