How To Get Your Emirates ID in Dubai

Find our complete guide on getting an Emirates ID and the Emirates Identity Authority

Posted on

3 April 2013

| Last updated on 18 February 2019

by Rebecca Roberts

Emirates ID and Emirates Identity Authority in Dubai

Pictured: Emirates Identity Authority building in Madinat Khalifa, Abu Dhabi

Find all the information you need to know to help you register for your Emirates ID card...

As part of the "settling in" process after moving to Dubai, getting your own Emirates ID is an important step. Once you have your UAE residency visa stamped and in your passport, you'll receive your Emirates ID.

By law, all UAE residents must have their own Emirates ID card. The EID card is an electronic means of identification issued by the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA). It is mandatory for all nationals and resident expatriates above the age of 15 years old to have one.

Coupled with sophisticated technological features, the ID card is a safe means for identification of residents and verification of their identities. It contains an ID number that links every individual to his/her own personal and biological lifetime data.

The ID number serves as a reference for the respective individual in his/her identity-proved transactions with government bodies and some private organisations. It is expected that the ID card will, later, replace all currently applicable other identification means such as labour permit, health card, driving licence, etc.

How get your Emirates ID card

This card is mandatory for all legal residents of the UAE, including nationals, GCC citizens, expatriates and residents. If you fit one of these categories, you can submit individual or group applications to apply for the Emirates ID card.

Members of group applications must be from the same family or under the same sponsor (e.g. labourers under the same company sponsorship).

To submit your application for an ID card you can either visit an accredited Typing Centers , or visit www.ica.gov.aewww.emiratesid.ae. You will be required to visit a Preventative Medical Center or Registration Center to complete the application process.

Your ID card should be printed and issued in a timely manner, and it will contain your accurate personal, biographical and biometric data.

There are three steps to issuing a new Emirates ID card:

Step 1: Application

You are required to complete the online application form here or to visit an accredited Typing Center to apply for the service.

Then, you are required to pay the ID card fees in full when submitting the application.

Your appointment will be printed on your application form and you will receive confirmation via SMS (UAE Nationals, GCC Citizens and Residents). Expatriates are required to visit their nearest Preventative Medical Center as soon as possible; you do not require an appointment.

Step 2: Visit EIDA

Please proceed to a EIDA Registration Centers (UAE, GCC Nationals and Residents) or Preventative Medical Center (Expatriates) on the appointment date. You are responsible for providing the center with the required documents. Emirates ID representatives at the center will capture your biometric data (fingerprints and picture). You will be notified of your enrolment via SMS.

Step 3: Payment

You must pay a fee for your Emirates ID card - it costs AED 100 per year of validity. Your EID is valid for the same length of time as your UAE residency visa generally, and it will state its expiry date on the card once printed. So if your EID is valid for 3 years, you'll pay AED 300.

There's also a typing fee and service charge involved, AED 70.

Step 4: Collection

You will receive an SMS from Emirates Identity Authority stating your card has been printed and is to be sent to the delivery company. You'll then receive an SMS from Emirates Post once the card is ready for pickup with the location... You can collect your ID card from your local post office

Carrying an Emirates ID is mandatory for all in UAE - including expats

What documents are required for your Emirates ID?

If you are a UAE National or a GCC Citizen, you will require the following documents to access the service:

Completed application form (Application form is available online and at any accredited Typing Center)
Original valid passport
Original valid family book (UAE National)
Proof of residency such as original valid employment certificate, real estate lease or ownership contract, commercial licence, school registration certificate, certificate of dependency, valid marriage contract or an employment card (GCC Citizen)

If you are an Expatriate or Resident, you will require the following documents to access the services:

Completed application form (Application form is available online and at any accredited Typing Center)
Original valid passport, the Original parent passport which the child is mentioned
Original valid entry visa (Expatriate)
Original valid residence visa (Resident)

More details on what you need for your Emirates ID can be found on the official website here.

Children below the age of 15 years old

Enrolment for the Population Register and ID Card Program is also mandatory for children below 15 years old- obtaining/ issuing an ID card for them is a matter of choice and subject to guardian's consent.

Should you choose to gain an EID for your young teenager or child, a visit to one of the EIDA Registration Centers is not needed. Instead, you can submit a colour passport-sized photo instead.

Biometric data is not needed; his/her biometric data will be captured upon applying for a renewal of their ID card, provided that he/she is 15 years or older.

Getting an Emirates ID card for a newborn baby

ID cards for newborns require the submission of a photocopy of the birth certificate in addition to the aforementioned document requirements. The parent must also present their valid ID card.

ID cards for newborns in Dubai don't require biometric data

How long does it take to get an Emirates ID card?

Once all requirements are meet and your supporting documents are complete you will receive your ID card within ten working days (after your visit to the Registration Centers or issuance of the residency permit).

Your obligation as a UAE resident

It is a legal requirement for all nationals and residents to carry their Emirates ID cards on them at ALL times. Failure to present your card when asked by a Dubai Police officer could land you in hot water.

Where are the Emirates ID centers in Dubai?

