Whether you’re an Emirati national or an expat resident, an Emirates ID is a vital part of your day-to-day life in the UAE. With it, you may access government services and pass immigration at a number of airports in the UAE, along with a number of other things.
Here’s all you need to know about Emirates ID, how to apply for one, how to get a replacement ID in case it is lost, stolen or damaged, and how it can help you on your travels as a resident of the UAE.
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Emirates ID latest news
The UAE Identity and Citizenship Authority (ICP) have released a fresh Emirates ID registration form to the public. The agency is dedicated to providing applicants with smooth and effortless services, and the updated form reflects its commitment to this goal with its revamped appearance that matches the authority’s visual style. Additionally, the new form boasts several extra features, such as:
A QR code for tracking the application process
A section which contains the following procedure
The name and address of the company to which the card will be delivered
A QR code to access the Customer Voice Gateway, which is a channel to file a complaint
A QR code to let the applicants rearrange the finger appointment date
— Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security UAE (@UAEICP) February 28, 2023
Emirates ID introduction
Since the UAE no longer requires visa stamping on passports, residents are therefore encouraged to carry their latest version of Emirates IDs to prevent delays at airports. The Emirates ID now functions as proof of residency since the latest version of the card contains all the relevant details allowing immigration counters at various airports to read the data stored on the ID.
The Emirates ID is an identity card of the UAE’s citizens and residents. issued by Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) is a legal requirement for all UAE citizens and residents, including newborn babies. It protects the individual’s identity and facilitates identification and verification as per international standards.
UAE citizens and residents are obliged to apply for one and carry it with them at all times.
In general, the Emirates ID can be used for the following purposes:
mandatory ID card for all citizens and legal residents
identification and verification as per international standards
protect individuals’ identity
can be used to access secure eServices
provides identity information
prevents fraud and identity theft
portable personal database
Additionally, having an Emirates ID will allow you to fulfil various administrative requirements associated with utility services, bank account opening, insurance applications, and many others.
Aside from these, there are other functions of Emirates ID:
Residency proof
The Emirates ID has now replaced the residency visa stickers on passports, per the new circular issued by the ICA. The merging of residence and identity card applications in the UAE will help simplify residency services.
The Emirates ID will include details previously stored in the residence sticker and will have a service life of more than 10 years. Upon passing a medical test, residents’ visa status will be available in the Emirates ID. However, the Emirates ID may not be required to amend or cancel the visa data of the account of GCC nationals.
Airlines will now verify residency status through residents’ Emirates ID and passport numbers. Smart gates at any airport in the UAE will be accepting biometric passports. If a traveller is registered for the smart gates, they can pass through by simple face recognition.
Allows residents to travel to GCC countries
After being suspended for two years, residents can once again travel within the GCC using their Emirates ID. The reinstatement of the Emirates ID as a valid document for travel means that UAE residents will no longer need a passport to travel to neighbouring Gulf states.
Conversely, the UAE now also allows travellers from Gulf countries to enter its borders using only their national ID cards.
COVID identification
The Dubai Health Authority has just announced its partnership with Emirates Airlines to remove the need for UAE residents to present a physical negative test certificate or vaccine card in lieu of the Emirates ID at Dubai airport.
Residents will simply need to insert their Emirates ID into a card reader at the check-in desks, and their COVID credentials extending to the latest COVID test results as well as inoculation status, will instantly be verified. This latest feature is expected to significantly shorten the time needed to confirm all the necessary travel requirements of UAE residents.
Emirates ID application process
Step 1: Emirates ID registration
Please visit the ICP portal and use your email address to register for the UAE Pass account. You will also need to indicate your UAE phone number.
