Emirates ID 2023: Everything You Need to Know About the Identification Card in the UAE

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Updated August 2023

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. 

Emirates ID latest news

As per the local media reports, UAE residents who are required to change any information on their visas can now do so online. Moreover, once a request for residence visa amendments is made, an application for Emirates ID replacement will also be created automatically.

Applicants who wish to avail of this service can log into the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) official website or the UAEICP smart app.

According to the reports, among the residence visa data that can be modified online are “personal information, profession, passport information, or nationality (in the event of obtaining a new nationality).”

To apply for the online service, residents are required to submit the following documents:

• coloured ID photo
• passport copy
• a request to amend the data signed by the sponsor
• copy of the Emirates ID card (front and back)

Furthermore, as stated by the authorities, a Dh200 fee must be paid to avail of this online service. However, in case an application is rejected due to insufficient details or any discrepancies, the payment will be refunded.

Emirates ID introduction

Since the UAE no longer requires visa stamping on passports, residents are encouraged to carry their latest version of Emirates IDs to prevent airport delays. 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 the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) and 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.

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UAE citizens and residents are obliged to apply for Emirates ID 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: 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 3: 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 4: Make the payment

The newly revised fee for an Emirates ID is AED 370. 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 5: 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 6: 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.

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.

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.

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.

• register and create an account 
• choose the ID Card Renewal Service
• submit the application and pay the fees
• 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.

For more details, please refer to our article below.

 

Emirates ID renewal from abroad

Individuals can now renew their Emirates ID outside the country through the UAE ICP smart app. However, it is necessary for Emirates ID holders to personally renew their documents using the mobile app.

To avail of this service, individuals can perform the following steps:

• open the UAE ICP smart app
• select the service for renewing ID cards from abroad
• submit their application
• pay the fees

Furthermore, the authorities emphasized the importance for Emirates ID holders to strictly follow the guidelines during the renewal process, particularly in regard to the specifications for the photographs.

Managing your Emirates ID

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 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).

As stated by the ICP, the Emirates ID data 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, if there is no change, the ID card and the population registry data must be updated.

Emirates ID number change

To change the mobile number associated with your Emirates ID, please follow the following steps:

• visit the ICP portal or use the UAEICP Smart App
• select ‘start service’
• fill in the application data, where applicable
• pay the service fee (if any)

Emirates ID cancellation

According to authorities, UAE residents who intend to cancel their UAE residence visa for the purpose of leaving the country or for the purpose of changing jobs are required to hand over their Emirates ID cards to the respective General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

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 initially 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. For the typing centres, it will take 5 days to complete the service after its requirements are completed. The followings are the EIDA centres and biometric facilities in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi

 

 

Dubai

 

Ajman

 

Ras al Khaimah

 

Fujairah

 

Sharjah

 

Emirates ID contact number  

For further assistance or inquiries, you can contact the ICP call centre at 600522222. The contact centre is available 24/7. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or communicate through other channels detailed here.