Emirates ID: Your Key to Services and Identity in the UAE

Are you going to move to the UAE soon and wondering what the Emirates ID is? If yes, then you came to the right place. This article is a full guide for everything you need to know about Emirates ID. 

Also if you’re already a UAE resident or citizen and have any inquiries regarding the Emirates ID, you will find all the answers below; just scroll down. 

• Emarites ID
• Emarites ID Registeration
• Importance Of Registeration
• Emarites ID Documents
• How To Get Emarites ID
• How Many Days Will It Take for Emirates ID to be Processed?
• Emarites ID Status Check
• Emarites ID Cost
• Insurance Service For Emarites ID
• Customer Happiness Centres Locations
• Validty Period for Emarites ID
• Emarites ID Renewal
• Emarites ID Stolen or Damaged
• Updating Emarites ID Information
• Changing the Mobile Number Linked to Emirates ID Online
• Getting Digital ID Online
• Canceling Emarites ID
• FAQs

1. What Is the Emirates ID?

Emirates ID is the UAE government’s identity card for its residents; all the country residents are obliged to apply for it through the responsible governmental entity which is the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security, referred to as (ICP)

You should always carry it with you as you might be asked to show it for identification or to get various services.

2. Who Should Register for Emirates ID?

All UAE residents should register for Emirates ID, including UAE citizens, GCC nationals, and expats. 

3. Why Is It Important to Have an Emirates ID?

The Emirates ID is important for many reasons: 

• Proving your identity 
• Getting all the governmental and non-governmental services
• Voting in the elections of the Federal National Council 
• Travelling to the GCC countries using it as a travel document (UAE citizens)
• Passing through the smart gates and eGates at different airports in the UAE. 

4. What Are the Needed Documents to Register for Emirates ID?

You can easily register for this document, but first you need to prepare the required documents. Whether you’re a citizen, GCC national, or an expat, check the list below: 

UAE Citizens 

• Original Family book
• Original passport
• Personal photo (4.5 x 3.5) with white background

GCC Nationals

• Valid passport
• For those over 21, a valid Gulf card 
• Under 21, a valid Gulf card for one of the parents
• Under 15, a birth certificate, the parents passport, or Emirates ID
• Personal photo (4.5 x 3.5) with white background
• A document proving your residency 

Expats

• Original valid passport
• Original residency permit or entry permit 
• Personal photo (4.5 x 3.5) with white background
• Under 15, a birth certificate, the parents passport, or Emirates ID

5. How Can You Get an Emirates ID? 

The process of issuing your Emirates ID is so easy and effortless. You can apply for it through the official website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) or at any authorised typing centre in your emirate.

There are different locations for the typing centres across each emirate; you can check their branches to find the nearest one for you. In addition, whether you’re a citizen, GCC national, or an expat, the process and steps of getting the Emirates ID are the same. 

Here are the steps to apply for your Emirates ID in detail:

• Apply through ICP’s official website or head to a typing centre with the needed documents 

• After submitting your application, you should pay the Emirates ID issuance fee

• Then you will receive an SMS confirming your request and informing you of the Emirates ID Authority that you should head to for the biometric verification

• For expats, when you complete the above procedures and your residence visa is stamped, your application will be processed

• Then you will get an SMS with an account number to check the status of your Emirates ID application online through ICP’s website

• When the ID is ready, the post office will send you a message to collect your ID from the branch mentioned in your application. 

6. How Many Days Will It Take for Emirates ID to be Processed?

The processing time to get a new Emirates ID card is from 5 to 10 working days. It may vary from one case to another. 

7. How Can You Check the Status of Your Emirates ID Application?

You can surely track the progress of your submitted application through ICP’s portal. It’s also available to check the status of your renewal, new Emirates ID, replacement, or information update requests whenever you want. 

Here are the steps for checking the status of your application:

• Open ICP website 
• Click on the Services tab, then Priority Services 
• Then ID Card Status 
• Afterwards, enter your Application Number or Emirates ID number (replacement or renewal cases)

Checking the status of your application is a hassle-free process that you can do whenever needed. Through these steps, you can also check the validity of your Emirates ID too. 

8. How Much Does Emirates ID Cost?

The cost of issuing the Emirates ID differs according to the validity period of the card and your residency status. Find below the total amount of issuing this card according to each residential option. 

UAE Citizens and GCC Nationals 

• AED 170 (valid for 5 years) 

The fee is divided into the service fee which amounts to AED 30, the printing office fee which is AED 40, and the cost of issuing an ID card for 5 years at AED 100. 

In addition, for UAE citizens, you can issue an Emirates ID with 10 years of validity; its total cost is AED 270; the cost of just issuing it for 10 years amounts to AED 200 without the printing and services fees.

Expats 

Expats pay AED 100 for each validity year in addition to the service and printing office fees; here is the total fee according to the validity period:

• AED 170 (1-year validity)
• AED 270 (2-year validity)
• AED 370 (3-year validity).

The fee of Emirates ID with 2 or 3 years validity is higher but it’s an effort saver as you won’t have to go through the whole process every year. 

9. Is There a Quick Issuance Service for Emirates ID? 

Yes, there is. If you’re in a hurry and urgently need to get your Emirates ID, there is a service called Fawri. This service enables you to get your ID within 24 hours; it’s valid for UAE citizens and GCC nationals in the following cases:

• 1st-time issuance 
• Renewal
• Issuing because of loss or damage.