Step 2: Gather the required documents
For UAE nationals:
a recent photo meeting the requirements (see next step)
the original birth certificate for those under 15 years old
passport or UAE ID card of either parent (for those under 15 years old)
social insurance certificate attested from the Ministry of Community Development (for those benefiting from social insurance) to be exempted from the ID card issuance fees
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
the original POA for the person acting on behalf of the applicant, if the competent person is absent and the application is submitted by a third party
For UAE expats:
passport
the original and valid residency permit, a residency under renewal, or a valid residency for a person who had not renewed the ID card when the residency was issued.
a recent photo meeting the requirements (see next step)
the original birth certificate for those under 15 years old
passport or UAE ID card of either parent (for those under 15 years old)
the original diplomatic/consular card/membership card of international organizations for heads and members of diplomatic and consular missions and international organizations existing in the country
a valid medical report from the Ministry of Health or UAE health authority
the original POA for the person acting on behalf of the applicant, if the competent person is absent and the application is submitted by a third party
Step 3: Emirates ID photo size and requirements
As per the latest requirements by the ICP, the provided photo must meet the following:
image: high quality, recent, coloured, not older than 6 months (mm 40 – 35)
background: White
features: natural facial expressions (natural, not exaggerated)
head position: straight, not tilted, parallel to the photographic lens
eyes: open towards the camera and without the use of coloured lenses
glasses: acceptable as long as they do not obscure the eyes and do not reflect light
dress code: similar according to national dress or religious belief
resolution (pixels): at least 600 dpi without ink traces or shrinkage
Step 4: Emirates ID application
After filling out the application form, visit the ICP services and click on “Apply for a new ID card”. Enter all the required details carefully and correctly.
Step 5: Make the payment
The newly revised fee for an Emirates ID is AED 385. This excludes an extra fee of AED 150 if you choose a 24-hour issuance process.
You may choose your preferred method of payment as prompted by the system.
Step 6: Visit EIDA Branch
After the submission, you will receive an SMS informing you about the next steps. The message will mention an EIDA branch you must visit. You will have to provide your personal data, employer’s information, and biometrics (photo, fingerprint etc).
Step 7: Collect your card
After you pass all the procedures, you will receive an account number that will allow you to track the status of your application on the EIDA website. Once it is completed, your ID card will be sent to a local post office. You will receive an SMS from Emirates Post inviting you to visit your local post office and collect your Emirates ID. Make sure you carry your passport and Emirates ID application form.
Managing your Emirates ID
Emirates ID and visa stamping application
To obtain both the Emirates ID and visa stamp through the new unified process, you would need to visit the official ICP website or the UAEICP Smart App that you can download from the App Store or Play Store.
choose the ‘residence permit and Emirates ID issuance’ service from the list of services on your dashboard
enter the details in the application form. ICP advised residents to make sure that the data they enter in the application is correct to avoid any delays in processing the application. This includes details like the Emirates ID number, expiry date, mobile number, and email address
click ‘Submit’
review the details and confirm. You will then be asked to pay the fees. The cost of the process will vary depending on the duration of the residence visa which you are applying for
once you have made the payment, you will then receive your Emirates ID through certified delivery companies
Emirates ID status check
If you’re looking to check your Emirates ID status or track the progress of your Emirates ID application, you can do so at the ICP portal.
By inputting your PRAN number, you can learn about your Emirates ID application status and progress. If you’re looking to check your Emirates ID renewal or replacement application, simply input your ID number.
Emirates ID fine check
For the late renewal of Emirates ID, an AED 20 per day fine will be applied with a maximum of AED 1,000 (one thousand). You can check all fines on your Emirates ID from the Abu Dhabi Police official website. Follow the given steps mentioned on the website to check the fine.
Replacing lost or damaged Emirates ID
If you have yet to acquire your Emirates ID and are looking to acquire one fast, or if your Emirates ID has been stolen, lost or damaged, the FAIC 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 of AED 150.
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 renewal
For UAE nationals, the validity period of the Emirates ID is for 5 or 10 years. For GCC nationals residing in the UAE, the validity period is for 5 years. For other expatriates, the validity period depends upon their residency visa validity.
UAE residents, including UAE nationals, GCC nationals and other residents of the UAE, will need to mandatorily renew their Emirates ID card by following the required steps.
you will receive a text message confirming the successful submission of the renewal application
receive your card from an approved delivery company
The time limit to renew an expired ID card is 30 days from the date of expiry. If you exceed the allotted period without completing your Emirates ID renewal, a fine will be applied to you. To avoid this from happening, you can also choose a faster process of Emirates ID renewal by paying an extra AED 150. You will receive your new cards within 24 hours if you use this service.
Emirates ID detail change and update
The UAE digital government has clarified that residents and citizens will have to notify the 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.
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 UAEICP application (iOS,Android).
