Emirates ID Status - Check ID Card Status, Validity, Service Charge & More

Most Popular Credit Card in UAE

Every UAE citizen has a unique identification number, known as the Emirates ID, assigned by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA). They need to follow a specific process for applying, renewing, replacing or canceling it

Table of Content

What is an Emirates ID?
How to Check Emirates ID Status Online?
Things to Keep in Mind for Tracking Your Emirates ID Status
History of Application Log for Emirates ID – What is it?

The following article provides detailed information about the Emirates ID application covering everything you need to know about Emirates ID, including the steps to follow, documents to submit, charges to pay, and much more. Let us begin by learning what precisely an Emirates ID is and its features.

What is an Emirates ID?

The Emirates ID is an officially mandated identity card issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Basically, it is a unique 15-digit number on an electronic chip that holds your personal information along with your photo. In addition, the card also has your fingerprints for enhanced security purposes. In the UAE, it is mandatory that all citizens carry their unique ID cards (Emirates ID) at all times.

Here is how the validity of an Emirates ID works for different kinds of cardholders:

UAE Citizens – 5 to 10 years
Expat Residents – Based on the validity of their UAE residency VISA
GCC Nationals – 5 years

Features of an Emirates ID

Following are a few significant features of an Emirates ID card:

Identification Number - Foremost, this identification number entitles you to all sorts of benefits from the government, as well as other non-governmental organisations or corporations, if applicable. Over and above, the embossed 15 digit number on the Emirates ID card is unique to every Emirates Id cardholder. Recently, the government has unrolled a new generation card as well.
Increased Protection for the Non - Visible Data: Data will now be accessible through the E-link system. Besides, the Federal Authority directly administers the E-Link system for Identity and Citizenship. Additionally, a 3D picture using laser technology shall be used to show the cardholder's date of birth.
Inclusion of Extra Fields and Codes - The data that shall be included herein includes professional data, the Emirates ID authority responsible for issuance and administration, and the population group to which you belong.

How to Check Emirates ID Status Online?

Here is a simple three-step process to check the status of your Emirates ID card:

Step 1- You can visit www.ica.gov.ae (Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship’s official website) to check your Emirates ID application status. Click on ‘Check ID Status’ to proceed.

Step 2 - Enter your Application Number or Emirates ID number under ‘Check Emirates ID Status’ tab and click.

Step 3 - An ‘Application Information’ popup box will appear with application details and history mentioned on it.

Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship’s official website is your go to platform to check your Emirates ID status.

You can also call 600 522222, if you’re facing any difficulties in retrieving the current ID status.

Things to Keep in Mind for Tracking Your Emirates ID Status

You can remember the following while tracking your Emirates ID application status- The following are the tips to consider while checking your Emirates ID –

There are no charges for tracking Emirates ID.
The ID will be delivered to you in at most 5 business days from the application date.
If you have any confusion regarding the application status, you can call EIDA on 600522222.
In addition to checking the status of their Emirates ID cards, you can view your application history, which contains information like the date they filed, confirmed, printed, etc.

History of Application Log for Emirates ID – What is it?

The application history log contains –

Application Created – Once you fill out your Emirates ID application form, the status would be updated on the history log.
Application is Sent for Printing
Verification – The application will be checked by reviewing the documents you submit.
The Emirates ID card will be updated and printed.
The Emirates ID will be delivered to your neighbourhood's post office after it has been printed.

How to Apply for an Emirates ID in UAE?

If you want to Apply for Emirates ID, Follow these Steps -

Visit the Website: First things first, you need to visit the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) website to apply for an Emirates ID.
Fill the Form: On the website, fill up the application form by providing basic details like name, address, contact number, and more based on your preferences.
Provide Your Documents: Next, you need to upload the listed documents while submitting your application form to complete the application process.
Pay the Fees: You need to pay a fee of AED 100 for each year, depending upon the number of years your card will be valid for.
Get the Appointment: Once done, you will receive an SMS on the provided registered mobile number stating the time and location of the EIDA office you then need to visit.

If you want to apply for the Emirates ID offline, you can get the form from the office and submit the same with all the essential documents in the presence of one of the authorised representatives. Thus, this helps submit the Emirates ID application without making any mistakes. Thereafter, you will get an SMS from Emirates ID Authority notifying your Emirates ID application status. After receiving the SMS, you finally need to visit the post office mentioned in the SMS to collect your Emirates ID card.

How to Get an Emirates ID Within 24 Hours?

