Emirates ID

Related eServices

Related eServices from Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship website

What is Emirates ID?

Emirates ID is an identity card issued by Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). It is a legal requirement for all UAE citizens and residents to apply for one and carry it with them at all times. The Emirates ID is used:

to get government services
to vote in the elections of Federal National Council
as a travel document for UAE citizens to travel within the GCC
as a document to pass through immigration gates at the UAE's airports.

Note: As per ICP, it is against the law to seize the Emirates ID card of other people. Companies are not allowed to withhold the Emirates ID cards of their employees or their customers and visitors. They are allowed to take the personal data on the ID cards. In case of violation, cardholders should refer the case to the judicial authorities.

Read Emirates ID card holder's duties.

Features of the Emirates ID card

The Emirates ID card consists of the following components which provide the highest levels of accuracy and security. The components are:

smart card
public key infrastructure (digital signature and authentication certificates)
fingerprint biometric.

Identification number

The identity card is featured for its identification number known as the identity number which sticks with its holder forever. By this number, he may benefit from all the governmental and some of the non-governmental and private entities services, which require the identity card as an evidence of who is accessing the service. The identity number is featured for its sole and un-repeated number. It includes 15 digits.

Electronic chip

It contains personal data of the holder. This data can be read by a machines built for this purpose and authenticate the user’s credentials. Some of these data are encrypted and only readable/writable/updatable by the authorized authorities in order to protect the privacy of data. This chip may store up to 32,000 letters of information.

Other technologies

The identity card has state of the art technology in the field of smart cards, including the accurate letters, ultraviolet ink and line drawing. It has nine security features which makes falsification of the card very difficult for such features excels the current used standards in many cards such as the banking credit cards.

Getting Emirates ID

You can apply for a new Emirates ID card through the website of ICP or through an accredited typing centre.

You might need to visit one of ICP's service centres to provide your biometric details.

Refer to the ICP website for the application process, documents required and fees for to be paid.

Next, track your Emirates ID application.

Emirates ID within 24 hours

ICP provides an urgent service for issuing the Emirates ID card within 24 hours.

The service is for UAE nationals, and GCC nationals residing in the UAE. It can be obtained for:

first time registration
renewal of expired cards
lost or damaged cards.

As for the expatriate residents other than GCC nationals, they are entitled to the urgent service only in case of replacement of their identity cards.

To obtain this service, visit the customer happiness centres of ICP and present the documents specified.

Renewing Emirates ID

The Emirates ID can be renewed either after its expiry or as early as six months before its expiry.

If it is renewed after one month since expiry, a late fee of AED 20 per day will be charged, up to a maximum of AED 1,000.

Individuals who have completed 15 years of age are required to complete the fingerprint and signature procedures through the ICP's service centres.

The Emirates ID is renewed by ICP, through customer happiness centres or the smart services system (website and the UAEICP application on Apple and Google platforms).

Check the service card for details about renewing the Emirates ID.

Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged Emirates ID card

If you have lost your Emirates ID card, or suspect it has been stolen, or it has been damaged, request for a replacement of Emirates ID card.

If you have lost your Emirates ID card, report the loss to ICP within 7 days from the date of loss.

Updating details on Emirates ID

The Emirates ID card holder must report any change in his/her personal details to ICP within one month from the date of change.

Update phone number and address with ICP.

Cancelling Emirates ID

Cancellation of the Emirates ID is linked to the cancellation of the residence visa. When a residence visa is cancelled, the Emirates ID is cancelled automatically as part of the process.

Residence visa cancellation is processed through:

General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs for Dubai visa holders, and through
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security for visa holders of other emirates.

The sponsor (employer or family sponsor) is required to submit the cancellation request. Once approved, the Emirates ID card is deactivated in the system.

If you are leaving the UAE permanently or changing your residency status, ensure that you cancel your residence visa and Emirates ID card through the entities mentioned above.