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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.
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.
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:
Following are a few significant features of an Emirates ID card:
Here is a simple three-step process to check the status of your Emirates ID card:
Here are the steps that you can follow to check your ICA Emirates ID status:
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.
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.
Here is how the UAE Nationals, Expats, and GCC Nationals can apply for an Emirates ID card:
If you are a UAE resident, follow the given steps when applying for an Emirates ID online or offline:
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.
If you are an Expat in the UAE, here are the steps that you need to follow when applying for an Emirates ID online or offline:
However, you can also get the form at the office if you want to submit your Emirates ID application offline. In the offline process of applying for the Emirates ID card, make sure that you carry and submit all the essential documents to streamline the entire application process without any mistake.
After submitting your documents, you will get an SMS from Emirates ID Authority notifying your Emirates ID application status. Based on that status, finally, you need to visit the post office mentioned in the SMS to collect your Emirates ID card.
If you are a GCC National, here are the steps that you need to follow when applying for an Emirates ID online or offline:
The points mentioned above state the online process to apply for the Emirates ID if you are a GCC National. However, apart from the online process, you can also apply for an Emirates ID card offline as a GCC National. So, to avoid the online process, you need to visit the Emirates ID office and fill out the Emirates ID application form. Also, you need to provide the necessary documents along with a filled-out form to complete the application process. Once done, you will get an SMS with the confirmation for the application submission.
Thereafter, another SMS will be sent to you by the authority notifying your Emirates ID application status. Finally, you need to visit the post office mentioned in the SMS to collect your Emirates ID card.
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-
Here is a list of documents required when applying for an Emirates ID.
Types of Cardholders |
Documents Required |
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UAE Nationals |
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Expats |
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GCC Nationals |
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Hey! Are you stressing about how to renew your Emirates ID Card? Worry not as renewing your Emirates ID card is done with the greatest ease and within a few steps:
Firstly, note that you have a time of 30 days from the expiry date of Emirates ID for the renewal. In case you do not renew your Emirates ID card within the set duration, you'll need to pay an additional AED 20 as late payment charges. However, 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.
Furthermore, UAE Nationals can apply for the Emirates ID renewal between one to six months before the expiration date. However, the expats can apply for renewal only after the Emirates ID card expires. Moving forward, the process for Emirates ID renewal is almost the same as applying for a new Emirates ID card. Firstly, you need to submit the same set of documents for the renewal as you did at the time of the first-time application. Apart from that, you also need to submit the old Emirates ID card when applying for the renewal.
Finally, to check your Emirates ID renewal status, you can contact the Emirates ID authority contact number or visit one of the Emirates ID centres to check for the renewal of your Emirates ID.
The charges for the Emirates ID renewal varies depending on the duration of validity chosen by the applicant. Check below the cost of renewal with various validity options:
Until now, the process for the Emirates ID was available both in the online and offline modes. However, the cardholders cannot update their Emirates ID card details online. Moreover, they need to inform the ICA within 30 days of the change in data and visit the ICA's Emirates ID Centre to update their details with ease. In addition, they need to carry their passport and a valid Emirates ID for the purpose of verification.
Follow the given steps to replace a stolen, damaged, or lost Emirates ID card in UAE:
Here is a list of documents required when applying for an Emirates ID replacement:
Types of Cardholders |
Documents Required |
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UAE Nationals |
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Expats |
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GCC Nationals |
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The charges for Emirates ID card replacement vary depending on the mode of application the cardholder has used for the replacement:
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
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.
Ans. There are two ways for this process:
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.
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.
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.
Ans. The following documents are required for renewal of the Emirates ID for expatriates, as well as domestic residents respectively:
Expats
A valid passport – Original and a copy of front and back side each
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.
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.