URGENT UPDATE ABOUT EMIRATES ID CARDS!

Went this morning to Bin Sougat ID centre. Got there for 8am. Had typing done there, then fingerprints and photo. Home now and ID registration complete. Will get an SMS in around 4 weeks to collect at a Post Office. Couldn't have been simpler.I had put it off forever cos of all the hyped up stories about getting one. Now, for coffee. Where is that I'd centre.?

Went this morning to Bin Sougat ID centre. Got there for 8am. Had typing done there, then fingerprints and photo. Home now and ID registration complete. Will get an SMS in around 4 weeks to collect at a Post Office. Couldn't have been simpler.I had put it off forever cos of all the hyped up stories about getting one. Now, for coffee.

Is no one actually at all concerned about what they do, how they store and how secure is all the biometric data you're handing over? I mean, we've all heard of driving fines being accrued whilst you're out of the country or asleep and when contested, you're met with the Dubai Shrug... so how about your fingerprints?! Any sensible person is but what do you do?

I went to renew my ID card in march and when after 2 month I did not receive it I call and was informed I had to go back as my finger prints were not clear!!! I was fingerprinted 2 years back and it was fine. I kept postponing going back for one reason and another. Last week I got an SMS informing me my ID card was ready to pick up in Warqa post office....and it was. Btw I have never used my ID in 3 years. I feel it is just another moneymaking scheme where in the world you need to renew your ID every 2 years?

yep always been stricter down here in the capital, but you do need an id card if you are new, ie for drivers licence and to register a new car. more will follow Here in Dubai, I bought a new car in November and no one asked me for my Emirates ID card. I previously re-registered a car too and no one asked me for my Emirates ID card. I am yet to understand what I could use my Emirates ID card for!

We got our cards three years ago. Does it mean they're now expired and we need to go through the whole rigamarole process? Or do we just have it automatically renewed by handing it over? I'm dreading the long queues.... It generally expires with your residency visa.

At risk of sounding like a numpty, if I want to renew my ID card what exactly do I have to do? Can I just turn up at the ID center with my old card and my passport? Will they do all the paperwork for me there? Do I need a letter of No Objection or anything daft like that? Thanks Yes, just turn up with old card + passport + cash (AED 370 in my case). That's what I did this morning.

Life in Dubai once the Emirates ID Card starts working as intended: A customer calls Pizza Hut in Dubai --- Customer (fainted) Operator: hello hello, are you still there.... Right on, CT! :) And not only here - eventually, this seems to be the Orwellian future for basically everyone on the planet. It seems that way, anyway. As to the smooth acquisition of Emirates ID cards, no complaints. The process itself was quite straightforward - was back in October 2010, anyway. Our PRO did the preparing/typing part and got us an appointment. Then it was just to visit the closest EIDA office for fingerprints and photos. And, in due course of time, the cards were couriered to us. Our cards are the 3-year ones. Got them as thought the deadline was by the end of 2010 (back then, had been residents for one year). Have used them at several occasions already, as a form of identification. And, the option for adding egate service (in)to it was just brilliant. Made it even more useful. Nevertheless. I get the concern. There's this humongous data collection from citizens going on everywhere. <em>edited by jophiel on 24/08/2011</em>

At risk of sounding like a numpty, if I want to renew my ID card what exactly do I have to do? Can I just turn up at the ID center with my old card and my passport? Will they do all the paperwork for me there? Do I need a letter of No Objection or anything daft like that? Thanks

I love when they are always creating the panic... Remember when many people went to RAK/Fujeirah to get the ID cards in late 2010?

Is no one actually at all concerned about what they do, how they store and how secure is all the biometric data you're handing over? I mean, we've all heard of driving fines being accrued whilst you're out of the country or asleep and when contested, you're met with the Dubai Shrug... so how about your fingerprints?! But everyone has their finger prints taken when they first arrive and get a visa anyway, so they're already on some system somewhere. I've never had mine taken and I've been in dubai for nearly 3 years. My visa's up for renewal in Dec though, so I may have a surprise!

I'm pretty sure I read in the papers a few months ago that to ease the pressure on the issuing of ID cards expats in Dubai would have their IDs linked to visa renewal and the aim was to get everyone issued with a card before 2013. Abu Dhabi is much more strict and they needed theirs by 30 June and would have to go to offices. Also the RTA haven't started using ID cards yet but will in the future. Anyone else read this or did I dream it!!:\: yep always been stricter down here in the capital, but you do need an id card if you are new, ie for drivers licence and to register a new car. more will follow

We got our cards three years ago. Does it mean they're now expired and we need to go through the whole rigamarole process? Or do we just have it automatically renewed by handing it over? I'm dreading the long queues.... to renew you can go to a typing center where they will update the visa page etc, no need to go through the fingerprinting and photos etc.

I'm pretty sure I read in the papers a few months ago that to ease the pressure on the issuing of ID cards expats in Dubai would have their IDs linked to visa renewal and the aim was to get everyone issued with a card before 2013. Abu Dhabi is much more strict and they needed theirs by 30 June and would have to go to offices. Also the RTA haven't started using ID cards yet but will in the future. Anyone else read this or did I dream it!!:\:

We got our cards three years ago. Does it mean they're now expired and we need to go through the whole rigamarole process? Or do we just have it automatically renewed by handing it over? I'm dreading the long queues....

Is no one actually at all concerned about what they do, how they store and how secure is all the biometric data you're handing over? I mean, we've all heard of driving fines being accrued whilst you're out of the country or asleep and when contested, you're met with the Dubai Shrug... so how about your fingerprints?! But everyone has their finger prints taken when they first arrive and get a visa anyway, so they're already on some system somewhere. also if you want to live and work here you will have to do it at some point.

Is no one actually at all concerned about what they do, how they store and how secure is all the biometric data you're handing over? I mean, we've all heard of driving fines being accrued whilst you're out of the country or asleep and when contested, you're met with the Dubai Shrug... so how about your fingerprints?! But everyone has their finger prints taken when they first arrive and get a visa anyway, so they're already on some system somewhere.

This morning I made it to the Emirates ID center in Al Barsha at 8:15 to renew my card; it had lapsed last summer. The threat of a fine got me there, because honestly no one in the past couple of years has ever asked me for my Emirates ID. My conclusion is that so far it's been of no use whatsoever to me! I was number 30 at 8:15. However, the 2 ladies at the "Tayping" section (that's what my ticket said) were just settling in. They were actually fairly efficient, if not particularly talkative, once they started. I paid AED 370 for the card, with tayping included. :\: Here is my question: the service lady spoke about a SMS in 3 weeks but I am not sure what I am supposed to do then. Pick it up from somewhere?? The first time around it was delivered to me. :\: Am really not amused by this whole charade! I just received mine last week. From the date of processing my renewal it took three weeks, then Aramex called me and asked where I'd like it delivered, office or home. So one of the courier companies will call you in about 3 weeks, no need for you to go anywhere :)

Does anyone know the opening hours of the ID place in Al Barsha? is it open in the evenings or at weekends? just cannot find these all important details on their website. Thanks. Sun. - Thurs. 7:30 am to 8:30 pm.

This morning I made it to the Emirates ID center in Al Barsha at 8:15 to renew my card; it had lapsed last summer. The threat of a fine got me there, because honestly no one in the past couple of years has ever asked me for my Emirates ID. My conclusion is that so far it's been of no use whatsoever to me! I was number 30 at 8:15. However, the 2 ladies at the "Tayping" section (that's what my ticket said) were just settling in. They were actually fairly efficient, if not particularly talkative, once they started. I paid AED 370 for the card, with tayping included. :\: Here is my question: the service lady spoke about a SMS in 3 weeks but I am not sure what I am supposed to do then. Pick it up from somewhere?? The first time around it was delivered to me. :\: Am really not amused by this whole charade!

Cyclone and CJ I wish there was a "like" button :)

Does anyone know the opening hours of the ID place in Al Barsha? is it open in the evenings or at weekends? just cannot find these all important details on their website. Thanks. Try calling 600 5234 32. Thats the main ID Centre number...Good luck!!lol

Is no one actually at all concerned about what they do, how they store and how secure is all the biometric data you're handing over? I mean, we've all heard of driving fines being accrued whilst you're out of the country or asleep and when contested, you're met with the Dubai Shrug... so how about your fingerprints?!

2013 will be the deadline they said it would take 3 years to process everything. Just in time or my new visa. mine too- i may relax then!

Does anyone know the opening hours of the ID place in Al Barsha? is it open in the evenings or at weekends? just cannot find these all important details on their website. Thanks. obviously with ramadan there will be different timings.

Haha CT.....:D

Does anyone know the opening hours of the ID place in Al Barsha? is it open in the evenings or at weekends? just cannot find these all important details on their website. Thanks.

Life in Dubai once the Emirates ID Card starts working as intended: A customer calls Pizza Hut in Dubai Operator: ' Thank you for calling Pizza Hut. May I have your...' Customer: 'Salam Ale koum, can I order....’ Operator: 'Can I have your UAE identity card number please, Sir?' Customer: ' It's eh..., hold........ ..On..... .889861356102049 998-45-54610' Operator: 'OK... you're... Mr Waleed from Syria and you're calling from Flat #402, Al Maskaan Building, Bur Dubai. Your home number is 04-3661231, your office number is 04-8852302 & your mobile number is 050-2665667. Where has the delivery to take place Sir?' Customer: ' Home! How did you get all my phone numbers? Operator: ' We are connected to the system Sir' Customer: 'May I order your Seafood Pizza...' Operator: 'That's not a good idea Sir' Customer: 'How come?' Operator:'According to our medical records you went for your check up last week to Welcare Hospital and you have high blood pressure and even higher cholesterol level Sir' Customer:’ What? ... What do you recommend then?' Operator:’ Try our Low Fat Hokkien Mee Pizza. You'll like it' Customer: ‘How do you know for sure?' Operator: ‘You borrowed a book entitled 'Popular Hokkien Dishes' from the National Library in Deira, last week Sir' Customer:'OK I give up... Give me three family size ones then, how much will that cost?' Operator:'That should be enough for your family of 10, Sir. The total is Dirham 112.00' Customer: 'Can I pay by credit card?' Operator:'I'm afraid you have to pay us cash, Sir. Your First Gulf credit card is over the limit and you owe Citibank Credit card another Dirham 3,720.55 since October. That's not including the late payment charges on your housing loan to NBD, Sir.' Customer: 'I guess I have to run to the neighborhood ATM and withdraw some cash before your guy arrives' Operator:’ You can't Sir. Based on the records, you've reached your daily limit on HSBC ATM withdrawal for today' Customer: 'Never mind just send the pizzas; I'll have the cash ready. How long is it going take anyway?' Operator: 'About 45 minutes Sir, but if you can't wait don't come and collect it on your Honda Civic...' Customer: 'What?' Operator:'According to the details in system, your Honda Civics’ Registration i.e. Malkia is expiring in 23 days & your Gargash Insurance has already got expired last week.... Customer:'?? ??' Operator:'Is there anything else Sir?' Customer: 'Nothing... by the way... aren't you giving me those 3 free bottles of cola as advertised?' Operator: 'We normally would Sir, but based on your records you're also diabetic.... ... ' Customer: #$$ ^%&$@$% ^ tm kiere.....abe ytga...npiye!!!!!!!............. . Operator: ‘Better watch your language Sir. Remember on 15th July 2008 on Dubai Hatta Road, when you wrongly overtook the BMW & you were convicted of using abusive language also on the policeman...?' Customer (fainted) Operator: hello hello, are you still there....

2013 will be the deadline they said it would take 3 years to process everything. Just in time or my new visa.