(Credit - Dubai Eye 103.8)
GDRFA Dubai Sees Significant Growth in Entry and Residency Services
In Dubai, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, also known as GDRFA Dubai, has reported strong growth in entry and residency services during the first half of 2026. This growth is a significant indicator of the emirate’s thriving economy and its attractiveness to foreigners. The GDRFA Dubai’s performance in the first half of the year reflects the authority’s efforts to provide faster and smarter government services.
The GDRFA Dubai processed over 7 million entry and residency-related permits in the first half of 2026. This includes over 5 million entry permits and more than 1 million new residence permits. The average transaction time for these services was four minutes, and customer satisfaction reached 95%. The authority also reported 910,552 renewals and 66,000 Golden Visas issued during the same period. Furthermore, the GDRFA Dubai conducted over 521,000 Work Bundle transactions, which is a significant increase from previous periods.
The expansion of visa services, such as five-year multiple-entry tourist visas and event visas, has contributed to the growth in demand for entry and residency services. The GDRFA Dubai’s efforts to provide faster and more efficient services have resulted in increased customer satisfaction and a stronger position for Dubai as a destination for living, working, and investing.
The growth in entry and residency services in Dubai is also closely tied to the emirate’s overall strategy to strengthen its position as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment. The Dubai government’s focus on providing innovative and efficient services has been a key factor in attracting foreigners to the emirate. As the GDRFA Dubai continues to expand its visa services and improve its processes, it is likely that the demand for entry and residency services will continue to grow.
In the context of Dubai’s emirate-level strategy, the GDRFA Dubai’s performance in the first half of 2026 is a significant achievement. The authority’s efforts to provide faster and smarter government services are in line with the Dubai government’s overall vision to make the emirate a leader in innovation and efficiency. As the GDRFA Dubai looks to the future, it is likely that the authority will continue to play a critical role in supporting the growth and development of the emirate.
