Quick answer: UAE "smart services" are the online government portals that let you handle visas, Emirates ID, residency and daily services without visiting a counter. The four you will actually use are ICP (federal, for entry permits and Emirates ID), ICA (the same authority's older brand), GDRFA (Dubai residency and visas) and DubaiNow (a Dubai super-app for fines, bills and quick visa checks). Most now let you log in with UAE Pass, and service fees vary by transaction — each portal shows the fee before you pay.
Key takeaways
- "Smart services" is the umbrella term for the UAE government's online transaction portals.
- ICP and ICA are the same federal authority — use ICP for entry permits, visa status and Emirates ID nationwide.
- GDRFA handles Dubai-specific residency and visa transactions; DubaiNow is for everyday services and quick lookups.
- UAE Pass is now the single login that works across almost all of them.
- Government fees are set by the authority, shown on the portal before payment, and change without notice.
What are "smart services" in the UAE?
Smart services are the UAE government's digital portals that let residents, investors and business owners complete official transactions — visa applications, Emirates ID renewals, status checks, fine payments — entirely online. Instead of queuing at a typing centre or a government counter, you log in, submit, pay and track the request from a phone or laptop.
The confusing part is that there is no single portal. Different authorities run different platforms, and which one you need depends on the emirate and the transaction. Below we break down the four that matter for anyone living, working or setting up a company in the UAE, what each can do, and how to log in.
ICP smart services — the federal portal
ICP is the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and its portal (smartservices.icp.gov.ae) is the one to use for federal immigration and identity matters across all seven emirates. It is the default portal for most residents outside a Dubai-specific residency transaction.
What you can do on ICP:
- Apply for or renew entry permits and residence visas
- Emirates ID applications, renewals and replacements
- Visa status and file validity checks
- Golden Visa and family sponsorship applications
- Establishment card issuance for companies
We cover the portal in detail in our ICP smart services guide, and if you are managing company immigration files, our PRO services team handles these submissions on your behalf.
ICA smart services — same authority, older name
ICA smart services and ICP smart services are the same authority — ICA (the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) was expanded and rebranded to ICP. If a form, notice or older bookmark says "ICA," it is pointing to the same federal platform, so do not worry about which name you are seeing.
In practice, people still search "ICA smart services" out of habit. The functions are identical: entry permits, residency, Emirates ID and status checks. We keep a dedicated ICA smart services walkthrough for anyone who lands there. The one thing to remember is that a Dubai residence visa is usually processed through GDRFA, not the federal portal — which brings us to the next platform.
GDRFA — Dubai residency and visas
GDRFA (the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai) is the Dubai-specific authority for residency and visa transactions, and its portal is where most Dubai residence visas are actually issued. If you live in Dubai or your company is licensed in Dubai, this is often the portal your visa moves through.
What you can do on GDRFA:
- Dubai residence visa issuance, renewal and cancellation
- Entry permits for visitors and new residents in Dubai
- Sponsoring family members resident in Dubai
- Overstay fine checks and visa validity for Dubai files
- Establishment card matters for Dubai immigration files
A common source of confusion: ICP is federal, GDRFA is Dubai. For a Dubai-based business, your investor and employee visas typically go through GDRFA, while a company in Sharjah, Ajman or Abu Dhabi will usually run through the ICP portal. Our visa services team decides which route applies to your file and processes it end to end.
DubaiNow — the everyday super-app
DubaiNow is Dubai's unified government app, built for fast, everyday transactions rather than complex immigration files. It pulls together services from dozens of Dubai entities into one login, so you can pay a fine, settle a utility bill or check a visa status in a couple of taps.
What you can do on DubaiNow:
- Pay traffic fines, Salik and utility (DEWA) bills
- Check visa and Emirates ID status
- Renew vehicle registration
- Top up Nol cards and pay government fees
- Quick residency and sponsorship status lookups
Think of DubaiNow as the consumer front end and GDRFA/ICP as the full processing portals behind it. For a quick check — "is my Emirates ID ready?" — DubaiNow is faster; for the full application, use ICP or GDRFA. Our Emirates ID status check guide shows you how.
Which portal do I use? A quick comparison
Here is how the four platforms line up so you can pick the right one before you log in.
| Portal | Run by | Best for | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICP | Federal Authority (ICP) | Entry permits, Emirates ID, visa status, Golden Visa | All emirates |
| ICA | Same as ICP (older brand) | Identical to ICP | All emirates |
| GDRFA | Dubai residency authority | Dubai residence visas, entry permits, family sponsorship | Dubai only |
| DubaiNow | Dubai Government (app) | Fines, bills, quick status checks | Dubai daily services |
How do I log in to a UAE smart services portal?
