If you are a United Arab Emirates resident then having an Emirates ID is absolutely essential. The Emirates ID is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA). Rizmona has created this guide to help you how to apply, renew, or replace your Emirates ID. This guide will give you an in-depth understanding of the process, the documents required, and much more.
What is Emirates ID?
In simple terms, Emirates ID is basically an identification card for UAE citizens which is issued by the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship. The card acts as a ‘portable database’ and contains all the information relevant to the particular citizen. It is mandatory for every UAE citizen to apply for the Emirates ID and they should carry it with them at all times.
The Emirates ID card has a 15-digit identity number which is unique to every cardholder. The Emirates ID also contains an electronic chip with the cardholder’s personal information which includes his name, information, fingerprints, and other biometric information. The card also has a photograph of the cardholder to easily help identify to whom the card belongs.
Emirates ID and Why It’s Required
The Emirates ID is more than a simple legal identity card; it is also used to apply for numerous government and non-government services i.e. applying for a phone, an internet connection, opening up a bank account, having your vehicle registered, paying traffic fines, and much more.
The government not only incentivizes but also offers many benefits to cardholders. For instance, cardholders are able to use Smart Gates across the Dubai International Airport terminals. Having a simple Emirates ID card can help you skip the long queues and complete the passport process with ease. Similarly, a credit card report at the Al Etihad Credit Bureau customer service centers.
What is the Validity of Emirates ID?
The validity of an Emirates ID depends on the type of visa you have. Each different category has a different validity period, which is as follows:
- Expat Residents: Depends on the validity of the UAE residence visa
- UAE Nationals: 5 or 10 Years
- GCC Nationals: 5 Years
How to Apply for a New Emirates ID Card?
The process of obtaining a new Emirates ID card as an expat, UAE national, or GCC national is extremely easy. The process has been made simple so more and more people willingly apply for it and join the process of a true change within the UAE.
The first step is to know where to apply for the Emirates ID. The companies sponsoring new expats – apart from the GCC nationals – can apply for Emirates ID on their behalf. Another method is to complete an application through approved typing centers across the United Arab Emirates. Another alternative method is visiting the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) website and then applying for the Emirates ID card there. It is worth mentioning that in every process, once you have completed the process, you will be sent a confirmation message on the number you have provided on the application form. This is a key factor to mention that the information provided on the application must be accurate.
The expat residents can also apply for the Emirates ID for their dependents, which includes their spouse and children, and that too is done through the Federal Authority Identity and Citizenship website or the Smart App. This step can only be processed once you yourself have received your Emirates ID, which must be done through the typing center.
Documents Required for Emirates ID
One of the most important aspects of any process is the documentation; if you can provide good and complete documentation then the chances of your application being accepted are increased significantly.
In order to apply for the Emirates ID, here are the things you will be required as a UAE resident:
- Original passport
- Original valid residency or entry permit
The requirements for children who are aged 15 or below, the requirements have to be different as they do not own a passport or any other official documentation:
- Personal photo with white background
- Original birth certificate or father’s passport or Emirates ID
- Passport and visa of the sponsor of the applicant
- This step is only required for the newborns
Emirates ID Application for Expats
Emirates ID Application Charges for Expats
The Emirates ID application fee for expats is not fixed as it depends entirely on the number of years the card has remained valid. Typically, the authorities charge AED 100 each year; this does not include additional service fee charges for typing offices and Smart App.
Here is a complete breakdown of the charges that you will have to pay for the application process:
- Typing Centre: Extra charges will be AED 30
- ICA Website: Service charges will be AED 40
Emirates ID Application Process for Expats
If you are an expat and you are looking to apply for an Emirates ID as an expat then here are the following steps that you will need to follow:
As mentioned before, the expats applying for a new Emirates ID will need to carry out the process through a typing center.
- Go to an approved typing center and fill out the Emirates ID application form
- Have the necessary documents with you and attach them with the application form
- Pay the appropriate fees for the application and submit it
- Once the application has been submitted, you will receive an SMS
- The SMS will also inform you of the EIDA office you will need to visit for the completion of the process, which includes taking biometrics and the official photograph
- Once you have done that and your visa residency has been stamped, your application will then begin its process
- The account number will be sent through the SMS as well, which can be used for tracking your Emirates ID application status through the ICA website
- Once the Emirates ID has been created, another message will be sent to inform the application owner and it will be available for collection for the next five working days
- If you do not pick up the card within 90 days then it will be returned and made redundant
The process for applying for the Emirates ID for your dependent is also very similar; visit the FAIC website or the Smart App, fill out the application, and pay the fees online instead of visiting the typing center. After that, follow all the desired steps mentioned above.
Emirates ID for UAE Nationals
Similar to the process for expats, UAE nationals can also apply for the Emirates ID through the main Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship website or any approved typing center.
