Emirates ID: Complete Guide for New Expats

Emirates ID at a glance: a mandatory smart ID card for all UAE residents on a residence visa, issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP, icp.gov.ae). You apply for it together with your residence visa, through the ICP website or smart app, an ICP service centre or an accredited typing centre. Total cost is approximately AED 200 (1-year), AED 300 (2-year), or AED 400 (3-year), plus the typing centre's service charge if you use one. ICP gives a completion time of 5 days; its urgent service (+AED 150) is open to expatriate residents only for replacing a lost or damaged card.

The Emirates ID is a mandatory identity card issued to all UAE residents and citizens by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Every expat on a UAE residence visa must apply for an Emirates ID and carry it at all times; the application goes in together with the residence visa. It is required for almost every official transaction in the UAE — from opening a bank account to registering a vehicle to accessing government services.

What is the Emirates ID?

The Emirates ID is a smart card containing a chip with the holder's biometric data — fingerprints, a digital photograph, and personal details. It serves as the primary proof of identity and residency in the UAE. Unlike a passport, the Emirates ID is issued specifically for use within the UAE and is accepted at all government offices, hospitals, banks, and telecom providers as valid ID.

The Emirates ID is issued by the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — the official government authority for identity documents in the UAE. The card is valid for the same duration as the holder's UAE residence visa — typically one, two, or three years for most expat categories, renewable alongside the visa.

About the New Emirates ID

Since August 2021 ICP has issued a new generation of the Emirates ID card with stronger anti-counterfeiting features; for residents it also shows the employer or family sponsor, the job title and the place of issue. Since 11 April 2022 it has replaced the residence sticker in the passport as the proof of residence. ICP kept the fee schedule unchanged and advised holders to keep using a valid older card until it expires and receive the new card at renewal.

Who Needs an Emirates ID?

All UAE residents on a valid residence visa are required to hold an Emirates ID. This includes employed expats sponsored by a company, family members sponsored by a resident, domestic workers, and self-sponsored residents on investor or freelance visas. UAE citizens hold one too: ICP issues it for five years to citizens under 21 and ten years to those aged 21 and over.

Tourists and visitors on a visit visa do not need an Emirates ID. Long-term residents on retirement visas or the UAE Golden Visa are also required to hold one.

Emirates ID Application: Step by Step

Step 1 — Residence visa application: The Emirates ID application goes in as part of the residence visa process, after the medical fitness test for applicants aged 18 and over; ICP's unified application covers the residence permit and the Emirates ID together. Your employer or visa sponsor typically handles this step. No residence sticker goes into the passport any more: since 11 April 2022 the Emirates ID is the proof of residence.

Step 2 — Submit the application: Applications can be submitted online via the ICP website (icp.gov.ae) or through an authorised typing centre. Most expats use a typing centre — they handle the form, payment, and submission for a small service fee. The ICP smart app also allows direct application from your phone.

Step 3 — Biometrics: You will be asked to visit an ICP service centre to provide biometric data — fingerprints and a photograph. Book the appointment and attend on time: ICP cancels an application whose procedures are not completed within the set period. Children under 15 are exempt from fingerprinting.

Step 4 — Card production and delivery: Once biometrics are captured and the application is approved, the Emirates ID card is printed and delivered to your registered address; you can follow the application's status as described below.

Emirates ID Requirements: Documents Needed

Documents vary slightly depending on your visa category. Your typing centre will confirm exactly what is needed for your specific case.

Emirates ID Fees

The base card fee is AED 100 per year of validity. Total costs including smart application and service fees are approximately AED 200 for a 1-year card, AED 300 for a 2-year card, and AED 400 for a 3-year card. The urgent service costs an additional AED 150 on top of the card fee and, for expatriate residents, covers only a replacement card. Fees are paid directly to the ICP at the time of application.

Emirates ID Typing Centre Fees and Charges

Typing centres charge a service fee on top of the official ICP card fee. ICP's current service pages do not list it, so ask the centre for its charge before you hand over your documents.

The typing centre charge covers form completion, document checking, photograph, and submission to the ICP. Always ask for a printed receipt that itemises the ICP card fee separately from the typing centre service charge so you know exactly what you are paying for.

How Long Does the Emirates ID Take?

ICP gives a completion time of 5 days for a new card, a renewal or a replacement, with delivery to your address on top. Its urgent service costs an additional AED 150 and is available only at ICP's service centres; expatriate residents, other than GCC nationals, can use it only to replace a lost or damaged card, which it issues within 24 hours.