Almost every portal now accepts UAE Pass, the national digital identity, which is the fastest and most reliable way in. Here is the process from scratch:
- Download and verify UAE Pass. Install the UAE Pass app, register with your Emirates ID and mobile number, then verify your identity — either through the app's document scan or at a UAE Pass kiosk. Verification is what unlocks the full range of services.
- Open the portal you need. Go to smartservices.icp.gov.ae for ICP/ICA, the GDRFA website or app for Dubai residency, or the DubaiNow app for everyday services.
- Choose "Login with UAE Pass." On each portal, select the UAE Pass button rather than creating a separate username and password.
- Authorise on your phone. UAE Pass pushes an approval request to your device — confirm it, and you are logged in.
- Select your service and pay. Pick the transaction, upload any documents requested, and review the fee. The portal displays the exact government fee before you confirm payment.
If you do not yet have UAE Pass, most portals still allow you to create a direct account with an email and password, but UAE Pass avoids repeated logins across platforms.
What documents do I need for smart services transactions?
Have these ready before you start any visa or Emirates ID transaction — missing one is the most common reason an online application stalls.
- Passport copy (valid at least six months) and a recent photo with a plain background
- Emirates ID (existing card, for renewals) or the application reference
- Entry permit or current visa details, if applicable
- Trade licence and establishment card, for company-sponsored visas
- Tenancy contract / Ejari, where residency requires proof of address
- Medical fitness certificate, for new residence visas
- A working UAE mobile number and email linked to UAE Pass
What do smart services cost?
Smart services do not have a single price — each transaction carries its own government fee, and the portal shows it before you pay. The fee depends on the service (entry permit, visa, Emirates ID), its duration, and any urgency option you select. Because these are authority-set fees, they change without notice, so always treat the figure on the portal as the source of truth.
The one set of figures worth knowing in advance is the Emirates ID card fee, because it scales with your visa length. Note there is no 1-year Emirates ID card — the shortest card runs two years.
| Emirates ID (tied to visa duration) | Government fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Emirates ID — 2-year visa | 286 |
| Emirates ID — 5-year visa | 686 |
| Emirates ID — 10-year visa (Golden Visa) | 1,186 |
A typing centre or service provider may add a small handling charge on top of the government fee — that is a service fee, separate from the amount the portal collects. For other transactions (entry permits, residence visas), the fee varies by type and duration and is displayed on the portal at checkout. If you want a clear, itemised breakdown before you commit, our PRO services team quotes government fees and service fees separately.
FAQ
What is the difference between ICP and ICA smart services?
There is no difference — they are the same federal authority. ICA (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) was expanded and rebranded to ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security). Older forms and bookmarks may still say ICA, but both point to the same portal and services.
Is ICP or GDRFA used for a Dubai residence visa?
GDRFA is generally used for Dubai residence visas, because it is Dubai's own residency authority. ICP is the federal portal used across all emirates for entry permits, Emirates ID and visa status. For a Dubai-licensed company, investor and employee visas usually run through GDRFA, while businesses in other emirates use ICP.
How do I log in to UAE smart services?
Log in using UAE Pass, the national digital identity that works across ICP, GDRFA and DubaiNow. Download and verify the UAE Pass app with your Emirates ID, then choose "Login with UAE Pass" on the portal and approve the request on your phone. A direct email-and-password account is also possible on most portals.
How much does it cost to renew an Emirates ID on smart services?
An Emirates ID renewal costs 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 card — these are the government fees, set by the authority. A typing centre may add a small handling charge on top. The portal shows the exact fee before you pay.
Can I use DubaiNow instead of ICP or GDRFA?
Use DubaiNow for quick, everyday tasks — paying fines, settling bills and checking your visa or Emirates ID status. For full applications, such as issuing or renewing a residence visa, use ICP or GDRFA, which are the complete processing portals. DubaiNow is the fast front end; the others do the heavy lifting.
Do I need UAE Pass to use smart services?
You do not strictly need UAE Pass, but it is the easiest way in. It gives you one verified login across ICP, GDRFA and DubaiNow, so you avoid managing separate accounts. Most portals still allow a direct email-and-password account, though some higher-level services require the identity verification that UAE Pass provides.
Not sure which portal your visa or Emirates ID transaction should run through — or want it handled for you without the guesswork? DBM's PRO team processes ICP, ICA and GDRFA submissions daily and quotes government and service fees separately, so you always know what you are paying. Book a free consultation via our contact page or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 504 6228. You can also browse our full library of UAE government-process guides.