MOI Visa Check 2026: 7 GCC Portals, Steps & Required Documents

Quick answer: To do an MOI visa check in 2026, go to the official Ministry of Interior portal for the GCC country that issued your visa (Qatar: portal.moi.gov.qa, Saudi: absher.sa, UAE: ica.gov.ae or gdrfad.gov.ae, Kuwait: moi.gov.kw, Oman: rop.gov.om, Bahrain: npra.gov.bh), enter your passport number and visa/reference number, and view validity, expiry, and status instantly.

Which MOI Portal Do I Use for Each GCC Country?

Every GCC state runs its own immigration platform. Bookmark the right one — using the wrong portal is the number-one reason people get "data not found" errors. Below is the definitive list as of October 2026.

Pro tip: All seven portals above support English, but the toggle location varies. On Qatar's portal it's a globe icon top-right; on Saudi Absher it's a dropdown in the header; on UAE ICA it's a language selector next to the login button. If you land on an Arabic-only page, look for "EN" or "English" in the top navigation — it's always there.

What Information Do I Need Before Starting the MOI Visa Check?

Gather these details before you open any portal. Having them ready saves you from session timeouts (most portals log you out after 3–5 minutes of inactivity).

• Passport number: Exact format — no spaces, include all letters (e.g., A1234567). If you renewed your passport since the visa was issued, use the old passport number for the initial check, then update records with the new one.
• Visa / application reference / transaction ID: The 10–15 digit number on your visa sticker, e-visa PDF, or payment receipt. Qatar calls it "Visa Number"; Saudi uses "Visa Number" or "Border Number"; UAE uses "File Number" (federal) or "UID Number" (Dubai); Kuwait uses "Reference Number"; Oman uses "Application Number"; Bahrain uses "Visa Number".
• National ID equivalent: QID (Qatar), Emirates ID (UAE), Iqama/Muqeem ID (KSA), Civil ID (Kuwait), Resident Card (Oman), CPR (Bahrain). Required for residence visa checks; optional for visit/entry permits.
• Sponsor/employer details: Sometimes needed for family/dependent visas — sponsor's ID number, company CR/license number, or relationship proof.

Common mistake: Using your new passport number after renewal while the visa is still tied to the old one. The system won't find it. Always check with the passport that was used during application first, then request a passport update through your sponsor or the embassy.

Step-by-Step: Qatar MOI Visa Check (Metrash2 & portal.moi.gov.qa)

Via Web Portal

1. Go to portal.moi.gov.qa and click "Visa Services" from the main menu.
2. Select "Visa Inquiry" (sometimes labeled "Visa Status").
3. Choose inquiry type: "By Passport Number" or "By Visa Number".
4. Enter passport number (no spaces) and visa number if you have it.
5. Complete the captcha and click "Search".

Via Metrash2 App (Faster, Push Notifications)

1. Open Metrash2 → tap "Visa" on the bottom bar → "Visa Status".
2. Enter passport number and visa number (or QID for residence visas).
3. Tap "Check". Results appear in seconds with a green/red status badge.

Reading the Result

• Visa Type: Tourist, Business, Family Visit, Work Residence, etc.
• Issue Date / Expiry Date: Hijri and Gregorian both shown.
• Status: "Valid" (active), "Expired", "Cancelled", or "Under Process".

"Under Process" meaning: For new applications, it means medical/fingerprint at Qatar Visa Centre (QVC) is pending or background checks are running (typically 3–7 working days). For renewals, it often means the sponsor hasn't submitted the renewal package yet — ping your HR.

Need medical/fingerprint status? Use the Qatar Visa Centre portal with your application reference.

Step-by-Step: Saudi MOI Visa Check (Absher, Muqeem, Qiwa)

Absher Individuals (Most Common for Expats)

1. Log in to absher.sa with your Absher username/password or via Nafath.
2. Navigate: "My Services" → "Passports" → "Visa Status".
3. Select visa type: Exit/Re-entry, Final Exit, New Employment, Family Visit, etc.
4. Enter passport number and visa number (or Iqama number for residence visas).
5. Click "View".

Muqeem Portal (Employer/Sponsor Side)

If you're an HR/professional checking on behalf of employees, use muqeem.sa. Log in with the company's Muqeem credentials → "Visa Services" → "Visa Inquiry" → enter employee's passport/Iqama. This shows the same data but with sponsor-level actions (extend, cancel, report absence).

Qiwa Platform (Work Contract Verification)

For employment visa + contract status, log into qiwa.sa → "My Contracts" or "Visa Services". Qiwa is the single source of truth for contract authenticity, visa issuance linked to the contract, and Saudization (Nitaqat) compliance.

Key Saudi Visa Statuses

• Exit/Re-entry Visa: Shows "Issued", "Used", "Expired", or "Cancelled". Single vs multiple entry matters — check the "Number of Entries" field.
• Final Exit: "Issued" means you can leave; "Used" means you've exited KSA; "Cancelled" means sponsor withdrew it.
• New Employment Visa: "Issued" → you can travel; "Under Process" → medical/background checks pending (5–10 days).

Common error — "Data does not match": Almost always a passport/Iqama mismatch. If you renewed your passport, the visa is still on the old number. Update via Absher → "Passport Information" or ask your sponsor to update in Muqeem.

