Documentation package
- Passport and residence visa.
- Photo 4,5×3,5 cm on white background.
- Persons under 15 years old — original birth certificate and one parent’s passport.
- Passport (persons under 15 — original birth certificate and one parent’s passport).
- Documents proving applicant’s residence address — Title Deed, rental agreement (Ejari).
- Original authorisation and a notarised power of attorney must be provided if the application is submitted by an authorised representative.
Operating procedure
Step-by-step instructions for obtaining an Emirates ID are provided below:
1. Filing the form
The applicant, provided the above documents are available, can fill the electronic form at one of the authorised centres or through the online form available on the website of the Federal Identification and Citizenship Authority (ICA). An SMS will be sent once the application is submitted.
2. Photo and fingerprints
The applicant will have to go to the designated authorised centre where his photo and fingerprints will be taken.
An SMS notification will be sent to the applicant’s phone when the card is ready and the card can be collected at the same authorised centre.
3. Getting an Emirates ID
An SMS notification will be sent to the applicant’s phone when the card is ready and the card can be collected at the same authorised centre.
Terms and fees
Usually, it takes 2−3 weeks to collect documents, prepare and submit applications. The resident visa itself, if you have not received it yet, is being prepared in 2−3 days. The plastic EID card is prepared within 5 days.
Registration fee — 450+ AED
How to cancel your Emirates ID?
Once your residency visa has expired (expiry date or expiry of the ground of issue) and you do not intend to extend it, you should surrender your Emirates ID to the GDRFA office.
As a general rule, your residency visa will be cancelled if you have not been in the UAE for 6 months or more. In such a case, you will need to obtain an entry permit and go through the visa application process again.