The Emirates ID data, as stated by the ICP, must be updated in case of marriage or regarding any changes in the wife’s last name (adopting a maiden name) for some nationalities. However, in case there is no change, the data in the ID card and the population registry must be updated.
Emirates ID number change
To change the mobile number associated with your Emirates ID, please follow the following steps:
The respective General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs will hand over the returned ID card to Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, which had originally issued the Emirates ID card.
Emirates ID centre and typing offices
Before you visit the EIDA centres below, please confirm beforehand if they have a biometrics facility there since some centres may not have said facility. The followings are the EIDA centres and biometric facilities in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi
Al Ain Phone 3 701 5000. From 7.00 to 20.00
Al Ghayathi Phone 02 495 7704. From 7.00 to 14.30
Al Jazira Club Phone 02 495 5821. From 7.00 to 14.30
Al Mafraq Phone 02 419 7729. From 7.00 to 14.30
Al Marfa Phone 02 495 7721. From 7.00 to 14.30
Al Quaa Phone 03 701 5090. From 7.30 to 19.30
Al Sila Phone 02 495 7732. From 7.00 to 14.30
Al Wahda Mall Phone 02 495 5700. From 7.00 to 20.00
Central Post Office Phone 02 495 7718. From 7.00 to 14.30
Dalma Island Phone 02 495 7757. From 7.00 to 14.30
Khalifa City Phone 02 244 5555. From 7.00 to 14.30
Khalifa Medical City Phone 02 495 5895. From 7.00 to 14.30
Madinat Zayed
02 419 7769. From 7.00 to 14.30
Mussafah Phone 02 495 5864. From 7.00 to 14.30
Sweihan Phone 03 701 5085. From 7am to 14.30
Dubai
Al Baraha Phone 04 383 2189. From 7.30 to 14.30
Al Barsha Phone 04 383 2222. From 7.30 to 14.00
Al Jafiliya Phone 04 383 2399. From 7.30 to14.00
Al Karama Centre Phone 04 383 2333. From 7.00 to 20.00
Al Lusaily From 8.00 to 14.00
Al Quoz 04 383 2282. From 8.00 to 16.00
Al Rashidiya Phone 04 284 5252. From 7.00 to 20.00
Hatta 7.30 to 14.30
JAFZA 04 383 2225. From 8.00 to 15.00
Knowledge Village Phone 04 383 2225. From 7.30 to 14.00
Muhaisnah Center Phone 04 383 2172. From 8.00 to 20.00
Ajman
Ajman centre Phone 06 748 4777. From 7.00 to 14.30
Medical Centre Phone 06 748 4777. From 7.00 to 14.30
Ras al Khaimah
Al Rams Phone 07 266 2338. From 7.00 to 14.30
RAK Centre Phone 07 202 6000. From 7.00 to 20.00
Fujairah
Dibba Al Hosn Centre Phone 06 507 3795. From 7.30 to 13.00
Dibba Centre Phone 09 201 7080. From 8.00 to 14.00
Fujairah Centre Phone 09 201 7000. from 7.00 to 20.00
Fujairah Centre Phone 2 09 201 7090. From 7.30 to 14.00
Sharjah
Al Dhaid North Phone 06 507 3784. From 7.30 to 14.00
Al Dhaid South Phone 06 882 2230. From 7.30 to 14.30
Al Rams Phone 07 266 2338. From 7.30 to 14.30
Al Ghubaiba From 06 575 9195. From 8.00 to 20.00
Al Hamriyah Phone 06 507 3790. From 8.00 to 15.00
Al Madam Centre Phone 06 507 3790. From 7.00 to 14.00
Industrial Area Phone 06 507 3797. From 7.30 to 14.00
Kalba Phone 06 507 3781. From 7.30 to 14.00
Khor Fakkan Phone 06 507 3761. From 7.30 to 14.00
Municipality Clinic Phone 06 507 3758. From 8.00 to 20.00
Sharjah Airport Phone 06 507 3758. From 8.00 to 20.00
Municipality Clinic Phone 06 507 3786. From 7.30 to 14.30
Sharjah Centre Phone 06 507 3777. From 7.00 to 20.00
Emirates ID call centre
For further assistance or inquiries, you can contact the ICP call centre at 600522222. The contact centre is available 24/7. Alternatively, you can send an email to [email protected] or communicate through other channels detailed here.
