Introduction
Just like we have Aadhaar in India, the UAE has the Emirates ID. Everyone living in Dubai (Emirati or not) needs to obtain an Emirates ID. This is linked to your job, banking and other crucial aspects of your life.
What Is Emirates ID?
The Emirates ID is an official identity card issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) to all UAE citizens and residents. This smart card contains a unique 15-digit identification number, biometric data, and a photograph. It is mandatory by law for all residents and citizens of the UAE to carry an Emirates ID.
Explore the key features of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card and how to apply for it.
Why is the Emirates ID card important?
The Emirates ID Card is a mandatory document and is important as it is used for the following purposes:
Getting access to government services like employment, healthcare and education services.
Participating in voting in elections of the Federal National Council.
Traveling to other Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries without the necessity of your passport.
Applying for a driving licence in any country within the UAE.
Accessing banking and financial services. An Emirates ID is a compulsory document in the UAE for opening your bank account and gaining access to other financial services.
Passing through the eGates and the smart gates in the immigration section in various airports in the UAE. It is also used to access certain government buildings.
Verifying identity in many transactions, ensuring the authenticity of the cardholder’s credentials.
Explore the features of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card and how to apply for it.
When can NRIs apply for an Emirates ID?
Your sponsor institution (employer, university, government, or other UAE guarantor) is required to apply for your Emirates ID alongside submitting your application for a UAE residence visa. If you’re applying independently as the owner of a property in the UAE, or as a “digital nomad” (“Virtual Work” category), or for your dependent family members, you will have to apply for the Emirates ID with your application for the applicable residence permit.
Hence the Emirates ID application for NRIs is integrated with the UAE residence visa application. The validity of the Emirates ID aligns with the duration of the residency visa, which is usually 1-3 years for a general employment-related application, and 5 years for the special “Green Visa” category. Additionally, the Emirates ID must be renewed along with the renewal of the UAE residence visa.
Also Read: Driving License in the UAE
How NRIs can apply for an Emirates ID card in the UAE?
There are a few simple steps to apply for an Emirates ID card. You may apply for it yourself online and pay the cost yourself, or you may also seek professional help, thereby saving your effort and time.
| Application Process | Details | Turn Around Time |
| Application for Emirates ID card | You may apply for your new Emirates ID card at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security website – ICP: https://icp.gov.ae/en/ or at Customer Happiness Centres located across the UAE or at accredited typing centres. | Submission of Application Online: |
| Payment of Fees | You need to pay the fees for the Emirates ID. The fees you need to pay are available on the ICP website. However, the fees vary as per the following factors:
| |
| Submission of Documents | Generally, you need to submit the following documents along with your application. In the case of online applications, you need to upload or attach scanned copies of these documents:
The exact documents available under different circumstances are available on the ICP website. If you are applying for an Emirates ID for the first time, you need to visit an ICP service centre to have your biometric data captured and your photograph taken. | Approval of Documents and your Biometrics: |
| Checking of Application Status | You may check the status of your application online from the ICP website. Your application number is required for this. | Processing of Your Application and Physical Production of Your ID Card: |
| Collection or Delivery | Once your Emirates ID card is printed, you will receive a notification vide a text message (sms) or email. You may collect your card from the Emirates Post Office you have mentioned in your application form. | Notification to Applicant for Collection or Delivery: Collection or Delivery: |
What are the fees and charges?
The fee for the Emirates ID will depend on the duration of the validity period for which it is issued. The “card issuance fee” is approximately AED100-150 for each year of validity. There is an additional ‘e-services fee’ of AED100 which is the application processing fee. If you opt for application through a typing center, there would be an additional fee of AED30 for their services. These are the fees at the time of writing of this article. This may change from time to time.
Also Read: Driving License in the UAE
Once the application is processed, the ID is issued within 5 days after completing all requirements. You can also track applications online with the tracking number you receive via SMS after application submission.
Urgent “Fawri” Service
A facility called “Fawri” (similar to the “Tatkal” service in India) issues Emirates ID within 24 hours for an additional ‘urgent services fee’ of AED100-150. NRIs in UAE can avail themselves of this urgent service only if their identity cards are to be replaced (eg. in cases where the ID is damaged, lost or stolen).
The “Fawri” service of the Emirates ID Card is available at all the Customer Happiness Centers of ICP:
Madinat Zayed, situated in the Western Region
Sharjah Centre
Khalifa City and Al Jazeera in Abu Dhabi
Al Rashidiya, Al Barsha as well as Karama in Dubai
Fujairah Centre
Al Ain Centre
Ras Al Khaimah Centre
Ajman Centre
Umm Al Quwain Centre
As the Emirates ID card's validity aligns with the residency visa's duration, maintenance and retention of residency status must be ensured. You can seek help from NRI residency advisory services for residency law compliance and navigating the complexities of maintaining residency status.
Who can help you with making an Emirates ID card?
In case you face any difficulty in your online application, you may visit a typing centre or a Customer Happiness Centre of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security – ICP. There are several such centres across all the 7 GCC countries. The ICP also provides help to applicants by providing support over the telephone via a customer service hotline and has a provision for support over email. The ICP also has a smart app to assist applicants.
How do you renew your NRI Emirates ID card?
You will be notified when your Emirates ID is due for renewal. Renewal applications are accepted from between 6 months to 1 month before the expiry of the Emirates ID.
Similar to the process for applying for a new Emirates ID, the process of renewal is linked to renewal of your residence permit as well. This would be done by your sponsor institution (employer, university, government, or other guarantor).
To apply independently (including for your dependents), you can submit the renewal application via the ICP website or a typing center along with the application for renewal of the corresponding residency visa.
The fees are similar to issuance fees mentioned above.
As before, you’ll be able to track your renewal application online with the help of the tracking number provided. You may need to visit an ICP Customer Happiness Centre to submit biometric data if needed.
Conclusion
Emirates ID is probably the most important document to be able to stay in the UAE legally and without worries.
