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Reviewed March 2024

The Emirates ID is the national ID card issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) for both Emirati nationals and expat residents living in the UAE. The Emirates ID is a legal requirement for all UAE citizens and residents, including newborn babies.

Due to the vitality of the document, it is important to keep your details regularly updated on your card. The UAE digital government has laid out a detailed set of rules and instructions through which you can easily modify your registered details. Keep reading to find out more.

Please note: ICA Smart Services now operates as ICP Smart Services, and can be accessed via the website icp.gov.ae

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Emirates ID update latest news

UAE residents can now easily make changes to their visa details through online platforms, according to local media reports. Initiating a request for adjustments in residence visa information will also automatically generate an application for a replacement Emirates ID.

This development reflects the UAEICP’s dedication to maintaining accurate identification records and enhancing convenience for residents needing to modify their identification information. The UAE ICP’s commitment to leveraging technology and improving service quality is expected to facilitate smoother experiences for individuals updating their Emirates ID information.

Emirates ID update through ICP

The UAE digital government mandates that changes to Emirates ID data must be reported to the ICP within 30 days. This applies to both nationals and expatriate residents. Dubai Courts encourages residents to keep their Emirates ID information current, which can be done via the ICP website. This allows Dubai Courts to contact residents easily for legal proceedings.

Our valued customers, please update your ID at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security via the following link:https://t.co/KemM18c9o3 #DubaiCourts #Dubai #UAE pic.twitter.com/o1GvV8imNe

— Dubai Courts – محاكم دبي (@DubaiCourts) June 9, 2023

In the UAE, the immigration system operates uniformly across all emirates under federal authority, with the exception of Dubai, which utilizes its own distinct system managed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The following guide provides instructions on how to update your Emirates ID, with procedures differentiated based on the emirate that issued the ID. This is particularly useful for expatriates residing in the UAE.

Dubai

Given that Dubai has its own system, please note that while you can initiate your Emirates ID update on the ICP portal, you will be redirected to the GDRFA portal to complete the process. Please follow the steps below to update your Dubai-issued Emirates ID.

Online

log on to the GDRFA-Dubai website
register a new user account (in case of no account)
select the required service
attach the required documents (a recent personal photo with a white background for the sponsored person and the sponsored person’s passport)
pay the fees due for the service
submit the application

Other requirements

your passport should have a validity of more than six months
if you are an investor or partner, you must present your establishment card
if your sponsor is from the government sector, you must submit a letter indicating a change of profession
if your sponsor is from the private sector, you must submit either a labour contract or Employment ID

Fees

an urgent service fee of AED 100 is applicable
an innovation fee of AED 10 is charged
a printing fee of AED 100 is levied in case of submission through ZAJEL Courier Center

Offline

head to one of AMER’s service centers. You can find the one nearest to your location here
select the required service at the receptionist
submit the required documents to the service employee
pay the fees due for the service
submit the application
receive approval by SMS
visit any GDRFA branch to stamp the visa

Please also note the following:

a text message and an email will be sent to you regarding the status of your application
if there are any documents missing from your application, you will be notified and asked to attach the missing documents within 30 days. If the missing documents are not attached within this period, your application will be canceled
if there are no missing documents in your application, you will be notified of the approval

Fees

an urgent service fee of AED 100 is applicable
an innovation fee of AED 10 is charged
a printing fee of AED 100 is levied in case of submission through ZAJEL Courier Center

All other emirates

Online

According to authorities, UAE residents and citizens can apply to change or update any details for an existing and valid Emirates ID card through the ICP website or its smart application (iOS, Android) with just a few taps and clicks.

Documents required

In order to start the process, you need to present the following documents:

a colored personal photograph
a copy of your passport
a sponsor’s signed data amendment request
copies of both the front and back sides of the Emirates ID card

Updating procedure

visit icp.gov.ae
click on the “Start Services” button
search for the updating service
fill in the application data with your Emirates ID details
update details
pay the service fee

Fees

For those seeking to update their Emirates ID, an application fee of AED 200 is applicable. This fee structure comprises AED100 allocated for smart services, AED 50 for application processing, and AED 50 designated for e-services and federal authority charges.

