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Updated January 2024
Emirates ID is a mandatory identity card for both UAE nationals and residents of the United Arab Emirates. This card provides holders with access to various services and privileges as long as it remains valid. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the validity and initiate the renewal process promptly when your Emirates ID is expired or approaching its expiration date.
In this article, Wego will guide you through the process of renewing your Emirates ID. We will cover the necessary steps, requirements, fees, and exemptions involved in the renewal process.
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Emirates ID renewal latest news
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has specified the categories exempt from fines for the late renewal of the Emirates ID card.
Emiratis and expats can request exemptions from penalties under the following circumstances:
- Expats who have left the UAE and spent more than three months outside the country and whose cards expired after they left.
- Deported individuals, individuals whose passports have been seized pending cases, or those whose identity cards have expired after being deported by a court order, administrative decision, or judicial ruling are eligible, provided the competent authorities have issued them with a letter or receipt proving this.
- An individual who has not been issued an identity card prior to obtaining UAE nationality and the family book.
Emirates ID renewal
If your Emirates ID is expired or about to expire, it is important to apply for its renewal as soon as possible to avoid late fines and inconvenience. The time limit to renew an expired ID card is typically 30 days from the date of expiry. Additionally, you will receive a notification via SMS from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) requesting you to renew your ID card.
It is worth noting that the process of renewing the Emirates ID varies for UAE citizens and expatriates. In the case of expatriates, the initial stage of renewing their Emirates ID involves the renewal of their UAE residency visa, as these two documents are interconnected. Therefore, expats must ensure that their UAE residency visa remains valid in order to proceed with the renewal of their Emirates ID.
Emirates ID renewal status
To check the status of your Emirates ID renewal application, you can utilize the ID Card Status service offered by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) on their official website. To make use of this service, simply enter your Application Number (PRAN) or Emirates ID Number (for Renewal/Replacement Applications) to track the ongoing progress of your application.
For more details, please refer to our Emirates ID Check 2023 article.
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Emirates ID renewal grace period
The ICP has officially announced that individuals who fail to submit their ID card renewal application within 30 days of the expiry date will incur a fine. The penalty will amount to AED 20 per day, with a maximum cap of AED 1,000.
Emirates ID renewal requirements
The Emirates ID renewal process requires different sets of documents for UAE citizens, GCC nationals, and expatriates. As per the ICP official portal, details are outlined below.
For expats
- valid original passport
- original valid residency visa or entry permit
- residency visa under renewal (if applicable)
- old Emirates ID card
- passport-sized photograph (4.5 x 3.5 cm) with white background
- completed renewal application form (available online or at authorized typing centers in the UAE)
- for newborns or those under the age of 15:
- personal photo (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) with white background
- original birth certificate OR father’s passport or Emirates ID
- passport and visa of the sponsor of the applicant (only for newborns)
For UAE citizens
- personal photo (4.5 x 3.5 cm) with a white background for all age groups
- the original agency certificate if the application is being submitted by a third party on behalf of the customer, in cases where the person concerned is not present during the application at service centers
For GCC nationals
- valid original passport
- valid original GCC ID card
- a personal photo (4.5 x 3.5 cm) with a white background for all age groups
- for individuals under 15 years old, you will need the original birth certificate, passport of one of the parents, or Emirates ID
- proof of residency in the UAE, such as:
- a valid trade license, certificate to prove the applicant is studying in the UAE, employment certificate, or attested employment agreement
- for children, relevant documents of the parent(s) of the applicant can be used as proof of residency in the UAE
Emirates ID renewal process
To renew your Emirates ID, follow these steps:
Step 1: Register/Use UAE Pass: Register on the ICP website or use the ICP App available on Google Play, App Store, and Huawei. You can also log in using your UAE Pass account.
Step 2: Application and Payment: Fill in the application form with your personal and contact details. Upload the required documents and complete the payment of fees.
Step 3: Expatriates’ Residence Visa: If you are an expat, make sure to issue or renew your residence visa through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or its smart channels before receiving your Emirates ID.
