UAE Emirates ID: How to Get It, Renew It, and Replace It

The Emirates ID is the most important document you’ll carry in the UAE. It’s your national identity card, your residency proof, your access to government services, and your healthcare identity card rolled into one.

Every UAE resident — expat or national, adult or child — must have one. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is the Emirates ID?

The Emirates ID is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP, formerly EIDA). It’s a smart card containing your personal details, residency information, and a chip with your biometric data.

You need an Emirates ID to:

• Open a bank account
• Buy or rent a SIM card
• Access government services (health insurance, driving licence, vehicle registration)
• Register your children at school
• Sign tenancy contracts
• Enter some government buildings
• Travel within GCC countries (Emirates ID accepted as travel document for UAE nationals and in some GCC states)

You cannot substitute it with your passport for most UAE domestic transactions. The Emirates ID is the primary document.

Who Gets an Emirates ID?

• All UAE nationals
• All UAE residents (expat employees, investors, family-sponsored dependants)
• Children from birth (parents apply on their behalf)

Tourists and short-stay visitors do not get an Emirates ID.

How to Apply for a New Emirates ID

New applicants (first-time residents)

Your Emirates ID application is normally bundled with your residency visa process. Here’s the typical flow:

1. Residency visa approved: Entry permit issued or status change processed
2. Medical fitness test completed: Blood test and chest X-ray at an approved DHA/DOH/MOH centre
3. Biometric appointment: You visit an approved ICP service centre (or registered typing centre) for fingerprint and iris scan
4. ID card production and delivery: ICP produces the card and delivers via courier (usually Emirates Post) to your registered address

You don’t need to do much here — your employer’s PRO or your company’s typing centre typically handles the registration. You just need to show up for the biometric appointment.

Timeline: Biometric data captured to card in hand is typically 7-14 working days.

Fee: AED 100 base fee plus service charges. Total typically AED 170-220 depending on the service centre used.

Important: You’ll receive an ICP status update via SMS. Once your application is registered, you can track progress via the ICP app or website.

Emirates ID Renewal

Emirates IDs expire at the same time as your residency visa. When you renew your visa, you renew your ID at the same time.

Renewal process:

1. Renew your residency visa through the usual process (employer, or self-sponsored for investors)
2. Emirates ID renewal is automatically triggered with the visa renewal
3. New biometric data is collected (some renewals skip this if fingerprints are already on file)
4. New card delivered within 7-14 working days

Renewal fee: AED 100 plus service charges (same as new application).

Expired Emirates ID: You have a 30-day grace period after your visa expiry before fines start. Don’t let it go beyond that — fines are AED 20 per day up to a maximum of AED 1,000.

Keep using your old card for most purposes while the renewal is in progress. Many government systems check the underlying visa status, not just the card expiry date.

Emirates ID for Children

Children born in the UAE or arriving with their parents on family sponsorship need an Emirates ID too.

• Under 15: fingerprints and iris scans are typically not collected (just photo)
• 15 and above: full biometric capture
• Children’s IDs expire with the parent’s sponsorship visa

Apply through an ICP service centre or authorised typing centre. You’ll need the child’s passport, birth certificate, and the sponsoring parent’s Emirates ID and visa.

Fee: AED 100 plus service charges.

Lost or Damaged Emirates ID

Report a lost Emirates ID to the police and get a case number. Then apply for a replacement.

Replacement process:

1. Visit an ICP service centre or apply via ICP Smart Services
2. Provide your passport, visa copy, and police report (for lost) or damaged card
3. Pay replacement fee: AED 300 (standard) or AED 150 if the card is damaged and you return it
4. New card produced and delivered within 7-14 working days

You cannot enter certain government buildings or complete some transactions while your replacement is being processed. Keep your passport and visa copy handy as temporary ID during this period.

Emirates ID for Babies Born in the UAE

Babies born in the UAE should have an Emirates ID within the first 120 days of life. The clock starts from the date of birth, not from when you get around to it.

The process:

1. Register the birth with Dubai Health Authority (or relevant emirate)
2. Apply for the child’s UAE birth certificate
3. Apply for an entry permit or visa for the child (usually done simultaneously with the birth certificate)
4. Apply for Emirates ID

Do this promptly — fines for late registration apply, and without an Emirates ID your child can’t access health insurance, school registration, or other services.

Digital Emirates ID (ICP App)

ICP offers a digital version of your Emirates ID via the ICP Smart Services app. The digital version:

• Can be used for most UAE government transactions
• Is accepted at some banks and service providers
• Includes a QR code for verification

Download the ICP UAE app from the App Store or Google Play. Log in with your Emirates ID number and phone number.

Not all entities accept the digital version — some still require the physical card. But for everyday digital interactions (government portals, some private sector services), it’s convenient.

Key ICP Service Centres

ICP has service centres across all emirates. You can also access many services through:

• ICP Smart Services: icp.gov.ae — online applications and status tracking
• UAE Pass: National digital identity platform used across multiple government services
• Authorised typing centres: Available in every emirate for in-person assistance

For appointments in Dubai, book via ICP’s online system. Walk-in availability varies by centre and time of year.

Quick Reference

What Comes Next

Emirates ID sorted, you’ll want to make sure your financial setup is in order. Most UAE banks require your Emirates ID to open a personal account:

Best UAE Banks for Expats in 2026

And if you’re on an investor or freelance visa, your residency route matters for understanding what your ID is tied to:

UAE Visa Types Explained