Documents Required for Emirates ID for UAE Nationals
The documents required for UAE nationals while applying for Emirates ID is as follows:
- Original family book
- If the child is a newborn then you have to make sure that his/her name is added to the family book
- This is only required if you are applying for the Emirates ID through a typing center
- Original passport
The requirements for newborns are a bit different because they don’t have an identification of their own. All children, which are aged 15 or below have the following requirement:
- Personal photo with white background
- Original birth certificate, father’s passport, or father’s Emirates ID
- Population Register ID number
- This is again only a requirement for newborn applications
Fees for Emirates ID for UAE Nationals
The Emirates ID application fees for UAE nationals are dependent on the length of the validity, which can range from five years to ten years on the application.
The fee for a 5-year validity Emirates ID card is AED 170 and the 10-year validity Emirates card is slightly more.
Emirates ID Application Process for UAE Nationals
Similar to the process we discussed for the expats, the Emirates ID application process for UAE nationals is very similar. Here’s the complete outline:
- The application needs to be processed either online through the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship website or through an approved typing center
- Either way, you will have to pay the required documents and pay the appropriate fees for the length of the validity chosen
- Once done, you will receive an SMS informing you that your application has been received. You will also be informed about the EIDA office you will need to visit to complete the application process
- Once you have visited the EIDA office for biometric verification along with other things, you will receive an account number through the SMS which can be used to track down the application progress on the ICA website
- You will then need to wait for the authorities to complete their end of the work and inform you once your Emirates ID has been created. You will have to visit the Emirates Post to pick it up within 90 days otherwise the card will be made redundant and you will have to repeat the entire process
The Emirates ID application for newborns requires the child’s name to be added to the family book, which is a mandatory step. You also have to ensure that it is registered with the Population Register. The rest of the process is very similar to the one mentioned above.
Emirates ID for GCC Nationals
Documents Required for Emirates ID Application for GCC Nationals
The GCC nationals can also apply for Emirates ID and in order to do that, they need to have the following documents in their possession for the application to start processing:
- Original passport
- Original valid GCC ID card
- Proof of residency within the UAE
- You can attach a valid trade license, a certificate to prove that you are studying in the UAE, an employment certificate, an attested employees agreement
- You can provide any document that proves that you are staying in the UAE
The application for newborns and all children aged under 15, there are some additional requirements:
- Personal photo with white background
- Original birth certificate, father’s passport, or Emirates ID of the father
Emirates ID Fee for GCC Nationals
The GCC nationals are issued a 5-year Emirates ID, which has the same application fee as UAE nationals. The fee is AED 170.
Emirates ID Application Process for GCC Nationals
The Emirates ID application process for GCC Nationals is the same as for UAE nationals. The government has done this to reduce the confusion during such processes, which not only provides an ease to the applicants but also to the authorities who are processing these applications.
How to Renew Your Emirates ID?
Each Emirates ID has its own expiry date, which is dependent on the validity of the card. For instance, UAE citizens and residents have 30 days from the date of expiry to renew their cards. Following this period, there is a fine of AED 20 imposed every day. The late fine can cumulate up to AED 1,000.
UAE nationals are typically required to renew their Emirates ID a month before the card expires. As far as the expats are concerned, they can only apply for renewal once their card has actually expired.
The process to renew the Emirates ID is the same as the application process as well as the service channels through which the application was first processed; through the ICA website or through typing centers.
Here are the renewal rates based on validity:
- 1 Year Validity: AED 290
- 2-Year Validity: AED 390
- 3-Year Validity: AED 490
Documents Required for Emirates ID Renewal
The documents required for the renewal of the Emirates ID are the same as the application process. The only addition to those documents is that you must also carry the old card while applying for the renewal process. This applies to UAE nationals and GCC residents.
For expats, instead of their entry permit, they will have to show their residency visa under renewal while applying for the Emirates ID card renewal.
Renewal Fee for Emirates ID
The Emirates ID card renewal fee is the same as the fee for first-time applicants; the decision to impose the same fee was done to simplify the process for both the applicants and the authorities. Since the first-time fee is dependent on the validity of the card, the same applies to the renewal process as well. Consult the prices mentioned above for further clarification.
Losing Your Emirates ID Card
The authorities have also given guidance if your Emirates ID is lost, or if it has been stolen or damaged. There are certain steps that you will have to go through if anything of that nature happens:
- The first step is reporting that your Emirates ID has been stolen or lost. The incident has to be reported to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Your card will be instantly deactivated.
- If your card is lost outside of UAE then you will need to float that information to the UAE embassy.
- The cardholder needs to then apply for a replacement card and pretty much follow the same process as before
- You will need to pay the fees again and your card will be issued again within 48 hours
Documents Required for Emirates ID Replacement Card
The following documents will be required when applying for the Emirates ID replacement card:
- Expat Residents: Original passport stamped with a residency visa
- UAE Nationals: Original passport, family book
- GCC Nationals: Original passport, unified identification number, original GCC ID card, and proof of residency
Emirates ID Replacement Fee
The Emirates ID replacement cost differs based on where the application is submitted. Here is the list of charges:
- ICA Website or Smart App: AED 340
- Typing Centre: AED 370
- ICA Happiness Centre: AED 490
Please Note: We do not provide any assistance regarding Emirates ID. Read more about our company and how we strive to bring business services to our clients.
