What Is Emirates ID and How to Get One

Emirates ID is a national identity card and an indispensable document for foreign nationals with resident status in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Without resident status, you can’t obtain an Emirates ID, which limits access to government services, registering a local phone number, opening a bank account, registering vehicles, and doing other important things necessary for a comfortable stay in the UAE.

You can apply for an Emirates ID as soon as you become a resident. The UAE offers a variety of residency options such as freelancer visas, investment visas, retirement visas, business registration visas, student visas, and work visas. If you have a work visa, your employer will handle the process of obtaining and renewing your Emirates ID on your behalf.

But if you choose one of the more popular residency options, such as an investment or a freelancer visa, you will have to apply for an Emirates ID on your own. This can be done at the Federal Authority for Identification, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Upon approval, you will receive a plastic card with a unique number, providing you with a high level of security in the UAE.

An Emirates ID card includes:

— a smart card,

— an encryption system (digital signature and authentication certificates), and

— a biometric fingerprint of the owner.

 

The ID contains essential personal data such as name, date of birth, gender, photo, nationality, and a unique 15-digit number. 

Note that an Emirates ID is required for all residents, including newborns, once a person becomes a resident of the UAE.

Why Do I Need an Emirates ID?

The Emirates ID is used throughout the UAE and is integral to daily life. Without it, you will have a hard time:

— registering with the EJARI rental market system,

— connecting utilities and the Internet to your property,

— opening a bank account,

— paying your DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) bills,

— registering a car,

— paying fines, and much more.

Following the UAE Federal Law No. 9 of 2006 on Population Register and Identity Card, all establishments within the UAE recognize Emirates ID cards as official identification.

 

Having an Emirates ID and a resident visa brings extra benefits. For instance:

— You can use dedicated gates at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports to avoid queues.

— You can request your credit report from Al Etihad Credit Bureau customer service centers.

— With an Emirates ID and resident visa, you can get a US visa, open a Schengen visa, and travel freely in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries without a visa.

 

The Emirates ID also serves as proof of residence and allows immigration officials at airports to access necessary information quickly. Your UAE visa is linked to your Emirates ID, so you don’t need to carry your passport with a visa sticker with you all the time. 

Applying for an Emirates ID

You can do so by going to a typing center, visiting a customer happiness center, or using the ICP website. Let’s take the latter as an example:

1. Create a UAE Pass account. You will need to provide the phone number of your local UAE operator.

2. Prepare the following documents:

— Valid passport

— Residence permit

— A photograph that meets the ICP requirements

— Passport or ID card of a parent (for applicants under 15 years)

— Birth certificate (for applicants under 15 years)

According to the latest ICP requirements, the photo must be of high quality (at least 600 dpi), in color, taken no more than 6 months before the application submission, and sized 4.5 x 3.5 cm. The background must be white, facial expressions must be natural, and the head must be in a straight position.

Eyes should be open. Colored contact lenses are not permitted but ordinary glasses are acceptable if they don’t obscure the eyes. It is recommended to dress in national or formal clothing appropriate to your culture when being photographed.

3. Complete and submit the application form through the ICP website.

4. Pay the required fees. The amount varies based on the validity period of your Emirates ID. As of late 2024, fees start from AED 280 (USD 77), including AED 100 for card issuance for 5 years, AED 150 service fee, and AED 30 for typing center services. The system will offer you a convenient payment method.

5. After you submit your application, you will receive an SMS or email detailing the process. The message will specify an authorized typing center or Emirates ID service center. This is where you will provide your fingerprints and signature.

6. Once the process is complete, you will receive an application number to track the status of your application. Typically within five days after approval, you will receive your Emirates ID through delivery or at the authorized center. Remember to bring your passport if visiting the center.

Once your Emirates ID has been issued, you can also apply for cards for your dependents (spouse or children) via the ICP website or the ICP UAE Smart app.

The Emirates ID registration form includes several handy features:

— A QR code for tracking application status

— A field for entering the details of the company where the ID will be delivered

— A QR code to access the Customer Voice Gateway, allowing you to file a complaint if necessary

— A QR code allowing you to change your appointment date for biometric submissions

 

Until you receive a physical ID card, you can use the electronic version by downloading the UAEICP app and registering with your passport details, email, and the expiry date of your resident visa. Once you are all set up, the app will create an Emirates ID QR code that you can use at government offices and private companies across the country before you receive your physical ID card. This electronic version is issued free of charge and offers all the functionalities of a physical card.

You can also speed up the issuance of your Emirates ID using the Fawri service, which costs AED 150 (USD 41). However, this urgent service is only available for expats replacing their IDs. To use this service, visit a customer service center and provide the necessary documents.

In Dubai, the Fawri service is available at service centers in Al Barsha, Al Rashidiya, and Karama areas.

 

Renewing Your Emirates ID

The validity period of the Emirates ID is tied to your resident visa. Once your visa expires, you must renew the ID. Contact the authority where the card was issued. If you processed the card through the ICP, they will send you an SMS notification regarding the renewal.

Once your visa is renewed, your Emirates ID will also automatically update. But note that the validity of your resident visa is independent of the validity of your Emirates ID. If your visa expires, you must either renew it or cancel it.

Renewing an Emirates ID is a paid service. For residents and expats, the fee starts from AED 170 (USD 46).

If you fail to renew your Emirates ID within one month after expiry, you will have to pay a fine of AED 20 (USD 6) for each day of delay, capped at AED 1,000 (USD 272).

 

What to Do If You Lose or Damage Your Emirates ID

1. Report the incident to the nearest ICP service center. The staff will deactivate the lost ID. If you suspect theft, also report it to ICP. Request confirmation of your Emirates ID number or a copy if needed. If your card was damaged, bring it with you.

2. Pay the replacement fees:

— AED 300 (USD 82) for Emirates ID replacement, plus extra

— AED 70 (USD 19) if you apply through the typing centers or

— AED 40 (USD 11) if you apply via the ICP website

3. After payment, you will receive a new ID card within 48 hours. You will get an SMS from ICP when it is ready for collection or delivery.

 

If the lost ID belongs to a child under 15, the parent must also provide the child’s original birth certificate and a color photo on a white background.

 

How to Change Information on Your Emirates ID 

Emirates ID holders must report any changes in their details to the ICP authority within one month. Applications for changes or updates can be made through the ICP website.

Only authorized bodies have access to encrypted data and can make changes. But this excludes the phone number registered for your Emirates ID. You can change it yourself through the ICP website. To do this, complete the online update form and pay a fee of AED 53 (USD 15). The update will be processed within 3-7 days.

 

Canceling Your Emirates ID

If you plan to leave the UAE and cancel your resident visa, hand over your Emirates ID to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. The Directorate staff will transfer your Emirates ID to ICP for cancellation.

If you are considering obtaining a UAE visa and are unsure where to start, note that an Emirates ID is issued after you get a visa. Contact us to get answers to your questions and receive your visa and Emirates ID stress-free!