Emirates ID Guide

As we have already established, the Emirates ID is an essential part of the UAE residency documents. This means that if you are planning to become a UAE resident, this step cannot be dismissed. The Emirates ID has a built-in electronic chip, which stores the cardholder’s personal data, including a photo, fingerprints, biometrics and other basic details. This chip may save up to 32,000 letters of information being distributed for each individual. Each ID is assigned a unique 15-digit number, which is allocated to the holder forever. From this number, the owner is able to benefit from a number of governmental and non-governmental services, as well as private entity services.

Meanwhile, the validity period of the Emirates ID depends on the residency type. Currently, the rules are as follows:

To provide the highest level of security and accuracy, the Emirates ID consists of the following components:

The identification card also has the most innovative technology in the field of smart cards, including nine security features like line drawing, an ultraviolet link and accurate letters. An Emirates ID is aimed at protecting the cardholder’s identity and preventing identity fraud. In fact, the Emirates ID underwent a major transformation in the summer 2021 as part of a nationwide strategy to involve the latest technologies in recording population data. Residents applying for the Emirates ID or renewing the card can use a digital copy on the ICA UAE smart app.

Here are the five new innovative features of the document:

1) A consolidated 3D photo: a laser printing feature authenticated with a date of birth

2) Enhanced protection of non-visible data: reading through the E-link system with ICA

3) A high-quality card with a longer service life: using polycarbonate that will last over 10 years

4) Additional fields and codes definition: professional data, population group and issuing authority

New identification cards are issued for those whose ID’s have expired and those who have requested the replacement of lost and damaged ones. Meanwhile, the average waiting period to receive a card from the ICA is around 14 days. While the cards are printed out, citizens and residents can access a digital copy of their ID via the ICA app.

Whether you are an Emirati national or an expat resident, the Emirates ID is a vital part of your day-to-day life in the UAE. It is a legal requirement for all UAE citizens and residents (including newborn babies) to apply for the identification card and carry it at all times, with no exception.

There are two ways to start the Emirates ID application process:

Typically, it takes 5 working days to obtain the ID, however, there is also an urgent service to obtain one within 24 hours. Known as Fawri, this is available for UAE and GCC nationals of any age and can be obtained for lost or damaged cards, renewal and first time registration. At the same time, expats are allowed to use the urgent service only in case of replacement of their identity cards. This procedure has nothing to do with discrimination but is simply due to the renewal or issuance of the document as this is linked to proof of residency and associated procedures. The Fawri service is available at specific FAIC Customer Happiness Centers in each of the 7 emirates, the full list of which can be found on the official portal of the UAE government website.

Note: The presence of children under 15 is not required at the processing center, and no fingerprints shall be submitted.

The required documents for an expat are as follows:

Below we have described the entire procedure of applying for an Emirates ID card from A to Z, so you will know what to expect:

Note: You are given 90 days to collect the ID, otherwise it will be sent back to the Emirates Identity Authority Office and discarded.

Below you will find the full details of the fees incurred for this process:

Important: Any newborn applicants shall be fined if the mother or father does not submit the application within 30 days from the day the child was born. The fine amounts to AED 20 (USD 5) every day of delay, up to AED 1,000 (USD 272).

According to the UAE Federal Decree No. 9 of 2006, every agency (be it private or governmental) is obliged to accept an Emirates ID when providing their services as a valid identification document. In other words, it is essential to have a valid Emirates ID even in the smallest of transactions. Let’s have a closer look at uses of the Emirates ID, besides basic identification:

If you have not obtained your identification card yet, you can present your passport as another form of identification. However, it will not allow you to prove your residency and gain access to the above-mentioned services. In this case, it is advised to apply for the urgent service to get an ID within 24 hours if you do not mind paying an extra fee. You should not have any major problems if you obtain the ID soon after your arrival.

One of the first steps to take when launching your business in the UAE is to apply for a business license. However, before making a trade license application, you must outline your business activity and your company name. The licensing procedures vary between the emirates and they also depend on the type of business you own, so it is advisable to research on your own before applying for a trade license in the UAE.

If you have lost your Emirates ID, or it has been damaged, you will need to request its replacement from the Federal Authority for Citizenship and Identity as soon as possible. Here is a step-by-step guide on the process:

Remember to bring your identification documents when reporting the incident:

According to ICA, a cardholder is obliged to report any changes in the details of the Emirates ID to the competent department within a month from the date of change. These include a marital status, profession, date of birth and any other data (visible or invisible) that the document contains.

Updating of the ID cannot be done online, as the individual is required to visit one of the Customer Happiness Centers with their original passport and Emirates ID card. The fees are as follows:

If you intend to cancel your UAE residence visa for the purpose of leaving the country for good or for the purpose of changing a job, you will have to hand over your Emirates ID card to the according General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs. In turn, the directorate will send the returned card to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, which had initially issued the card.