Luckily, Emirates Identity Authority enables the applicants to get an Emirates ID created just within 24 hours through a fast-track service called 'Fawri'. So, for any reason, if you want to get your Emirates ID card within 24 hours, you can utilise this service called 'Fawri' and get an Emirates ID card created on an urgent basis. However, if you want to get your Emirates ID card created within 24 hours, you need to pay an additional fee of AED 150; apart from the additional fee, the rest process is the same as mentioned above for the Emirates ID card application submission.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Emirates ID?

The duration for the Emirates ID card to get ready depends on the applicants' chosen mode of application. Usually, it takes the authority to provide the printed Emirates ID card within seven working after the application gets approved.

However, note that it is essential for expats to submit a residency visa first to get their Emirates ID card issued on time. Moreover, the applicants need to collect their Emirates ID from the post office address mentioned in the confirmation message sent by the authority. However, if they fail to collect the same within 90 days, the ID card will be returned to the source and made redundant.

Requirement of Emirates ID in UAE

People in the UAE need Emirates IDs for various purposes. For example, people in the UAE need to submit their Emirates ID as a mandatory document when applying for a-

Documents Required to Apply for an Emirates ID Card in UAE

Here is a list of documents required when applying for an Emirates ID.

Types of Cardholders	Documents Required
UAE Nationals	Family Book – Original A valid passport – Original and a copy of front and back side each Coloured passport-sized photographs with white background Birth Certificate/Father's Emirates ID – Original and a copy A valid passport of the sponsor – In the case of a newborn applicant Population Register ID number – In the case of a newborn applicant
Expats	A valid passport – Original and a copy of front and back side each Coloured passport-sized photographs with white background Residency Visa/Entry Permit – Original and a copy Birth Certificate/Father's Emirates ID – Original and a copy A valid passport of the sponsor – In the case of a newborn applicant
GCC Nationals	A valid passport – Original and a copy of front and back side each A valid GCC ID card – Original and a copy Coloured passport-sized photographs with white background Residency Visa/Entry Permit – Original and a copy Birth Certificate/Father's Emirates ID – Original and a copy A valid passport of the sponsor – In the case of a newborn applicant

Eligibility to Apply for Emirates ID

Note that possessing an Emirates ID is required for residents of the UAE, who are all entitled to obtain one

The Validity of an Emirates ID

The following is the Emirates ID validity –

The duration of an Emirates ID for UAE nationals depends on their personal preferences. There are two periods offered, one of which is five years long and the other is ten years long.
The Emirates ID's validity for expatriates is based on the duration of their residence visa.

Service Charge & Fee for an Emirates ID

Depending on the Emirates ID's validity and the type selected —new card, current card renewal, or replacement — different service fees are assessed.

For UAE or GCC citizens, AED 100 is payable for a new Emirates card or renewal of an existing card (validity for 5 years)
For UAE or GCC citizens, AED 200 is levied for a new Emirates card or renewing of an existing card (validity for 10 years)
For new cards or renewals of existing cards, expats are charged AED 100 (per year).

Depending on how the application is submitted, there may be additional charges. AED 70 is charged if the form is filed through a printing office, and AED 40 is charged if it is done online through the ICA website. This applies to residents of the UAE, the GCC, and foreign nationals.

Canceling Your Emirates id

Suppose you are planning to cancel your UAE residency VISA and relocate to a different country for business or personal reasons. In that case, you need to hand over your Emirates ID card to the respective General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs. They will further hand it over to the authority that issues Emirates ID cards, i.e. Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC). Thereafter, they will cancel the validity and deactivate your Emirates ID Card with immediate effect.

Related Link -

List of Emirates ID Center in UAE

Uses of Emirates ID in UAE

FAQ's

Q1. How can you check the validity of your Emirates ID?

Ans. You need to visit the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship website to check your Emirates ID status. Here are the steps you need to follow.

Visit the Website: You need to visit the official link of the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship website and go to the File Validity page.
Provide Your Details: Here, you need to provide details such as your Emirate Unified Number, Nationality, Date of Birth, etc., to proceed with Emirates ID status check.
Check Your Emirates ID Status: After entering all the required details, click on the Search button and check your Emirates ID status in just a few clicks.

How can you get a digital Emirates ID while you wait for your new card?

