Sharjah
Sahara Centre Basement Floor - Bank Entrance - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
Airport Street · Al Rahmaniya, Sharjah
The immigration office of Sharjah is the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Sharjah, run by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). It handles residency visas, Emirates ID, entry permits, passports, and establishment registration for people in Sharjah. The office is located on Airport Street, near Bridge No. 6 in the Al Rahmaniya area, and opens Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm, and Friday from 7:00 am to 11:30 am. Many of its services can also be completed online through the ICP app or website. Before you visit for a residency step, you often need a completed visa medical test, Emirates ID typing, or visa typing, which a nearby centre can handle. So the immigration office of Sharjah is your main authority for visa and residency matters in the emirate.
The Authority
The immigration office of Sharjah is officially the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Sharjah. It is part of the ICP, the federal authority that manages identity, residency, and immigration across the UAE. Unlike Dubai, which runs its own GDRFA, Sharjah's immigration services fall under this federal body.
The office is a Customer Happiness Center, and it earned a 4-star rating under the UAE Government Excellence Program. It serves both citizens and residents for a wide range of identity and residency needs. Knowing which authority handles Sharjah saves you from going to the wrong office.
Location & Hours
The office is easy to find on a main route, which helps when you need to visit in person. It sits on Airport Street, near Bridge No. 6, in the Al Rahmaniya area of Sharjah.
On-site amenities
Checking the location and hours before you go keeps your visit smooth.
Departments
The office covers the full range of identity and residency services through four main departments. Each one handles a different part of your immigration needs.
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Identity and Passports Department: Emirates ID and passport-related services.
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Entry Visas and Residency Department: Entry permits and residence visas.
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Establishments Registration Department: Company and sponsor registration.
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Foreign Violators Affairs Department: Overstay and violation matters.
You can also make inquiries about family data, passports, visas, residence permits, and establishment files at the customer service counters. Knowing which department you need helps you prepare the right documents.
Skip the Queue
Many services no longer require a trip to the office, which saves you time and queues. The ICP has moved most residency and identity services onto its digital channels.
Through the ICP website (icp.gov.ae) and the UAEICP smart app, you can:
Using the online channels first often means you avoid the office entirely. Digital services are the fastest route for most routine tasks.
The Bigger Picture
The immigration office is where your residency is officially issued and activated, but it is only one step in a longer process. Before your file reaches the office, several other steps must be complete.
The full journey usually runs from an entry permit, through a medical fitness test, Emirates ID typing, and biometrics, before the office finalises your residence visa. In fact, the Sharjah office even has typing offices on site for the application paperwork. Whether you need an employment visa medical or a family visa medical, those steps come first. Understanding the full sequence helps you arrive at the office ready.
Before You Go
Turning up prepared is the single best way to avoid a wasted trip, because missing documents send you home. The exact list depends on your task, but a few basics apply to most visits.
Your original passport
Your current visa or entry permit
A recent photo
Your sponsor's details
For a residency step, a completed medical fitness certificate is often required first. Confirming your full documents required before you go prevents delays. A complete file is the key to a quick, single visit.
Being Clear
A private medical and typing centre handles the steps that come before the immigration office, which makes your whole process smoother.
A centre like ours is not the immigration office itself; instead, we prepare the parts you need for it.
At our centre, you can complete your medical test, your Emirates ID typing, and your visa application typing in one visit, so your file is ready for the ICP. Our medical takes under 30 minutes, and our fast-track service delivers your certificate in as little as 4 hours. You can also arrange a Golden Visa or visa renewal application here. Handling these steps at one centre saves you time before your immigration office visit.
Get in Touch
Reaching the office is simple, and you can often get answers without visiting at all. The ICP runs a central contact system for all its offices, including Sharjah.
Inside UAE
600 52 22 22
From Abroad
+971 600 522 222
Tawasul Service
171
Digital Services
icp.gov.ae + UAEICP app
Using these channels first is the quickest way to get information or start a service.
Get It Right First
The smoothest immigration office visit starts with an accurate medical and correctly typed application, because errors here cause delays later. Sahara Visa Medical Centre in Sharjah is accredited by MoHAP and ICA and follows Emirates Health Services standards, so your file is prepared correctly the first time.
Under 30 minutes: medical test completed at our centre in Sahara Centre, Al Nahda.
Typing in the same visit: your file is ready for the ICP without extra trips.
45+ years of experience: operated by Emitac Healthcare Solutions.
We are located inside Sahara Centre on Al Nahda Street, minutes from the Dubai border, and we complete your medical test in under 30 minutes. With your Emirates ID and visa typing done in the same visit, your file is ready for the ICP without extra trips. Operated by Emitac Healthcare Solutions, part of groups with more than 45 years in UAE healthcare, we are a trusted, one-stop choice for residents and companies across Sharjah.
FAQ
John Relova drives EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) operations in Dubai via EMITAC Healthcare Solutions and is active in promoting workplace safety culture within the region.
Get In Touch With Us
Medical Examination Centre for Residency - Sahara Centre
Sharjah
Sahara Centre Basement Floor - Bank Entrance - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
Mail Us
sahara.mec@emitac.ae