You can telephone 600 530 003 to speak directly with a member of staff at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship centers you can visit for your Emirates ID registration in Dubai are as follows:

Al Baraha

Gate 2, Al Baraha Street, near Dubai Preventative Department Building
7.30am - 2.30pm
Sunday to Thursday

Al Karama

Al Karama Central Post Building, near Dubai Municipality Laboratory
7am - 5.30pm
Sunday to Thursday

Al Quoz

Al Quoz Mall, 17 B Street, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3
7am - 2pm
Sunday to Thursday
For men only

Al Barsha

Al Barsha 3 Region
Near the Saudi German Hospital
7am - 5.30pm
Sunday to Thursday

Knowledge Village

Building 13, Office 21 and 22 on the 1st Floor
Near the Medical Fitness Centre
7.30am - 2.30pm
Sunday to Thursday

Jafza

8th Intersection, Gate No. 7 in Jebel Ali Free Zone
7am - 2pm
Sunday to Thursday

Al Rashidiya Centre

Behind Al Rashidiya Council, opposite Mohamed Noor Boys School
7am - 5.30pm
Sunday to Thursday

Al Lusayli

Immigration and passports department, near the vegetables market
7.30am - 2.30pm
Sunday to Thursday

Hatta Centre

Immigration and passports department in Hatta, near the Al Qil'a roundabout and Dubai Municipality Hatta branch
7.30am - 2.30pm
Sunday to Thursday

Muhaisina

Al Muhaisina 2 region, near the Medical Fitness Centre
7am - 4pm, Sunday to Thursday
8am - 8pm on Saturdays

Al Jafiliya

The building of the General Directorate of Naturalisation and Residency, near Bur Dubai Police Station
Newborn registration only
7.30am - 2.30pm
Sunday to Thursday

For a full list of the locations of all Customer Happiness Centers in Dubai and the rest of the UAE, click here.

Picture credit: Khaleej Times

What is my Emirates ID number?

Once you have received your Emirates ID card, you will see your ID number clearly marked in the centre of the front side between the chip and your photo, and below the UAE's logo.

Your Emirates ID card number is 15 digits long, and will look like:

XXX-XXXX-XXXXXXX-X

Your name and nationality will also be printed on your Emirates ID in both English and Arabic.

On the reverse side of your Emirates ID card, your gender and date of birth will be displayed. As well as your signature, plus the expiry date of when your EID card is valid until. This normally corresponds with the validity of your UAE residency visa. There's also a unique 9 digit card number.

There's a whole host of other numbers and letters jumbled together - but just take note that your complete Emirates ID number is the most important one, and will be used when filling out applications and similar during your residency here.

What to do if your Emirates ID is lost

Report to your nearest Emirates Identity Authority centre the misplacement of your EID card
Acquire a stamped certificate of ID number from any EIDA centre
Fill in an application for replacement at a Typing Centre or online
Pay the AED 300 fee for a replacement card

As it is a legal requirement to carry your EID with you at all times, you MUST replace a lost card as soon as possible by applying for a new one. In fact, the law states that a lost or stolen EID card should be reported to the nearest Emirates Identity Authority centre immediately.

The lost card will be deactivated, so it can no longer be used.

You must then apply for a replacement using the same fixed ID number - to do this, obtain a stamped certificate of your ID number from any Emirates ID service centre. You'll need to take proof of your identity - like your passport.

Next, fill in the "replacement for damaged or lost card" form at an authorised Typing Centre, or from the ID authority's website here.

As an expatriate, you must have a valid residency or entry visa in order to replace your lost EID card. Emirates are required to show their original valid passport and family book, and GCC nationals must provide a document proving their residency in the UAE, like an employment certificate, property lease or valid employment card for example.

Children under 15 must provide a colour, passport-size photo with a white background.

A fee of AED 300 is charged for your replacement card, which must be paid in cash or credit card only.

A misplaced Emirates ID must be reported to EIDA immediately and replaced quickly

When to renew your Emirates ID

All UAE citizens and residents have the right to apply for a renewal of their identity card six months before the expiration date, and up to one month from the expiry date in order to avoid delay penalties.

Fines for delayed Emirates ID card renewal

ALL categories of customers must renew their ID cards within 30 days of expiry. Customers who are late in submitting their renewed ID card application will be fined AED 20 per day until they reach AED 1,000 as the capped maximum.

Cost of renewing your Emirates ID

For UAE nationals, it costs AED 100 for a 5 year EID and AED 200 for a 10 year EID. For GCC nationals, it's AED 100 for a 5 year ID.

Expats on the other hand should pay AED 100 for each residency year - much like the fees applied for gaining a new Emirates ID card.

What you need to renew your Emirates ID

As an expatriate over the age of 15 years, you'll need your valid original passport, your expired residency and your expired ID. For expats under the ages of 15 years, you'll need the same plus their original birth certificate/original passport/or father's ID plus a passport photo with a light blue background.

How to renew your Emirates ID

You can renew your EID via a mobile application on your smartphone, or by visiting the Emirates Identity Authority website. You may also visit any one of the above listed service/typing centers in Dubai.

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