For UAE expats, as their ID is linked to their proof of residency and such procedures, they can also enjoy this service but in the following case only:

• Replacement of their current Emirates ID

Fee

Fawri service (also known as Emirates ID urgent service) has an additional fee of AED 150. 

Process 

To apply for Fawri service you should head to any of the Customer Happiness Centres of ICP with the needed documents.

10. Where Are the Locations of the Customer Happiness Centres for Fawri Service?

There are various locations across the UAE at which you can apply for this outstanding service; find them in the below list:   

• Abu Dhabi
  • Al Jazeera
  • Khalifa City
  • Al Ain Centre, Al Ain City

• Dubai
  • Al Barsha 
  • Al Rashidiya 
  • Karama
• Ajman Centre 
• Ras Al Khaimah Centre
• Umm Al Quwain Centre
• Fujairah Centre 
• Sharjah Centre 
• Madinat Zayed (in the Western Region). 

11. How Long Is the Validity Period of the Emirates ID? 

The validity period of Emirates ID differs according to your residency status. Here is the validity time for each case:  

• GCC nationals: 5 years 
• UAE nationals: 5 years or 10 years 
• Expats: The validity of this ID for expats depends on the expiry of their residency visa.

12. How Can You Renew Your Emirates ID?

Renewing your Emirates ID card is a must once its validity ends. They send you an SMS when its expiry date approaches. 

In addition, you will get a grace period of maximum 30 days after its expiry date to renew it; if you don’t, you will be penalised as the Emirates ID expiry fine reaches up to AED 1000.

The Process

The steps, process, and needed documents for renewing your Emirates ID are the same as issuing it for the first time. 

Fees

The renewal fees of your Emirates ID whether for an expat, GCC national, or citizen is the same as the one for issuing a new ID.

13. What Happens When the Emirates ID Is Lost, Stolen, or Damaged?

You should surely request a replacement for your Emirates ID in case it’s lost, stolen, or even damaged. To know how to get a replacement for your ID, follow these steps:

1. Report the incident 

You should report the incident at any of the Customer Happiness Centres of ICP in order to deactivate it for lost or stolen cases; if yours is damaged, then you should bring it with you. 

You should also bring identification documents while reporting the incident; they are the main requirements during the process of replacing the lost or damaged Emirates ID. 

 Here are the papers you need for proving your identity: 

• UAE Nationals: Family book and original valid passport 
• GCC Nationals: document proves their residency in the UAE 
• Expats: Original passport with a valid residence permit stamp
• Below 15: the child’s original birth certificate and colored photo with white background

2. Apply for replacement 

This is through the ICP Customer Happiness Centres or their official website.

3. Pay the fees

The cost differs according to the place you submit your application; however, it’s the same amount for UAE residents, citizens, and GCC nationals:

• AED 300 (basic fee for the replacement of lost or damaged Emirates ID).

Additional fees according to the place are as follows:

• At typing centres: AED 70
• Through ICP website:  AED 40
• At Happiness Centres: AED 150 (for Fawri service).

4. Get your new Emirates ID 

After completing the above steps, you will get a text message from ICP with the status of your application and the estimated delivery date. It takes 48 hours from the time of submitting the replacement request.

Then you should contact Emirates Post to get the card once it’s available, after receiving the ICP’s message. 

14. How Can You Update Your Emirates ID’s Information?

You can easily update your Emirates ID information at any of the Customers Happiness Centres; it’s a mandatory thing whenever there is a change in your information whether address, marital status, or any other information. 

You have to do this within a maximum of one month from the date of the change. This is for everyone, including UAE citizens, expats, and GCC nationals.

15. How Can You Change the Mobile Number Linked to Emirates ID Online?

You can easily change the mobile number registered to your Emirates ID online through the ICP website. 

Here are the steps:

• Go to ICP website and open the online form for information update
• Fill out the form with the needed information as shown in your passport
• They will send an OTP to your new mobile number, which you should enter on the ICP website
• Afterward, review all your information to submit the form
• You will be redirected to the payment page where a fee of AED 52 is required
• Finally, you will receive a confirmation on your email and your mobile number will be updated within 3 – 7 days.

16. How do You Get Your Digital Emirates ID?

To obtain the electronic version of your Emirates ID, simply use the ICP mobile application. Here’s how you can do it:

• Log into the UAEICP app using your UAE Pass account.
• Navigate to and select the Emirates ID option.
• Choose your name to display your ID information.
• You have the option to download the digital version of your ID card onto your device for easy and convenient access.

This is how to get a soft copy of your Emirates ID soft on your smartphone as it’s a lifesaver to avoid any hassle.

17. Can You Cancel Your Emirates ID?

Yes, you can; if you decide to leave the country for any reason, you can cancel your ID by handing it over to the respective General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

The cancellation process of your Emirates ID is a quick and easy one so no worries. 

18. What Is the Responsible Entity to Contact if You Have an Issue with Your Emirates ID? 

The responsible entity is the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship; you can contact their call centre which is operating 24/7 to answer all your inquiries regarding the Emirates ID:

• Customer Care Toll-Free Number: 600 522222

The requirements for getting a new Emirates ID application, renewing, or replacing it are all elaborated in detail through this article. This is to help you enjoy your stay in the UAE and relish all its services with no worries.

After getting your ID, you will be able to get a driving license and other different services in the UAE

FAQs

You can also know more about the ownership Law in UAE on Property Finder in case you’re thinking of buying a house for permanent residence. 

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