The Emirates ID is the official national identity document issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) to all UAE citizens and residents. It is a smart card embedded with a microchip containing your biometric data, and it serves as your primary proof of identity for virtually every interaction with UAE government services, banks, healthcare providers, employers, and telecommunications providers.
Every person with a valid UAE residence visa, whether they are a UAE national, expatriate employee, investor, student, or dependent family member — is legally required to hold a valid Emirates ID. The ID is issued for the same duration as the residence visa: a 2-year residence visa generates a 2-year Emirates ID, a 10-year Golden Visa generates a 10-year Emirates ID. The ID cannot be issued before the residence visa is stamped, and it must be renewed at the same time as the visa renewal.
The Emirates ID number is a 15-digit unique identifier assigned to you for life. The format is: 784-YYYY-NNNNNNN-C, where 784 is the UAE country code, YYYY is your birth year, NNNNNNN is a unique sequence number, and C is a check digit. This number does not change when you renew your ID or change your visa, it is your permanent UAE identity number. It appears on your UAE residence visa and is required when applying for government services, filing tax documents, and opening bank accounts.
Emirates ID Application and Renewal Cost 2026: AED Fees
All Emirates ID fees are paid to the ICP at the time of biometrics registration or online application submission. The fee varies by residency category and urgency of processing:
| Emirates ID Service | AED Fee 2026 |
| UAE national (new and renewal) | AED 100 |
| Expatriate resident — 1-year visa | AED 100 |
| Expatriate resident — 2-year visa | AED 200 |
| Expatriate resident — 3-year visa | AED 300 |
| Expatriate resident — 5-year visa | AED 500 |
| Expatriate resident — 10-year (Golden Visa) | AED 1,000 |
| Urgent processing (24-48 hours) | AED 150 additional |
| Lost/damaged Emirates ID replacement | AED 300 |
| Late renewal fine (after expiry) | AED 20/month (citizens), varies for expats |
| Delivery fee (home/office delivery) | AED 20-40 (optional) |
The fee for expatriate residents is calculated at AED 100 per year of visa validity. A 2-year employment visa therefore generates an AED 200 Emirates ID fee. The fee is paid once at the time of application, not annually, and covers the full visa validity period. All fees are payable through the ICP portal, the ICP app, or at Emirates ID service centers. International credit/debit cards are accepted online but UAE-issued cards have fewer payment failures than international cards for ICP portal transactions.
How to Apply for Emirates ID 2026: New Application and Renewal Steps
The Emirates ID application process differs between a first-time application (new UAE resident) and a renewal (existing resident renewing their visa).
New Emirates ID Application (First-Time UAE Resident)
For a new UAE resident, the Emirates ID application is initiated as part of the residence visa process. You do not apply for the Emirates ID separately — it is linked to the GDRFA residence visa application and triggered automatically once the residence visa is stamped. The steps from the applicant’s perspective are:
- Residence visa is stamped in your passport by GDRFA (or free zone authority). This triggers the ICP Emirates ID application in the government system
- Attend your biometrics appointment at an ICP service center or an approved typing center. Biometrics include fingerprints (all 10 fingers) and a facial photograph. You must bring your original passport and residence visa
- Pay the Emirates ID fee online through the ICP portal (icp.gov.ae) or at the service center. For a 2-year visa: AED 200. For a 10-year Golden Visa: AED 1,000
- The Emirates ID is printed by ICP and delivered by post to your registered UAE address, typically within 5 to 7 working days for standard processing. Express 24-48 hour processing is available for AED 150 additional
- Your Emirates ID number is active in the ICP system immediately after biometrics, even before the physical card is delivered. You can use your ICP reference number for UAE Pass registration and most government services in the interim
Emirates ID Renewal (Existing Resident)
Emirates ID renewal occurs at the same time as your residence visa renewal. You cannot renew the Emirates ID without first renewing the residence visa, as the ID validity is tied to the visa validity. The renewal process in 2026 is largely digital:
- Renew your residence visa through GDRFA (for mainland employment or investor visas) or through your free zone authority (for free zone company visas). The visa renewal triggers the Emirates ID renewal in the ICP system
- Log into the ICP portal or ICP app using UAE Pass. Navigate to ‘Emirates ID Renewal’ and confirm your biographic details are up to date
- Pay the renewal fee. For a 2-year visa renewal: AED 200. The fee is the same as the initial application
- Biometrics are generally not required at renewal unless your biometric data has changed significantly (facial changes, injury to fingerprints) or if your original biometrics could not be properly captured. The ICP system retains your biometric data from the initial registration
- Your renewed Emirates ID is delivered within 5 to 7 working days for standard processing. Your old card is deactivated and should be surrendered to the ICP, though many service centers accept the old card as proof of identity until the new card is received
The Emirates ID renewal window opens 6 months before expiry. Renewing early does not shorten the new ID’s validity — the new expiry date matches your new visa expiry date regardless of when in the renewal window you apply.
Emirates ID and UAE Pass: How They Work Together in 2026
The UAE Pass is the UAE government’s national digital identity platform, and it is built directly on your Emirates ID. Your UAE Pass account is verified against your Emirates ID biometrics — you cannot create a verified UAE Pass account without a valid, active Emirates ID. Since 2022, UAE Pass has been the mandatory login method for most UAE government digital services, including ICP Smart Services, GDRFA, Ministry of Human Resources (MOHRE), and many municipality portals.
How they connect:
- Your Emirates ID number is your UAE Pass primary identifier. When you register for UAE Pass, you enter your Emirates ID number and the mobile number registered to that ID
- Biometric verification: UAE Pass identity verification uses a face scan matched against your ICP biometrics database. If the face scan fails repeatedly, you must visit an ICP or Emirates ID service center for in-person biometric re-verification
- Services unlocked by UAE Pass: Once your UAE Pass is linked to your active Emirates ID, you can access: ICP Smart Services (visa applications, status checks), GDRFA applications, TAMM (Abu Dhabi government services), MOL/MOHRE applications, bank account digital verification through UAE Pass-enabled banks, and UAE airport fast lanes at passport control
- When Emirates ID expires: UAE Pass access is restricted or blocked once your Emirates ID expires, because the ID underpinning the verification is no longer valid. This is an additional practical reason to renew your Emirates ID (and residence visa) before expiry — you lose access to government digital services, not just the physical ID card
For a complete guide to using ICP Smart Services and UAE Pass, see our separate guide, this blog focuses on the Emirates ID itself. The key practical point: apply for UAE Pass registration immediately after your Emirates ID biometrics, even before the physical card is delivered, using your ICP reference number.
Lost or Damaged Emirates ID: Replacement Process and Cost 2026
If your Emirates ID is lost, stolen, or damaged to the point where it is unreadable, you must apply for a replacement immediately. Carrying a valid Emirates ID is a legal requirement for all UAE residents — you are technically required to carry it at all times and must produce it on request from police or government officials.
The replacement process:
- Report a lost or stolen Emirates ID to the police (online at Dubai Police portal or at a police station for other emirates). You will receive a police report number, which is required for the ICP replacement application
- Apply for the replacement through the ICP portal or at an Emirates ID service center. Upload or present: your passport, your residence visa, and the police report number (for lost/stolen cases). For a damaged card, bring the damaged card itself
- Pay the replacement fee: AED 300 for a lost or damaged Emirates ID replacement. This is higher than the standard renewal fee and is non-refundable regardless of the reason
- Biometrics may need to be re-captured if the original biometrics on the ICP system are old. Otherwise, the replacement card is printed from existing biometric data and delivered within 5 to 7 working days
For damaged cards that are still partially readable (display is intact, chip functions): bring the damaged card to an Emirates ID service center. ICP staff will verify whether the damage qualifies for replacement processing. Do not attempt to laminate or repair the card yourself, this voids the card’s authenticity and will result in rejection at any card reader
A temporary Emirates ID certificate (valid for up to 30 days) can be issued at an ICP service center while the replacement card is being processed. This certificate can be used in place of the physical card for most day-to-day transactions.
How to Check Emirates ID Status Online in UAE 2026
Checking your Emirates ID application or delivery status takes under two minutes through either the ICP app or the ICP website.