Step-by-Step: UAE Visa Status Check (ICA, GDRFA, UAEICP)

ICA Federal Portal (ica.gov.ae) — All Emirates

1. Visit ica.gov.ae → "Services" → "Visa & Residency" → "Check Visa Status".
2. Enter File Number (on the visa sticker/PDF) or Unified Number (UID).
3. Enter passport number, nationality, and date of birth.
4. Click "Search". Result shows visa type, issue/expiry dates, and status (Valid, Expired, Cancelled).

GDRFA Dubai Portal (gdrfad.gov.ae) — Dubai-issued Visas Only

1. Go to gdrfad.gov.ae → "Services" → "Entry Permit / Residence Visa" → "Visa Status Inquiry".
2. Enter File Number or UID Number.
3. Enter passport details.
4. Submit. Dubai visas do not appear on the federal ICA portal and vice versa.

UAEICP App (Mobile)

Download UAEICP (formerly UAE Pass). Log in with UAE Pass → "Visa Services" → "Check Visa Status". Works for both federal and Dubai visas once linked.

Note: If your visa was issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, or Umm Al Quwain, use ICA. If issued in Dubai, use GDRFA. Using the wrong one returns "No record found".

Step-by-Step: Kuwait MOI Visa Check (moi.gov.kw)

1. Visit moi.gov.kw → "E-Services" → "Visa Inquiry".
2. Select inquiry type: "Visit Visa" or "Residence Visa".
3. For visit visas: enter passport number and reference number. For residence: enter Civil ID number.
4. Complete captcha and submit.

Statuses: "Valid", "Expired", "Under Process", "Cancelled". Residence visas show expiry date; visit visas show validity period (usually 30/90 days).

Step-by-Step: Oman MOI Visa Check (rop.gov.om)

1. Go to rop.gov.om → "E-Services" → "Visa Status".
2. Choose visa category: Tourist, Employment, Family Joining, etc.
3. Enter Application Number (from eVisa receipt) and passport number.
4. Click "Search".

Oman uses distinct status codes: "Approved" (visa granted), "Under Process" (background/medical), "Rejected", "Expired". Employment visas require separate medical clearance check on the same portal.

Step-by-Step: Bahrain MOI Visa Check (npra.gov.bh)

1. Visit npra.gov.bh → "E-Services" → "Visa Inquiry".
2. Enter CPR Number (Central Population Register) and passport number.
3. If you don't have a CPR yet (new applicant), use "Passport + Visa Number" option.
4. Submit. Result shows visa type, expiry, and status (Valid, Expired, Cancelled, Under Process).

Bahrain's NPRA app also sends push notifications when status changes (e.g., from "Under Process" to "Approved").

Common Errors & Quick Fixes

FAQ

Can I check someone else's visa status?

Only if you are the sponsor/employer (via Muqeem, Qiwa, or company portal) or have their explicit consent and login credentials. Personal checks require the individual's passport/ID details.

How often is the MOI portal updated?

Real-time for most status changes (issuance, cancellation, expiry). Medical/background check updates may take 24–48 hours to reflect.

What if my visa shows "Valid" but I'm denied entry at the airport?

"Valid" means the visa exists in the system. Entry can still be denied for: passport validity <6 months, security flags, missing OK-to-board (for some airlines), or visa type mismatch (e.g., tourist visa used for work). Always confirm with your sponsor before travel.

Do I need to print the visa status page?

Not required for most GCC countries — immigration officers verify electronically. But keep a screenshot/PDF as backup, especially for Oman and Bahrain where airlines sometimes ask for it at check-in.

Can I check visa status without an account?

Yes. All GCC portals allow guest inquiry with passport + visa/reference number. Account login (Absher, Metrash2, UAE Pass) adds saved profiles and push alerts.

Key Takeaways

• Use the correct country-specific MOI portal — cross-portal searches fail.
• Have your old passport number ready if you renewed after visa issuance.
• "Under Process" usually means pending medical/fingerprint or sponsor action — follow up with HR or the visa centre.
• Dubai visas are on GDRFA; all other emirates are on ICA federal portal.
• Bookmark the portal and download the mobile app for push notifications on status changes.

Last updated: October 2026. Portal URLs and steps current as of this month. Always verify on the official .gov domain before entering personal data.

Frequently asked questions

Can I check someone else's visa status?

Only if you are the sponsor/employer (via Muqeem, Qiwa, or company portal) or have their explicit consent and login credentials. Personal checks require the individual's passport/ID details.

How often is the MOI portal updated?

Real-time for most status changes (issuance, cancellation, expiry). Medical/background check updates may take 24–48 hours to reflect.

What if my visa shows "Valid" but I'm denied entry at the airport?

"Valid" means the visa exists in the system. Entry can still be denied for: passport validity <6 months, security flags, missing OK-to-board (for some airlines), or visa type mismatch (e.g., tourist visa used for work). Always confirm with your sponsor before travel.

Do I need to print the visa status page?

Not required for most GCC countries — immigration officers verify electronically. But keep a screenshot/PDF as backup, especially for Oman and Bahrain where airlines sometimes ask for it at check-in.

Can I check visa status without an account?

Yes. All GCC portals allow guest inquiry with passport + visa/reference number. Account login (Absher, Metrash2, UAE Pass) adds saved profiles and push alerts.