Last updated: 15 October 2026

Quick answer: The Emirates ID is the mandatory national identity card the UAE issues to every citizen and resident. To apply for a new Emirates ID, you need a valid passport, a UAE residence visa or entry permit, a recent passport-style photo with a white background, and (for most adults) a medical fitness certificate. You apply through the ICP Smart Services portal, the UAEICP app or an approved typing centre, pay the fees (about AED 100 for each year of validity plus a service fee), give your fingerprints at an ICP centre if asked, and usually get the card in 5 to 10 working days.

If you are moving to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or any other emirate for work, family or business, your Emirates ID is the most important document you will hold after your passport. You need it to open a bank account, rent a flat, get a SIM card and use UAE government services. This guide covers what the Emirates ID is, the documents required for Emirates ID, how to apply step by step, fees, validity, renewal and the features of the new Emirates ID card.

What Is Emirates ID?

The Emirates ID (officially the Emirates National Identity Card) is a government-issued smart card that proves your identity and legal residence in the United Arab Emirates. It is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) under Federal Law No. 9 of 2006 on the Population Register and Identity Card.

Key facts about the UAE Emirates ID:

• Mandatory for everyone who lives in the UAE. Both citizens and residents must get one and carry it at all times.
• 15-digit ID number. Every card has a unique number that starts with 784, the UAE's country code. The number stays the same when you renew.
• Smart chip. The card has an electronic chip that can hold up to 32,000 characters of data, plus your fingerprints, digital signature and authentication certificates.
• It replaced the visa sticker. Since 2022, UAE residence details are linked to the Emirates ID instead of a sticker in your passport. For many everyday purposes, the card is your proof of residency.
• First introduced in 2004. The current version of the card has been issued since 2021. Wikipedia covers its history.

What is the Emirates ID used for?

Do tourists need an Emirates ID?

No. Tourists and short-term visitors on a 30-day single-entry visa, a 60-day tourist visa or a 48-hour transit visa do not get an Emirates ID. Visitors use their passport and entry permit. You only need an Emirates ID once you hold a UAE residence visa, for example through employment, family sponsorship, investment, freelancing or a Golden Visa.

💡 Many people first come to the UAE on a visit visa, find a job, and then switch to residency. If that is your plan, start with our Apply Emirates Visa service.

Documents Required for Emirates ID

The exact documents required for Emirates ID depend on your status. The lists below show what ICP and authorised typing centres usually ask for in 2026.

1. Expatriate residents (employees, investors, freelancers)

• Original passport valid for at least 6 months
• UAE residence visa or entry permit (the e-visa issued by your sponsor)
• Recent passport-style colour photo: white background, face clearly visible, no glasses or shadows, taken within the last few months
• Medical fitness certificate, required for applicants aged 18 and above (Dubai Health medical fitness exam)
• Completed Emirates ID application form, filled in online or at a typing centre
• Sponsor documents, such as an employer's establishment card or trade licence (usually handled by your company's PRO)

2. Dependents (spouse, children, parents)

• Passport and residence visa/entry permit of the dependent
• Copy of the sponsor's passport, visa and Emirates ID
• Attested marriage certificate (for a spouse)
• Attested birth certificate (for children)
• Recent white-background photo

3. Children under 15 and newborns

• Child's passport and residence visa
• Birth certificate (UAE-issued for babies born here)
• Photo with a white background
• Parent/sponsor's Emirates ID copy

ℹ️ Young children usually do not need to give fingerprints. For newborns, apply for the residence visa and Emirates ID within 120 days of birth to avoid fines.

4. UAE nationals

• Passport
• Family book (Khulasat Al Qaid)
• Recent photo

5. GCC nationals living in the UAE

• GCC passport or national ID
• Proof of residence in the UAE, such as a tenancy contract or utility bill

6. Golden Visa holders

• Passport and Golden Visa approval or entry permit
• Photo and medical fitness certificate

ℹ️ The card is valid for the length of the Golden Visa, usually 10 years (or 5 years in some categories).

Pro tip: Keep clear scanned copies (PDF/JPG) of every document before you begin. Most rejections at ICP are caused by blurred scans, wrong photo backgrounds or an expired passport.

How to Apply for Emirates ID: Step-by-Step Guide

For most expatriates, the Emirates ID application is part of the residence visa process. Your employer or sponsor often starts it for you. If you apply yourself, follow these steps.