Please note that incomplete or inaccurate documentation will lead to application rejection within 30 days. It will be rejected if an application is returned three times due to the same documentation issues. Refunds will cover only issuance fees and relevant guarantees in case of rejection, processed back to the original credit card within six months.

Processing period

The changes made will be reflected immediately. Applicants will receive a text message or email stating the same.

Offline

Documents required

For UAE nationals:

original UAE ID Card
supporting documents to validate data
a valid medical report from the Ministry of Health or UAE health authority to exempt people with determination or the elderly from ID card issuance fees.
Social insurance certificate attested from the Ministry of Community Development (for those benefiting from social insurance) to be exempted for the ID card issuance fees
original POA for the person acting on behalf of the customer, if the competent person is absent and the application is submitted by a third party

For UAE expats:

document proving residency in the UAE
original UAE ID Card
supporting documents to validate data
a valid medical report from the Ministry of Health or UAE health authority to exempt people with determination or the elderly from ID card issuance fees
social insurance certificate attested from the Ministry of Community Development (for those benefiting from social insurance) to be exempted for the ID card issuance fees
original POA for the person acting on behalf of the customer, if the competent person is absent and the application is submitted by a third party

Updating procedure

visit your nearest Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship branch.
fill out a form with your latest details and submit it along with all the required documents.
pay the application fee
proceed with biometrics (fingerprints, photographs etc)

Fees

The total fee for the Emirates ID is AED 370

Processing period

After successfully completing biometrics and verifying your documents, you will receive an SMS from ICP with the details about when and at which post office you can pick up your new Emirates ID. Go to the mentioned post office and collect the new ID card.

Any requested changes to the Emirates ID usually take two days to be processed.

Customer happiness center locations

In order to undergo this procedure, UAE residents and expats can visit any of the Customer Happiness Centers of the UAE ICP. For a list of all such offices in each of the emirates, please visit the official website.

Updating your Emirates ID mobile number

For your convenience, you can change the mobile number associated with your Emirates ID either through the official website or the ICP app.

Through the website

visit the ICP website
enter details such as your nationality, passport number, full name in English (it will automatically appear in Arabic), date of birth, last entry date (date when you last crossed the UAE border), and your current e-mail ID
on the next page, click ‘Edit mobile number’ and enter your latest mobile number with the correct country code
go through the application and review the details
pay the processing fee of AED 53 (USD 19.67)

Through the app

download the app on iOS (App Store) or Android (Google Play) and log in
under “public info,” you can find “update personal info”
enter all the required personal details
under “file type,” choose “residency”
under “ID type,” choose “Emirates ID”
enter your Emirates ID number, passport number, and email address
click “next” to find the mobile number used on your Emirates ID
change it to your latest number
send confirmation OTP
pay the processing fee and wait for a confirmation message via email or mobile number
the invoice will contain a reference number with which you can track the status of your Emirates ID

Entering Dubai with a new passport

If you have recently renewed your passport and are uncertain about the process of entering Dubai, especially in terms of updating your Emirates ID, we have gathered some essential information for you. This information is based on discussions with the GDRFA as well as the ICP.

With regards to the Emirates ID, it’s important to note that it is not necessary to update the passport number on it because this number isn’t included on the physical card. Additionally, any changes made to the visa are automatically updated within the ICP system. This means that even with a new passport, your current Emirates ID remains valid and up-to-date.

Furthermore, when it comes to entering Dubai with a new passport, the procedure is quite straightforward. During your next visit to Dubai, you will need to have both your old and new passports at hand when you approach the immigration desk. The immigration officer will stamp your entry on your new passport. Additionally, the officer will record in the immigration system that your passport has been updated. This ensures a smooth transition to your new passport.

You can continue to use your Emirates ID as usual.

Urgent update – FAWRI Services

If you have applied for a change in your Emirates ID and are looking to acquire one fast, the ICP provides an urgent service to provide you with a replacement within 24 hours. The service is known as ‘FAWRI’ and is available against the regular fees plus an urgent service fee.

To obtain this service, applicants can visit the FAIC Customer Happiness Center with no prior appointment and provide the aforementioned documents.

The following FAIC Customers Happiness Centres provide FAWRI services: