Emirates ID – Everything You Need To Know About UAE ID Card

If you’re going to stay in the United Arab Emirates, you must need an Emirates ID as it’s the database of all your personal details, and you must carry it with you all the time while living in UAE. But you must be curious about what other features your UAE ID carries and how it can benefit you. It’s worth noting that whether you’re a UAE National, GCC National, or Expat, you must have a UAE ID Card.

Today, we’ll be exploring all the details regarding the UAE ID Card, how you can apply for it, and what features it carries. Everything you need to know about UAE ID cards can be found in this guide.

Let’s get started.

Emirates ID Card is a legal document issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security, and it is mandatory for all the residents of UAE. You must carry it with you all the time, no matter whether you’re an Expat, UAE National, or GCC National.

It holds all of your personal details and is proof of your identity. It comprises a unique 15-digit number, your ID photo, and an electronic chip that contains data about your biometrics. Also, explore how to check medical insurance status with Emirates ID.

Aside from identity, your ID card allows you to access various government and non-government services, which normally include applying for an internet connection or a new mobile phone, DEWA bills payment, traffic fines payments, opening a bank account, and vehicle registration.

You also need to have an ID Card in order to access the following services:

Important: The companies in UAE are not allowed to hold your UAE ID Card in any case. It’s illegal to hold the ID card as declared by the UAE Government. In case of violation, you can take your case to the Judicial Authorities of the UAE.

According to a new update by the UAE Government, all of the residents’ visas will be stamped into their Emirates ID Cards, and there’ll be no need to stamp the residency visas into their passports. This step is taken in order to ease the visa process for UAE residents.

Let’s have a look at the other features of the ID Card.

Every UAE ID Card comes with a unique 15-digit identification number, which will remain the same for one UAE citizen. It’ll serve as your unique identity and remain the same even after your ID card is renewed.

Your ID Card comes with an electronic chip that contains all of your personal data, including your biometrics. The machines installed by UAE Government Authorities are capable of reading your data from that electronic chip. It must be noted that they’re capable of reading that data only, which is needed, and the rest of your data remains safe. Your ID card’s electronic chip is capable of storing 32,000 letters.

Special technologies are used in the preparation of UAE ID Cards to make them the most secure cards ever. Nine security features are being used in the current making of ID cards; one of them is the use of UV ink.

It’s important to note that the ID Card application process is a little bit different for Expats, UAE Citizens, and GCC Nationals. Let’s have a look at all of them one by one.

If you’ve been hired by a UAE Company, then the company’s employer is responsible for applying for your UAE ID Card. You can apply for your E-ID Card either through ICP’s Customer Happiness Centers or by filling out and submitting your application online at ICP’s Smart Services website.

If you’re going to get an independent visa in the UAE, you can apply for your E-ID yourself, and you can also apply for your family member’s E-ID online.

In order to apply for an ID card, you need the following documents:

Also, have a look at Customer Happiness Centers in Abu Dhabi.

The fee for applying for a new ID card for Expats has been mentioned below.

For Expats

Service	Fee
Card Issuance for 5 Years	100 AED
Service Fee	150 AED
Typing Center Fee	30 AED
Applying for an Urgent ID Card (Through Fawri Service)	150 AED

The Expats can follow the below procedure to apply for a new ID Card.

You’ll receive a text on your registered mobile number along with a PRAN or IDN number with which you can check your Emirates ID Status and your expected delivery time. Once your card has been prepared and dispatched for delivery, you can track your ID card at Emirates ID Tracking. You’ll receive the text once your ID card has reached the nearby Customer Happiness Center. You can pick your card from there. You can also apply for a home delivery by paying an additional fee.

You can also apply for a new ID card at any ICP Customer Service Center and ask the ICP Customer Representative to fill in the application on your behalf.

You can receive your ID card within 24 hours in case of emergency by applying through FAWRI Service by paying an additional fee of 150 AED.

Being a UAE National, you can apply for a new ID Card by going to any Customer Happiness Center or visiting ICP’s website.

In order to apply for the new ID card, you must have the following documents:

The fee for applying for a new ID card for UAE Nationals has been mentioned below.

For UAE Nationals

Service	Fee
Card Issuance for 5 Years	100 AED
Card Issuance for 10 Years	200 AED
Service Fee	50 AED
Typing Center Fee	30 AED
Applying for an Urgent ID Card (Through Fawri Service)	150 AED

If you’re a UAE National, follow the steps below to apply for a new ID card.

Once reach the specified ICP customer service center, you’ll receive a text to pick up your card. If you fail to pick up your card within 90 days, your card will be sent back and will be made redundant.

If you’re a GCC National, you can either apply for a new ID card at the Customer Happiness Center or online at the ICP Official website.

You need the following documents if you’re a GCC National while applying for a new ID Card.

The fee for applying for a new ID card for GCC Nationals has been mentioned below.

For GCC Nationals

Service	Fee
Card Issuance for 5 Years	100 AED
Service Fee	150 AED
Typing Center Fee	30 AED
Applying for an Urgent ID Card (Through Fawri Service)	150 AED

If you’re a GCC National, follow the steps below to apply for a new ID card.

That’s all you need to do. You can pick up your ID card once it has reached your specified Customer Service Center. You’ll receive a text once it has reached the respective service center.

If you’re in a hurry and want to get your ID card within 24 hours, you can avail of the FAWRI service at the following Customer Happiness Centers for an additional 150 AED Fee.

If your ID has expired or is about to expire, make sure to renew your ID card within the grace period. Otherwise, you’ll be fined. You can apply for your ID card renewal by clicking the link below.

In case you lost your ID card, you can apply for a new one after registering a police report. In order to know what to do if you’ve lost your ID card, follow the below guide.

If you want to update any of the details on your ID Card or you’ve changed your mobile number, then it is important to update your number on your ID card, as well, as you’ll be receiving important messages and OTPs on your mobile number.

In order to update your mobile number, follow the below guide.

In case you wish to leave UAE, you can cancel your ID card. In order to do that, you can submit your ID card to the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFAD), and then the GDRFAD will hand over your ID card to ICP, and your ID card will be canceled.

Let’s have a look at the uses of your ID Card:

A complete guide on Emirates ID has been shared above, and you can find everything you need to know about UAE ID in the above-mentioned guide. Still, if you need any information, you can ask in the comment section.