Step 4: Receive Your ID Card: After your application is approved, you will receive an SMS with a tracking number and a link to check the status of your ID card. Alternatively, you can track the status on the ICP website or app. Your ID card can be delivered by courier or collected from a post office or service center.
Emirates ID renewal online
A new service in the UAE allows individuals to remotely renew their Emirates ID card and passport, even if they are outside the country. However, applicants must personally initiate the transaction using the ICP’s dedicated smart application to verify ownership.
Additionally, the authority has established nine specific criteria for personal photo submissions, regardless of the applicant’s age.
- Wear the official attire of the United Arab Emirates.
- Head coverings are allowed in accordance with customs and traditions.
- Use a white background.
- Provide a high-quality and recent colored photo taken within the last six months (35-40 mm).
- Ensure the head is positioned straight and parallel to the camera lens.
- Maintain a neutral facial expression.
- Keep both eyes open and face the camera without colored contact lenses.
- Ensure that glasses do not obstruct the eyes or cause reflections.
- The image resolution should be at least 600 dots per inch and free from ink marks or wrinkles.
To avoid delays, please double-check the accuracy of the entered information and verify phone numbers, email addresses, and preferred delivery methods before proceeding with payment.
Emirates ID renewal kiosks
In the near future, UAE citizens and residents will have 24/7 access to Emirates ID services, thanks to a pioneering initiative by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP). They are developing a groundbreaking project featuring kiosks that will enable UAE nationals and expatriates to instantly renew their passports and Emirates IDs. Once the project proves successful, these kiosks will be strategically deployed in critical locations across the country, including airports and malls.
During the Gitex Global event at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the federal body unveiled a kiosk for visitors to experience firsthand. Gitex is the world’s largest technology companies gathering, where over 6,000 public and private sector companies and startups showcase their latest innovations.
In the initial phase, individuals in the UAE, including residents and visitors, will be able to submit their biometric data through these kiosks, eliminating the need for scheduling appointments at ICP service centers, as these services will be available around the clock in the future.
The kiosks will be equipped with a connected printer, allowing UAE nationals and residents to instantly print their Emirates IDs and visas. Moreover, the kiosks will have the capability to print passports for UAE citizens and visas for visitors. Foreign visitors will also find these kiosks helpful for submitting their biometrics to obtain SIM cards, as the machines can capture fingerprints, signatures, and photographs.
The federal authority is actively working on this project, and pending successful trials, this service is anticipated to be rolled out later this year.
Emirates ID renewal fees
The cost of renewing the Emirates ID varies based on factors such as the current validity of the ID and the specific center where the renewal process is conducted. The total fee for Emirates ID renewal at a typing center can vary and is outlined as follows.
- Expats: AED 170 (1-year validity), AED 270 (2-year validity), AED 370 (3-year validity)
- UAE citizens: AED 170 (5-year validity), AED 270 (10 years validity)
- GCC nationals: AED 170 (5-year validity)
Emirates ID renewal processing time
The processing time for an Emirates ID can range from 24 hours to five days, depending on the selected method. Expatriates who require a quicker turnaround time of 24 hours can choose the urgent service, which incurs an additional fee.
Emirates ID exemption from delay penalty
Some categories of individuals might be exempted from a penalty when they fail to renew their Emirates ID on time. The categories of the exempted individuals include the following:
- The individual left the UAE over 3 months ago, and the ID card expired after his departure.
- The individual whose ID Card expired after he was deported by virtue of an administrative order or decision or a Court judgment or whose passport is withheld in connection with lawsuits, provided that there is a report through a letter or receipt issued by the competent bodied.
- The individual for whom no ID Card was issued for the period before obtaining Emirati citizenship and getting the family book.
The individual who falls into the exemption category must follow the following steps:
- Applying for the renewal service through the smart service system.
- Enclosing the required documents for getting the service and following up on the application.
- Getting the result of the application, whether approval or refusal, then completing the application for the ID card.
