Emirates ID

Emirates ID is the UAE Government-issued identity card for the UAE’s citizens and residents. It is mandatory for all UAE citizens and residents to apply for an Emirates ID.

What is Emirates ID?

Emirates ID is an identity card issued by Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security-ICP. It is a legal requirement for all UAE citizens and residents to apply for one and carry it with them at all times. The Emirates ID is used:

to get government services
to vote in the elections of Federal National Council
as a travel document for UAE citizens to travel within the GCC
as a document to pass immigration through the eGates and smart gates at several airports in the UAE.

Note: As per ICP, it is against the law to seize the Emirates ID card of other people. Companies are not allowed to withhold the Emirates ID cards of their employees or their customers and visitors. They are only allowed to take the personal data on the ID cards. In case of violation, cardholders should refer the case to the judicial authorities.

ID card features

The Emirates ID card consists of the following components which provide the highest levels of accuracy and security.

Smart card
Public key infrastructure (Digital signature and authentication certificates)
Fingerprint biometric
Identification number

Identification number

The identity card is featured for its identification number known as the identity number which sticks with its holder forever. By this number, he may benefit from all the governmental and some of the non-governmental and private entities services, which require the identity card as an evidence of who is accessing the service. The identity number is featured for its sole and un-repeated number. It includes 15 digits.

Electronic chip

It contains personal data of the holder. This data can be read by machines built for this purpose and authenticate the user’s credentials. Some of these data are encrypted and only readable/writable/updatable by the authorized authorities in order to protect the privacy of data. This chip may store up to 32,000 letters of information.

Other technologies

The identity card has state-of-the-art technology in the field of smart cards, including accurate letters, ultra-violet ink and line drawing. It has nine security features which make falsification of the card very difficult, for such features excel the current used standards in many cards such as the banking credit cards.

Getting Emirates ID

You can apply for a new Emirates ID card through the website of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security - ICP, or through an accredited typing centre.

You might need to visit one of ICP's service centres to provide your biometric details.

Emirates ID within 24 hours

Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security provides an urgent service for issuing the Emirates ID card within 24 hours. The service is known as ‘Fawri’ and is available against the regular stated fees plus an urgent service fee.

Renewing Emirates ID

The time limit to renew an expired ID card is 30 days from the date of expiry, after which late fines will apply.

Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged Emirates ID card

If you have lost your Emirates ID card, or suspect it has been stolen, or it has been damaged, you must soon request a replacement of Emirates ID card from Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security- ICP.

Updating details on Emirates ID

According to Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP), the Emirates ID card holder must report any change in his/her details of the card to the competent department in ICP within one month from the date of change.

Cancelling Emirates ID

Residents who intend to cancel their UAE residence visa for the purpose of leaving the country for good or for the purpose of changing jobs, are required to hand over their ID cards to the respective General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs.