By Adil Ahmad, Business Setup Consultant at Gulf Corporate Services · Last updated
Summary
The Emirates ID, officially the United Arab Emirates identity card, is mandatory for every UAE citizen and resident. For expats, the ICP fee is AED 100 per year of visa validity, plus service or typing charges, so a 2-year card usually costs about AED 270 to 385 in total. This guide covers fees, typing charges, application, renewal, status check, UAE Pass, replacement and FAQs.
What Is the Emirates ID (United Arab Emirates Identity Card)?
The Emirates ID is the official identity card issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). It carries a chip with your personal and biometric data and a 15-digit ID number starting with 784, which stays the same for life.
For expats, the Emirates ID is now the main proof of residency. The UAE stopped stamping residence visas in passports, and the visa and Emirates ID are applied for and renewed together, as Gulf News explains.
You need your Emirates ID for almost everything:
- Opening a bank account
- Renting a home and connecting utilities
- Getting a mobile SIM and a driving licence
- Health insurance and hospital visits
- Signing in to UAE Pass and government services
- Registering a company or applying for a trade licence
Who Needs an Emirates ID in the UAE?
According to the official UAE government portal, it is mandatory for all UAE citizens and residents to have an Emirates ID and to carry it at all times. That includes:
- UAE nationals, including children
- GCC nationals living in the UAE
- Expat residents on employment, family, investor, freelance or Golden Visas
- Dependants, including newborns sponsored on a residence visa
Tourists and visit visa holders do not get an Emirates ID.
Emirates ID Fees: Cost for 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 Years
The ICP charges expats AED 100 per year of visa validity, paid once when you apply or renew. The figures below are approximate totals and can change:
| Card validity | ICP card fee (AED) | Typical total with service fees (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 100 | About 170 to 285 |
| 2 years | 200 | About 270 to 385 |
| 3 years | 300 | About 370 to 485 |
| 5 years (investor or Golden Visa) | 500 | About 570 to 685 |
| 10 years (Golden Visa) | 1,000 | About 1,070 to 1,185 |
| Lost or damaged replacement | 300 | About 370 to 485 |
UAE nationals pay a fixed fee for 5-year or 10-year cards. Late renewal costs AED 20 per day after a one-month grace period, up to AED 1,000.
Emirates ID Typing Fees and Charges Explained
Typing fees are the most confusing part of the cost, and they explain why two people pay different amounts for the same card.
- ICP card fee: AED 100 per year, the same everywhere
- ICP e-service fee: about AED 40 if you apply yourself online or in the app
- Typing centre fee: about AED 70, sometimes more, if a typing or Amer centre fills in the form for you
- Smart services and other fees: some channels add extra charges, which is why Gulf News reported a typing centre total of AED 385 for a 2-year card after a fee increase
- Delivery: a small courier charge for Emirates Post
Consultant tip: applying yourself on the ICP app is usually the cheapest route. Use a typing centre only if you need help with the form or your case is complicated.
Urgent Emirates ID Fee and Who Can Use It
ICP offers an urgent 24-hour service for about AED 150 extra. Under the official rules, this is open to UAE and GCC nationals for new cards and renewals. Most expat residents can use it only for replacing a lost or damaged card. For expats waiting on a new card, the digital Emirates ID is usually the faster fix.
How to Get a New Emirates ID: Application Steps
For new expat residents, the Emirates ID is part of the residence visa process:
- Enter the UAE on an entry permit sponsored by your employer, company or family.
- Complete the medical fitness test.
- Apply for the residence visa and Emirates ID together through ICP, GDRFA in Dubai, a typing centre or an Amer centre.
- Give your biometrics, which means fingerprints and a photo, at an ICP service centre if asked.
- Pay the fees and keep your application reference number.
- Receive your card by Emirates Post or collect it.
If you are setting up a business, your company sponsors your own visa. See our UAE residence visa service and our guides to mainland company formation and free zone company setup.
Documents Required for Emirates ID
- Original passport, valid for at least six months
- Entry permit or residence visa details
- Passport photo with a white background
- Medical fitness result, for new residents
- Sponsor details, such as employer, company or family member
- Birth certificate for newborns
- Old Emirates ID for renewals
Emirates ID Processing Time: How Many Days?
- New card: usually 5 to 10 working days after biometrics, sometimes longer in busy periods
- Renewal: often 3 to 7 working days once the visa is renewed
- Delivery: usually a few working days through Emirates Post
You do not need to wait for the physical card to use most services, because the digital Emirates ID appears in the UAEICP and UAE Pass apps once your card is issued.
How to Renew Emirates ID Online
For expats, the Emirates ID renews with your residence visa:
- Log in to the ICP smart services website or the UAEICP app with UAE Pass.
- Choose Residence Permit and Emirates ID Renewal, or the Emirates ID renewal service.
- Check your details and upload a new photo if asked.
- Pay the fee for the new visa period.
- Track your application and wait for delivery.
You can renew up to six months before expiry. After expiry, you have one month before the AED 20 daily fine starts. Dubai residents can also renew through GDRFA or Amer centres. Our PRO services team can handle visa and Emirates ID renewals for your staff.
Emirates ID Status Check and Expiry Date Check
- Status: use the ICP website or app with your application number, or log in with UAE Pass
- Expiry date: shown on the card, in the UAEICP app and in your UAE Pass digital documents
- Delivery: Emirates Post sends an SMS when your card is on the way
Digital Emirates ID and How to Update Emirates ID in UAE Pass
The digital Emirates ID lives in the UAEICP and UAE Pass apps. The National reported that services were told to accept the digital version.
To update your Emirates ID in UAE Pass after renewal:
- Open UAE Pass and go to Documents.
- Find your Emirates ID; the new card usually syncs automatically from ICP.
- If it does not, refresh documents or log out and back in.
- Share the updated ID with your bank, telecom provider or employer when they ask.
Remember to update your new Emirates ID with your bank and your mobile provider too, or your accounts may be restricted.
Lost or Damaged Emirates ID: Replacement Fee and Process
- Report a lost or stolen card to ICP within 7 days, and to the police if it was stolen
- Apply for a replacement on the ICP app or website, or at a typing centre
- Pay the AED 300 replacement fee plus service charges
- Give biometrics again if asked
- Use the digital Emirates ID until the new card arrives
Emirates ID Name Correction and Data Updates
You must report any change to your personal details to ICP within one month. Common updates include:
- Name correction or spelling errors: usually done with the residence visa record first, then ICP
- New passport: update the visa record, then the Emirates ID
- Mobile number and address: update online through ICP, usually free
Charges for name correction depend on whether a new card must be printed.
Emirates ID for Business Owners and Golden Visa Holders
For entrepreneurs, the Emirates ID unlocks almost every business step: opening a corporate bank account, signing leases and applying for licences. Investors and Golden Visa holders get cards valid for 5 or 10 years. Banks such as Emirates NBD and Wio ask for it at account opening. Long-term investors can explore the UAE Golden Visa, and you can plan visa and ID costs with our business setup cost calculator.
Common Mistakes with the Emirates ID
- Letting the card expire and paying daily fines
- Paying typing centre fees when the ICP app would be cheaper
- Forgetting to update the new ID with the bank and mobile provider
- Not reporting a lost card within 7 days
- Mismatched name spellings between passport, visa and Emirates ID
Expert Tip from Adil Ahmad
If you run a company, track every employee’s visa and Emirates ID expiry in one simple sheet and start renewals 30 days before expiry. AED 20 a day sounds small, but across ten staff it adds up fast and can block other services. If you are planning to move your business to the region, our company registration in Dubai and business setup in Saudi Arabia teams handle the visas and IDs as part of the setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Emirates ID cost for 2 years?
The ICP fee is AED 200. With service or typing charges, most people pay about AED 270 to 385.
What are Emirates ID typing charges?
Typing centres usually charge about AED 70 on top of ICP fees. Applying yourself on the ICP app is cheaper.
How many days does it take to get an Emirates ID?
Usually 5 to 10 working days for a new card, and less for renewals.
What is the late renewal fine?
AED 20 per day after a one-month grace period, up to AED 1,000.
Can expats get urgent Emirates ID service?
Mostly only for lost or damaged card replacements. Urgent new cards and renewals are mainly for UAE and GCC nationals.
How do I update my Emirates ID in UAE Pass?
The new card usually syncs automatically. Refresh your documents in UAE Pass if it does not appear.
What is the replacement fee for a lost Emirates ID?
AED 300 plus service charges.
Does my Emirates ID number change when I renew?
No. Your 784 ID number stays the same for life.
Get Your Visa and Emirates ID Handled by Experts
From company setup to visas and Emirates ID, our team handles your business setup in Dubai end to end. Speak with our business setup consultants for fast, hassle-free processing.