- ICP App: Open the app and log in with UAE Pass. Navigate to ‘My Applications’ or ‘Emirates ID Status’. Your current status (Under Processing / Printed / In Delivery / Delivered) is shown with the tracking number for card delivery
- ICP website (icp.gov.ae): Under ‘Smart Services’, select ‘Emirates ID’ and then ‘Application Status Check’. Enter your Emirates ID application number or Emirates ID number to check status without login
- Amer Centers (Dubai) / ICP service centers (other emirates): Walk in with your passport and application reference number for in-person status enquiries
If your Emirates ID status shows ‘Delivered’ but you have not received the physical card, check with your building concierge or mailroom. Emirates ID cards are delivered by Emirates Post and require a signature, missed deliveries are held at the local Emirates Post branch for collection with a valid ID document.
Conclusion
The Emirates ID is the operational foundation of life in the UAE, without a valid Emirates ID, you cannot access government digital services through UAE Pass, renew your residence visa, open bank accounts, or sign leases. The 15-digit Emirates ID number assigned to you at first registration is your permanent UAE identity reference. Keep it valid, renew it early (the renewal window opens 6 months before expiry), and register for UAE Pass immediately after your biometrics appointment.
At Gulf Corporate Services, we assist with the complete UAE residency lifecycle including UAE residence visa processing, PRO services for ICP and government coordination, and guidance on UAE Golden Visa eligibility for long-term Emirates ID holders looking to upgrade to 10-year residency. Contact us for a free consultation.
FAQs: UAE Emirates ID 2026
Who needs an Emirates ID in UAE?
Every UAE citizen and every expatriate resident with a valid UAE residence visa is legally required to hold a valid Emirates ID. This includes employed expatriates, investor/partner visa holders, dependent family members, students on student visas, and retired residents. Visitors on tourist or visit visas do not receive Emirates IDs — the Emirates ID is issued only to those with a formal UAE residence visa.
How much does Emirates ID renewal cost in UAE?
Emirates ID renewal costs AED 100 per year of visa validity. For a 2-year visa renewal: AED 200. For a 5-year visa: AED 500. For a 10-year Golden Visa: AED 1,000. Urgent 24-48 hour processing adds AED 150. A lost or damaged Emirates ID replacement costs AED 300 regardless of the remaining validity period.
How long does Emirates ID delivery take?
Standard Emirates ID delivery takes 5 to 7 working days after biometrics registration. Express processing (24-48 hours to printing, then delivery) is available for AED 150 additional. Delivery is by Emirates Post and requires a signature. You can track your card delivery status through the ICP app or website using your application reference number. Your Emirates ID number is active in the ICP system immediately after biometrics even before the physical card arrives.
What is UAE Pass and how does it relate to Emirates ID?
UAE Pass is the government’s national digital identity platform used as the login for all major government portals. It is built on your Emirates ID — you register for UAE Pass using your Emirates ID number and the mobile number registered to that ID. UAE Pass verification uses a face scan matched against ICP biometrics. If your Emirates ID expires, your UAE Pass access is restricted. Apply for UAE Pass registration immediately after completing your Emirates ID biometrics, before the physical card is delivered.
What should I do if my Emirates ID is lost or stolen?
Report the loss or theft to the police immediately (online at the Dubai Police portal or at a police station). Obtain the police report number. Apply for an Emirates ID replacement through the ICP portal or at an Emirates ID service center with your passport, residence visa, and police report number. The replacement fee is AED 300. A temporary Emirates ID certificate can be issued at an ICP service center while your replacement card is being processed.
Can I use my Emirates ID to enter the UAE?
UAE nationals and GCC nationals can use the Emirates ID as a travel document to enter the UAE and GCC countries without a passport. Expatriate residents cannot use the Emirates ID as a travel document for entry — they require their passport with the valid residence visa. The Emirates ID is accepted at UAE internal checkpoints but not for international travel by expatriates.
What is the Emirates ID number and does it change when I renew?
The Emirates ID number is a permanent 15-digit identifier in the format 784-YYYY-NNNNNNN-C (UAE country code + birth year + sequence number + check digit). This number is assigned to you at first registration and never changes, regardless of how many times you renew your residence visa or Emirates ID. Your Emirates ID number is the same whether you are on a 2-year employment visa, a 5-year investor visa, or a 10-year Golden Visa.
About the Author
Adil Ahmad
Adil Ahmad is a government services and residency compliance consultant at Gulf Corporate Services, based in Dubai. He advises UAE residents, employers, and businesses on Emirates ID applications, UAE Pass setup, ICP portal navigation, and residence visa management. Adil writes to give UAE residents the accurate, practical guidance they need to manage their Emirates ID and digital identity correctly.