How to Track Your Emirates ID Application

You can track your Emirates ID application status online at icp.gov.ae using your application number, or your Emirates ID number for a renewal or replacement. The ICP smart app also provides real-time status updates.

Where to Apply — Typing Centres vs ICP Direct

Most expats apply through a typing centre rather than directly through the ICP website. Typing centres are authorised service providers that handle the application form, document checking, and fee payment on your behalf. They are widely available across all seven UAE emirates — typically located near government offices, in commercial areas, and in residential districts.

Applying directly through icp.gov.ae or the ICP smart app avoids the typing centre service charge but requires you to complete the application form yourself. For first-time applicants unfamiliar with the process, a typing centre is the simpler option.

Emirates ID in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi residents apply through ICP's customer happiness centres in the emirate, the ICP website and smart app, or an accredited typing centre. The ICP fees, documents, and processing times are identical to the rest of the UAE — only the service channel differs. Dubai residents typically use Amer centres or accredited typing centres; residents in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain use private authorised typing centres or the ICP smart app.

Emirates ID Renewal

The Emirates ID must be renewed each time the UAE residence visa is renewed. The renewal process follows the same steps as the initial application — submit via typing centre or ICP direct, pay the card fee, and update biometrics if required. ICP's renewal terms require applicants aged 15 and over to complete fingerprints and a signature at an ICP service centre.

Renew before the card expires: once 30 days have passed since the expiry date, ICP charges a fine of AED 20 per day, up to a maximum of AED 1,000. Residents can renew from six months before the expiry date.

Lost or Damaged Emirates ID

If your Emirates ID is lost or damaged, you must apply for a replacement through the ICP website, ICP smart app, or a typing centre. The replacement fee is AED 300 plus the AED 100 smart-service fee (AED 400 in total). You must report a lost Emirates ID to ICP within 7 days of the loss.

Part of the UAE Expat Guide — see the full series for the rest of the relocation sequence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an Emirates ID in the UAE?

ICP gives a completion time of 5 days for a new card, plus delivery to your address. Its urgent service (an additional AED 150, at ICP service centres only) is open to expatriate residents only for replacing a lost or damaged card, which it issues within 24 hours.

How much does an Emirates ID cost?

The base card fee is AED 100 per year of validity. Total costs including smart application and service fees are approximately AED 200 for a 1-year card, AED 300 for a 2-year card, and AED 400 for a 3-year card. The urgent service, open to expatriate residents only for a replacement card, costs an additional AED 150.

How much do typing centres charge for an Emirates ID?

Typing centres charge a service fee on top of the official ICP card fee; ICP's current service pages do not list it, so ask the centre for its charge before you hand over your documents. Always request a receipt that itemises the ICP fee and the typing centre service charge separately.

What happens if I don't apply for my Emirates ID within 30 days?

For a new resident, the Emirates ID is no longer a separate application with a deadline of its own: since April 2022 it goes in together with the residence visa, and ICP requires the residence procedures to be completed within 60 days of entering the UAE, after which overstay fines of AED 50 a day apply. ICP's fine of AED 20 a day, capped at AED 1,000, applies to a late renewal (from 30 days after the card expires), to a child born in the UAE (from four months after the birth) and to personal details not updated within 30 days of a change.

Can I apply for an Emirates ID online?

Yes. Emirates ID applications can be submitted online at icp.gov.ae or through the ICP smart app. You will still need to visit an ICP service centre to provide biometric data in person. Alternatively, authorised typing centres across the UAE handle the full application process on your behalf.

Do children need an Emirates ID in the UAE?

Yes. Children on a UAE residence visa are required to hold an Emirates ID. Children under 15 are exempt from fingerprinting but must still complete the application and have their photograph taken. The card fee is the same as for adults.

How do I renew my Emirates ID?

Emirates ID renewal is done through the ICP website, ICP smart app, or a typing centre. Renewal should be done alongside your UAE residence visa renewal. You can begin the process up to six months before your current ID expires.

What is the fine for an expired Emirates ID?

The fine for an expired Emirates ID is AED 20 per day, capped at a maximum of AED 1,000; it starts once 30 days have passed since the expiry date. ICP charges the same daily fine for a child born in the UAE (from four months after the birth) and for personal details not updated within 30 days of a change. Renew before the expiry date to avoid penalties.