Ans. There are two ways for this process:

ICA UAE Smart App: The first option is to go through the ICA UAE Smart App, which is available on both the Apple as well as Android platforms. Once in the app, you can easily see how the new card looks, assuming that the issuance process has been initiated. It will include basic details about the person, including date of birth, gender, signature etc. Next, you can either go for the Emirates ID download option in a PDF format or opt for the QR code, which can be used by a service or a business for authentication purposes.
UAE Pass App: The second option is to get a copy directly from the UAE Pass App, which is also available on both the Apple as well as Google platforms. This copy is applicable for usage until the new card officially arrives.

Q3. What is the significance of the ID number in the UAE?

Ans. As per the official mandate, the Emirates ID number shall be registered in the population register system of the UAE. Further, the number is randomly generated, and it includes a four-digit part that may match the year of birth of the cardholder, although the same is not necessary.

So, the ID number is divided into four parts: the first three digits represent the international code of the United Arab Emirates, the third part shall include a series of seven random digits, and the final part shall consist of one digit, which indicates the verification number.

Q4. When can you renew your Emirates ID?

Ans. You have 30 days from the expiry date of Emirates ID for renewal. If you do not renew your card within the duration, you need to pay an additional AED 20 as late payment charges. The amount can go up to AED 1,000 if you do not follow the correct process and renew your Emirates ID card on time.

UAE Nationals can apply for Emirates ID renewal between one to six months before expiration. However, the expats can apply for renewal only after the Emirates ID card expires.

Q5. How much does the renewal of the Emirates ID cost?

Ans. For expatriate employees, renewal of the UAE ID card is AED 100 for each year that validity is sought to be renewed. Additional fees of AED 70 shall be charged in case the person opts not to do it online and does it in person. On top of that, visa fees shall be chargeable, ranging from AED 200 to AED 300, along with a service fee of AED 40.

In essence, the cost of renewing your Emirates ID depends on the validity of the Emirates ID, as well as the centre from where you are getting your renewal done.

Q6. What are the documents required for the renewal of the Emirates ID?

Ans. The following documents are required for renewal of the Emirates ID for expatriates, as well as domestic residents respectively:

UAE Nationals

Family Book – Original
A valid passport – Original and a copy of front and back side each
Coloured passport-sized photographs with white background
Birth Certificate/Father's Emirates ID – Original and a copy
A valid passport of the sponsor – In the case of a newborn applicant
Population Register ID number – In the case of a newborn applicant

Expats

A valid passport – Original and a copy of front and back side each
Coloured passport-sized photographs with white background
Residency Visa/Entry Permit – Original and a copy
Birth Certificate/Father's Emirates ID – Original and a copy
A valid passport of the sponsor – In the case of a newborn applicant

GCC Nationals

A valid passport – Original and a copy of front and back side each

A valid GCC ID card – Original and a copy
Coloured passport-sized photographs with white background
Residency Visa/Entry Permit – Original and a copy
Birth Certificate/Father's Emirates ID – Original and a copy
A valid passport of the sponsor – In the case of a newborn applicant

Q7. How long is Emirates ID valid for?

Ans. For domestic citizens of the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates ID shall be valid for a period of 5 or 10 years. In the case of nationals from the Gulf Co-operation Council residing in the United Arab Emirates, the validity period shall be for 5 years. Further, in the case of other expatriates from countries specifically outside the Gulf Co-operation Council countries, the validity period shall depend upon the validity of the residence visa that has been issued to them.

Q8. Is it incumbent upon employers to have to bear the transactional costs of the Emirates ID card of their employees?

Ans. There is no legal compulsion upon the corporations to bear the costs of application or renewal for their employees—however, some instances of public sector entities and private companies bearing the costs voluntarily.

What are the charges you need to pay for your Emirates ID application check?

You will not be charged anything to check the status of your Emirates ID.

What is the process to get your Emirates ID card replaced?

The following are the steps to follow for replacing your Emirates ID –

Report to the designated authority.
Apply for replacing the Emirates ID card.
Pay the required fees.
Collect your new card.

How to get the Emirates ID immediately?

Generally, you receive your Emirates ID in at least 5 working days. To get your ID within 2 days, you would need to pay AED 150 along with other fees.

How to collect Emirates ID from the post office directly?

To collect the card directly from the post office, you would need to submit the receipt you receive from EIDA centre, where you submitted the request form.

For how long is your Emirates ID going to be at the post office?

The ID will remain in the post office for 90 days. If you do not collect it within the set duration, it will be sent back to the EIDA centre where the card will be destroyed. Post this, you would need to request card replacement.

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