How to Get Emirates ID in UAE | Step-by-Step Process (2026)

The Emirates ID is the single most important card you carry in the UAE. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, get a SIM card, sign a tenancy contract, collect a salary through WPS, or access any government service. Every person with a valid UAE residence visa is legally required to hold one, including expats, investors, dependents, domestic workers, and students. UAE nationals hold it as a permanent national identity document independent of any visa.

In 2026, the application must pass through the ICP Smart Services portal, the UAEICP mobile app, or a licensed typing centre. The card fee is AED 100 per year of visa validity and most cards arrive within 7 to 14 working days. Your UAE residence visa must be approved before you can apply.

What Is the Emirates ID?

Issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Emirates ID is a polycarbonate smart card embedded with a microchip holding your biometric data, residency information, and digital identity. The card shows your full name in English and Arabic, nationality, date of birth, photograph, and a unique 15-digit ID number in the format 784-YYYY-XXXXXXX-X. On cards issued after 2022, the employer or occupation field appears on the back.

You need it for banking, healthcare, all government portals, UAE Pass login, Smart Gate immigration clearance at airports, SIM registration, and utility accounts. Your Unified Number (UID) is linked to your Emirates ID and stays the same for life across all visa renewals and job changes.

Who Needs an Emirates ID?

• Employed expats: Employer sponsors the visa and leads the Emirates ID application process.
• Investors and self-sponsored residents: You or your PRO handle the ICP application directly.
• Dependent family members: The main visa sponsor applies on their behalf.
• UAE nationals: Issued as a national identity document. Validity: 5 to 10 years, not tied to any visa.
• Domestic workers: Employer initiates through a typing centre or ICP portal.
• Children and newborns: All ages must be registered. Under-15s are exempt from biometrics but still receive a physical card.

Who does not qualify: Tourists and visit visa holders are not eligible. Emirates ID is only for formal UAE residence visa holders.

Documents Required

Document	Expat Resident	UAE National	Dependent Child
Valid passport	Required	Required	Required
UAE residence visa or entry permit	Required	Not applicable	Required
Medical fitness test certificate	Required (new applicants)	Not required	Not required
Family book (Khulasat Al Qaid)	Not applicable	Required	Not applicable
Birth certificate	Not required	Not required	Required (under 15)
Sponsor’s Emirates ID and passport copy	Not required	Not applicable	Required
Passport-sized photo (white background)	Required	Required	Required

For new expat residents, your medical fitness test result must be uploaded to the ICP system before the application can move forward. If you have just completed your test, our guide to getting an Emirates ID after the medical test explains exactly what happens from that point.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Emirates ID

Following the exact application process ensures your official Emirates ID is quickly approved without any unnecessary delays. Read our simple instructions below to successfully submit your personal details and complete your final registration today.

Step 1: Get Your Residence Visa Approved

No Emirates ID can be issued without an approved UAE residence visa or a valid entry permit. For employed expats, the employer files for the entry permit through MOHRE for mainland companies or through the relevant free zone authority. Once the visa is confirmed and stamped, the Emirates ID process can begin. If your visa is still being processed, the waiting for residency to be issued section discusses what you can and cannot do in that timeframe.

Step 2: Complete the Medical Fitness Test

New expat residents must pass a medical fitness test at an approved health authority facility before submitting an Emirates ID application. The test checks for communicable diseases and is mandatory for all new employment visa holders. Results are uploaded directly to the ICP system, which links them to your residency file. Once clearance is confirmed, the next step can proceed immediately.

Step 3: Submit the Application

The application goes through one of three channels:

• ICP Smart Services Portal (gov.ae): Log in with UAE Pass, select Identity Card Services then New ID Card Application, fill in your personal details, upload documents, select the validity period matching your visa duration, pay online by card or e-Dirham, and receive your PRAN (Personal Registration Acknowledgment Number) by SMS.
• UAEICP Mobile App: Download from the App Store or Google Play. Steps are identical to the portal — log in with UAE Pass, fill in the application, upload documents, pay, and get your PRAN.
• Licensed Typing Centre (Amer Centre or Tasheel): Walk in with all documents and staff will fill in the form on your behalf. A service fee of AED 30 to AED 70 is charged on top of government fees. The most common route is for new employees who are not yet on UAE Pass.

Step 4: Attend Your Biometric Appointment

All applicants aged 15 and above must visit an ICP Customer Happiness Centre for fingerprint scans, iris scans, and facial photo capture. This is mandatory for first-time applicants and some renewals where biometric data needs to be updated.

How to book:

1. Go to the official ICP portal and log in with UAE Pass
2. Open your application in process or enter your PRAN
3. Select Book Biometric Appointment and choose your Emirates and preferred ICP Customer Happiness Centre
4. Pick an available date and time. Download the confirmation to bring on the day.

Bring to the appointment: Original passport, entry permit or residence visa, PRAN or appointment confirmation, and medical fitness clearance if applicable.

Why appointments get rejected: Passport and photo mismatch, expired entry permit, henna or nail polish on fingertips, arriving more than 10 to 15 minutes late, or going to the wrong centre type. Arriving early with complete documents clears almost all of these.

Step 5: Pay the Fees

Fees are paid during the online application or at the typing centre or Customer Happiness Centre. Card, cash, or the UAE digital wallet is accepted, depending on the channel. For employed expats, the employer is legally required to cover this cost and cannot deduct it from your salary.