Step 1: Get your entry permit or residence visa approval

Your sponsor (employer, family member or free zone authority) applies for your entry permit or residency first. Without a valid visa file, you cannot apply for an Emirates ID.

Step 2: Complete the medical fitness test

If you are 18 or older, visit an approved government medical centre for a blood test and chest X-ray. Results are usually ready in 24 to 48 hours.

Step 3: Submit the Emirates ID application

Choose one of three channels:

1. Online: the ICP Smart Services portal (log in with UAE Pass)
2. Mobile app: the UAEICP app on iOS and Android
3. In person: an ICP-authorised typing centre. In Dubai, residency applications also run through Amer centres and the GDRFA Dubai.

Fill in your personal details, upload your documents and select the card validity.

Step 4: Pay the fees

Pay online by card or at the typing centre. You will receive a receipt and application number for tracking.

Step 5: Attend your biometrics appointment

If ICP asks for biometrics, you will get an SMS with a date and centre. Bring your original passport and receipt. Your fingerprints, facial photo and signature are taken in a few minutes. Applicants aged 15 and above must complete fingerprinting.

Step 6: Track and collect your card

Track your application on the ICP website or app. When the card is printed, it is delivered by Emirates Post or made ready for collection at a nominated centre, and you will get SMS updates along the way.

Step 7: Activate your digital Emirates ID

While you wait, you can usually see your digital Emirates ID in the UAEICP and UAE Pass apps. Many government and private entities accept it.

Total time: usually 5 to 10 working days after biometrics, and up to 2 weeks in busy seasons.

Emirates ID Fees in 2026

ICP fees are made up of the card fee, a service fee and smart government charges. The figures below were current at the time of writing. Always confirm on the ICP website before you pay.

Expatriates can use urgent 24-hour processing only to replace a lost or damaged card. It is not available for first-time issuance.

Emirates ID Validity

The New Emirates ID Card: What Changed?

The new Emirates ID (current generation, issued since 2021) is more secure and more useful than older versions:

• Polycarbonate body that lasts longer and resists damage
• Laser-engraved personal data and a 3D photo that make forgery difficult
• Residency information on the card. It replaces the passport visa sticker, so you can show the card as proof of residence.
• Upgraded chip with biometric data for faster eGate clearance at UAE airports
• Nine security features, including holograms and UV-reactive ink
• Digital twin in the UAEICP and UAE Pass apps that many entities accept as an official ID

How to Renew, Replace or Update Your Emirates ID

Renewal: You can renew up to 6 months before expiry. Expats renew together with their residence visa through ICP, GDRFA or a typing centre. If you renew late, a fine of AED 20 per day applies after the 30-day grace period, up to a maximum of AED 1,000.

Lost or stolen card: Report it to ICP within 7 days, then apply for a replacement online or at a customer happiness centre.

Change of details: Update personal details (new passport, name change, address, mobile number) within one month of the change.

Cancellation: Your Emirates ID is cancelled automatically when your residence visa is cancelled.

Common Mistakes That Delay Your Emirates ID

1. Uploading a photo with a coloured background or glasses. This is the most common cause of rejection.
2. Using a passport with less than 6 months' validity
3. A mismatched name spelling between the passport, visa and application
4. Missing the biometrics appointment. Rebooking can add a week or more.
5. Letting your visit visa expire while waiting for residency. If you need more time, use a 30-day inside-country visa extension or a 60-day extension.

How EmiratesVisitVisas Can Help

Most new residents first arrive in the UAE on a visit visa. EmiratesVisitVisas.com helps you get that first step right:

• Fast online UAE visit visas (30 and 60 days, single and multiple entry)
• Express visa processing for urgent travel
• 14-day business visas for job interviews and meetings
• A2A visa change and inside-country extensions
• Online visa status tracking
• 24/7 support from our Dubai team. Contact us any time.

Final Thoughts

The Emirates ID is your key to life in the UAE. Prepare your passport, residence visa, white-background photo and medical certificate in advance, apply through ICP Smart Services or a typing centre, and attend biometrics on time. Most applicants then receive their new Emirates ID within about a week.

Planning your move? Apply for your UAE visit visa today and let our team handle your first step to UAE residency.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information. Fees and requirements are set by ICP and may change. Always verify on icp.gov.ae or u.ae before applying.