As an ex-pat or Emirati national, you’ll need the Emirates ID as an essential part of your everyday life in the country. The government of the UAE issues the Emirates ID for the residents and citizens of the country. All citizens need to apply for the ID with which they can access the government services, pass immigration at different UAE airports, and several other things. Here, we have covered everything about the Emirates ID, where it’s used, costs, validity, renewal process, and cancellation. Let’s get started!
Emirates ID: What It Is and How It is Used?
The Emirates identity card or ID is a requirement for all the residents and citizens of the UAE. The Federal Authority for Identity Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security is responsible for issuing these cards to the citizens. The Emirates ID can be used for several purposes, as covered below.
- To use services offered by the government
- For voting in Federal National Council elections
- It is a travel document for the citizens of the UAE traveling in the GCC
- As a document used to pass the immigration at smart and eGates at different UAE airports.
Why is the Number on Emirates ID so Long?
The unique 15 digits of your Emirates ID represent essential information unique to you only. Here is the division of the number.
- 1st Section: This is the same for every card and represents UAE’s international code, 784.
- 2nd Section: This number matches your birth year. This, however, may vary for different cards.
- 3rd Section: This number is randomly selected.
- 4th Section: This is a single digit, a verification number ranging from 0 to 9.
Your Emirates ID number is uniquely yours and will always stay with you even if you aren’t a resident of the UAE anymore (cancel UAE residence and come back later). This number cannot be changed or amended.
How to Check Emirates ID Validity?
If you are unsure about the expiry date of your Emirates Visa or ID, you don’t need to worry. This is very common, and we assure you that you aren’t alone. However, you’d need to pay to check your Emirates ID card validity. None wants to get stuck in a foreign country with an expired visa/ID card. Well, the good thing is that there is a way out. You can check your Emirates ID card validity with a few simple steps.
- Visit the website of FAIC, Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship, www.ica.gov.ae.
- Once on the website, head to the section and check the ID status menu.
- Enter your Emirates ID or application number. Do not add the hyphen.
- Here, your application status or card validity will appear in the form of a popup box.
You can use either of the two ways to check ID card validity or status; by calling on 600 522222 to talk to the authority or by accessing the website of FAIC and following the step covered above.
Cost of Emirate ID
The cost of your Emirates ID will be covered in the UAE residence visa costs. These costs will differ based on your selected Emirate and issuing authority you choose. On average, the prices range from 2,500 AED to around 7,000 AED. The charges also vary based on the validity of the card. Here are the costs of the Emirates ID.
- 1-year validity – 170 AED
- 2-year validity – 270 AED
- 3-year validity – 370 AED
When applying for the Emirates ID, you should ensure your ID and visa validity periods are the same.
Your card should be ready within 7 to 10 days of your visa is stamped on the passport. You will get messages regarding the updates of the ID card issuance through SMS. as soon as it is ready, you can go to the listed Emirates post branches to collect it.
Emirates ID Renewal
Here are a few details about the Emirates ID Renewal process that you need to know about.
The validity of the Emirates ID for UAE nationals is between 5 to 10 years. For those GCC nationals who reside in the UAE, the Emirates ID is valid for five years. The other expatriates’ validity period varies based on their residence visas’ validity.
The time limit for renewal after the Emirates ID card expires is 30 days. For late renewals, fines of around AED 20/day are applied, with the maximum limit going to 1000 AED. You can view your fine on the official website if you have exceeded the date.
Updating Emirate ID Details
As per the rules of the ICA, Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, cardholders of Emirates ID are required to mention any changes in the card details to the ICA’s competent department within a month of the change of dates. To update, change, or modify any valid and existing ID card details, you must visit any ICA customer happiness center. Don’t forget to bring your Emirates ID card and original passport. You must remember that the ID card needs to be updated this way and cannot be updated through the online platform. This is applicable for expatriate residents and national’s Emirates IDs.
Documents Required for Updating Emirates ID
To renew your Emirates ID card, you need to follow documents as proof of your identity and support those changes you wish to make. Here are the documents based on different categories.
1. Documents needed for the UAE Citizens
- The original ID card of the UAE
- Supporting documents for updating data
- Ministry of Community Development’s social insurance certificate (those using social insurance) for ID card issuance fee exemption
- The acting person’s original POA on the customer’s behalf. In the absence of a competent person, the third party needs to submit the application.
- Ministry of Health of the UAE health authority’s medical report (valid)
2. Documents for Other Country Expats and GCC
- Necessary supporting documents for updating data
- Original diplomatic, consular card, an international organization membership card for consular missions, diplomatic, and international organization members and heads
- Acting person’s original POA on customer’s behalf. In the absence of a competent party, the third person should present the application.
- UAE health authority or Ministry of Health’s medical report (valid)
- Documents for proving the country’s residency
How to Renew the Emirates ID?
After the expiry of your emirates ID, the government of the UAE gives you a grace period of 30 days to renew your card. Through SMS, you will receive reminders regarding renewal. After crossing 30 days, 20AED per day is charged as a fine.
To renew your Emirates ID, start by completing the ID renewal form/application. After that, pay the fee for ID renewal. Your biometric data does not need to be updated any further. After completing the form, you must hand it to the free zone where your visa was issued initially.
In the case of a mainland company for visa issuance, you must submit the form/application to your immigration authority. After the process, your new Emirates ID card is issued and sent to a branch of Emirates post from where you can collect it.
What’s the Earliest Time for Emirates ID Renewal?
The UAE nationals can apply for the Emirates ID renewal between one and six months before the card’s expiry date. On the other hand, the residence visa holders in the UAE are only allowed to apply for the renewal process when the residence visa is reissued or renewed.
Losing the Emirates ID Card
If you lost your Emirate ID card, you must report the incident to the police station. Follow these steps below to get a new Emirates ID.
- Visit any police station nearby to report the incident.
- Here a report will be filed for which you need to pay 70 AED.
- Then get in touch with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and mention details about losing your card. This must be done within seven days.
- Next, go to any Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship office and place your order for a new card. You must pay AED 300 for the Emirates card and a 70 AED free for an in-person application or 40 AED if filling the application online.
- When your card is ready, you can pick it up from any post office in the Emirates.
Emirates ID: The Cancellation Process
If you think your situation is changing and want to back out, you would like to cancel your Emirates ID. There may be several reasons, including a job change, setting up a new Dubai business, getting a UAE residency visa, leaving the UAE, or changes in personal circumstances.
The Emirates ID card cancellation process is simple, just like any other process. You just need to hand in your card to the immigration authority or the employer when submitting your passport for cancellation of the visa.