Step 6: Track Your Status and Receive the Card

Automatic SMS updates are sent at every stage. You can also track manually on the ICP portal or UAEICP app using your PRAN. The statuses you will see are: Under Process, Waiting for Residency, Card Printed, Dispatched, and Out for Delivery. For a full walkthrough of all tracking methods, check our Emirates ID status check page. For the specific printing and dispatch stage, our Emirates ID card printing status page covers it in detail.

Emirates Post delivers to your registered address within 3 to 7 working days of dispatch. If you miss delivery, collect it from your nearest Emirates Post office with your original passport. Cards not collected within 90 days of printing are returned to the ICP.

Need it urgently? The Fawri Express service (AED 150 extra) prints your card within 24 hours. Available at Customer Happiness Centres and selected typing centres.

Digital Emirates ID: Once biometrics are done, a digital version is immediately available on the UAEICP app under My Documents. It works for government portals, UAE Pass services, and some bank onboarding. The physical card is still needed for airline travel, certain banking visits, and rental agreements.

Emirates ID Fees

Fees are paid once at the time of application and cover the full visa validity period. UAE nationals pay a flat AED 100 card fee regardless of ID validity period.

Applicant Type	Card Fee	Smart Service	Typing Centre	Fawri Extra
Expat (2-year visa)	AED 200	AED 100	AED 30 to 70	AED 150
Expat (3-year visa)	AED 300	AED 100	AED 30 to 70	AED 150
Golden Visa (10-year)	AED 1,000	AED 100	AED 30 to 70	AED 150
UAE National (flat)	AED 100	AED 100	AED 30 to 70	AED 150
Replacement (lost/damaged)	AED 300	AED 100	AED 30 to 70	AED 150

Real-cost totals for expats: 2-year visa = AED 300 total. 3-year visa = AED 400 total. 10-year Golden Visa = AED 1,100 total. Typing centre service fees are added separately if you use that route.

Processing Time

Stage	Standard	Fawri Express
Application to biometric SMS	1 to 3 days	1 to 3 days
Biometrics to card printing	2 to 5 working days	24 hours
Dispatch to Emirates Post delivery	3 to 7 working days	3 to 7 working days
Total: application to card in hand	7 to 14 working days	4 to 7 working days

Delays happen most often due to a document mismatch, medical fitness test results not yet in the ICP system, or residency approval still pending. If your status has not changed within 7 working days of biometrics, call ICP on 600 522 222.

Common Reasons Applications Get Delayed

• Passport and photo mismatch at the biometric appointment.
• Name spelling mismatch between the application and a passport file. Even a missing middle name causes a hold.
• Medical test result not yet in ICP system. Wait 24 to 48 hours after the test before submitting the application.
• Entry permit expired before the application was fully processed. Check the dates before submitting.
• Residency showing as pending in the ICP database. Usually resolves within 24 to 48 hours automatically.
• Existing fines or flags on your ICP file from a previous visa.

Renewal, Lost Card and Fines

Residents can start their renewal up to six months before expiry. A late renewal fine of AED 20 per day applies one month past the expiry date up to a maximum of AED 1000. You can easily review the complete Emirates ID renewal process and fees to avoid these extra charges.

A lost or damaged card replacement costs AED 300 plus the standard service fee, or an extra AED 150 for express printing. You can quickly apply for a lost Emirates ID replacement online through the official channels. Always remember to check your Emirates ID fine to clear any outstanding penalties beforehand.

To update personal details like your address, simply use the official ICP portal or the UAEICP app. You can also change the mobile number on your Emirates ID directly through the main system. Afterwards, remember to complete du and Etisalat Emirates ID update to keep your active telecom services running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an Emirates ID?

Standard processing from application to card in hand takes 7 to 14 working days. Biometrics to card printing takes 2 to 5 working days. Emirates Post delivery takes 3 to 7 working days after dispatch. Fawri Express cuts printing to 24 hours for an extra AED 150.

Can I apply without a UAE residence visa?

No. Emirates ID is only issued to people holding a valid UAE residence visa. Tourists and visitors on visit visas are not eligible.

What is a PRAN number?

PRAN stands for Personal Registration Acknowledgment Number. It is issued when you submit your Emirates ID application and used to book your biometric appointment and track your card status on the ICP portal or UAEICP app.

Do children need an Emirates ID?

Yes. All children living in the UAE with a valid residence visa must hold a valid Emirates ID. Children under 15 are exempt from biometrics but still receive a physical card.

How much does the Emirates ID cost in 2026?

For expats, the fee is AED 100 per year of visa validity plus AED 100 smart service fee. A 2-year visa totals AED 300. A 3-year visa totals AED 400. A 10-year Golden Visa totals AED 1,100. Typing centre service fees are added if you use that route.

Can my employer deduct the Emirates ID fee from my salary?

No. Under the UAE Labour Law the employer is fully responsible for this fee for employment visa holders. It cannot be deducted from the employee’s salary.

What is the Fawri service?

An express card printing service is available at Customer Happiness Centres and selected typing centres. Costs AED 150 extra and prints your card within 24 hours. Subject to eligibility.

What happens if I do not collect my card from Emirates Post?

Cards not collected within 90 days of being printed are returned to ICP. Call ICP on 600 522 222 or visit a Customer Happiness Centre to arrange redelivery.