ICA Emirates ID Update: Complete Guide on How to Update Your Emirates ID Card Details Through ICA

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Updated August 2023

The Emirates ID is the national ID card issued for both Emirati nationals and expat residents living in the UAE by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). 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

Emirates ID update UAE 2023 latest news

The UAE is set to roll out a significant update to the Emirates ID system, focusing on seamless identification management. The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (UAEICP) has unveiled a new directive that holds that any alterations to residency details will trigger an automatic request for an Emirates ID replacement.

As per local media reports, UAE residents requiring alterations to their visa details can now conveniently make these changes through online platforms with a simple and efficient process.

When a request for adjustments in residence visa information is initiated, an automatic application for a replacement Emirates ID will also be generated simultaneously

This progressive move underlines the UAEICP’s commitment to maintaining accurate identification records. Moreover, the streamlined process for adjusting Emirates ID card details is geared toward enhancing convenience for residents seeking modifications to their identification information.

As part of its ongoing efforts to embrace technology and enhance service quality, the UAE ICP’s latest announcement is expected to provide smoother experiences for individuals needing to update their Emirates ID information.

Emirates ID update through ICP

The UAE digital government has clarified that residents and citizens will have to notify the ICA (now operating as ICP) of any changes or updates regarding the data contained in their Emirates ID cards within a period of 30 days from the date of the change. This applies to Emirates ID cards issued to nationals and expatriate residents.

Dubai Courts have urged UAE residents to ensure that their Emirates ID information is up to date by visiting the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security. The court provides customers with a convenient way to update their IDs through the ICP website. The announcement clarified that keeping Emirates IDs current enables Dubai Courts to easily contact residents in the event of legal proceedings.

How to update your Emirates ID through ICA? 

The process of updating details on your Emirates ID depends on the type of information you want to amend. There are two types of details on your card: key and non-key details. 

Essential details such as your name, date of birth, and address are key details and can be updated only by visiting an ICP branch office. In contrast, non-key details such as your address, occupation and marital status can be rectified online without submitting any documents. 

Offline

Vital and basic details such as name, date of birth and nationality can be changed only if you visit an ICP branch office after gathering the necessary documents.

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 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 ICA 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.

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, applicants need to present the following documents:

• A colored personal photograph
• A copy of their 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.

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, your 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)

Screenshot © icp.gov.ae

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.

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 must visit the FAIC Customer Happiness Center with no prior appointment and provide the aforementioned documents.

The following FAIC Customers Happiness Centres provide FAWRI services:

• Al Jazeera and Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi
• Al Barsha, Al Rashidiya and Karama in Dubai
• Madinat Zayed in the Western Region
• Al-Ain Centre
• Sharjah Centre
• Ajman Centre
• Fujairah Centre
• Ras Al Khaimah Centre
• Umm Al Quwain Centre

Emirates ID update status

Stay in the loop about your Emirates ID application by tracking its status through ICP’s website. For more details about the process, refer to the informative article provided below.