You reach into your wallet only to find that your Emirates ID is not there. Before panic sets in, remember that there is no fine for losing it. No penalty, no black points, no deadline that triggers a fee. The only thing you need is a police report and a replacement application. The moment ICP receives your report, the old card is blocked immediately, so no one can misuse it at a bank counter or government portal.
Your 15-digit Emirates ID number stays the same permanently. Nothing linked to your card is lost or changed. The replacement card carries the same number with a new print. Standard replacement takes 2 to 5 working days and costs approximately AED 451.40 online, including delivery. If you are travelling within 48 hours, the express Fawri service produces the card in 24 hours for an additional AED 150. You can also check your Emirates ID status after reporting to confirm that the old card has been deactivated in the system.
Step 1: File a Police Report
This is mandatory. ICP will not process a replacement application for a lost card without a police report. File it first, before you do anything else.
- Dubai: Dubai Police app, website, or any Smart Police Station. Takes about 30 minutes. A digital copy is provided instantly.
- Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police app or website.
- Other emirates: visit the nearest police station with your passport
The report is free of charge in most Emirates. Save the digital copy the moment you receive it. You will upload it when applying for a replacement. You can also find the nearest ICP Customer Happiness Centre at the same time, so both steps can be done in a single trip if you prefer in-person handling.
Step 2: Apply for Your Replacement Emirates ID
There are three official channels. Applying online is the fastest method this year.
Online via ICP Smart Services (Recommended)
- Go to the official ICP Smart Services site or open the UAEICP app on Google Play or the App Store.
- Log in with UAE Pass or your ICP account.
- Select “Replace Emirates ID” and then “Lost Card.”
- Enter your Emirates ID number. Do you not know about it? Open the UAE Pass app. Your EID number is displayed in your profile. Alternatively, any ICP Customer Happiness Centre can retrieve it using your passport.
- Upload the police report.
- Choose delivery method: Emirates Post or Zajel courier to your home or office address.
- Pay the fee by UAE debit or credit card. The system shows the full itemised amount before you confirm.
- A reference number is issued immediately. Save it for tracking.
At an ICP Customer Happiness Centre
Walk in with your passport, police report, and a copy of your old Emirates ID if available. ICP staff will retrieve your full file using your passport alone if you cannot remember your EID number. Pay at the counter by cash or card. Physical cards are delivered within 2 to 5 working days or collected from the centre.
Via Typing Centre (Amer or Tasheel)
Typing centres process the ICP application on your behalf for a service fee of approximately AED 30 to AED 70 on top of government fees. Bring your passport and police report. Good option for residents not comfortable navigating government portals.
Lost Emirates ID Replacement Fee
| Fee Component | Amount |
| Emirates ID card fee (per year of remaining validity) | AED 100 per year |
| ICP service fee | AED 100 |
| Knowledge and Innovation fee | AED 10 |
| Delivery (Emirates Post or Zajel) | AED 30 to AED 40 |
| Express Fawri service (optional, 24 hours) | AED 150 additional |
| Typing centre service fee (if used) | AED 30 to AED 70 |
| Approximate total (online, standard, with delivery) | AED 300 to AED 451.40 |
| Approximate total (express Fawri, with delivery) | AED 600 plus delivery |
The commonly quoted online total of AED 451.40 includes all components above for a standard replacement with home delivery. The exact amount is shown fully itemised on the ICP payment screen before you confirm. Typing centre fees are separate and added on top if you use that channel.
Need It Fast? The Fawri Express Emirates ID Service
If you need a replacement card urgently, the Fawri service produces it in 24 hours for an additional AED 150. At Fawri-enabled centres, the card is printed in 30 to 60 minutes while you wait.
Walk into a Fawri-enabled ICP Customer Happiness Centre with your passport, police report, and proof of payment. The service is useful when you are travelling within 48 hours, completing a tenancy agreement or vehicle registration, or renewing a bank facility that requires a physical card.
Check before you go: not all ICP Customer Happiness Centres offer Fawri. Confirm which centres have the express service enabled by checking the ICP Government portal or calling ICP on 600 522 222 before making the trip.
How to Track Your Replacement Emirates ID?
Use your reference number to check progress at any time:
- ICP Government Website: Go to “Application Status” and enter your request number or EID number.
- UAEICP App: Check all active requests under your profile.
Once the card is ready, Emirates Post or Zajel sends an SMS with collection or delivery details. For home delivery, the courier contacts you directly to arrange drop-off. You can also track exactly when your Emirates ID card is printed and dispatched through the ICP system.
Special Situations
Certain unique cases require a slightly different approach when replacing your card, such as applying for minors or dealing with an expired residence visa. This section covers those specific scenarios, along with what to do if you lose your document abroad or need to travel while waiting for a new one.
Lost Your Emirates ID Abroad
File a police report in the country where the loss occurred. Get it officially attested if required. Then, apply for your replacement through ICP Smart Services or the UAEICP app remotely. Biometrics may be required in-person when you return to the UAE. Call ICP on 600 522 222 before travelling back to confirm exactly what is needed in your situation.
Expired Residence Visa
Cannot be replaced if the visa is expired: The Emirates ID is linked to your residence visa. If your visa has expired, you cannot replace or renew the card independently. Renew your residence visa first through your employer or a typing centre. The new Emirates ID is issued as part of the visa renewal package. Check the full process in the UAE residence visa guide.
Minors (Under 15)
A parent or guardian applies on behalf of the child. Same process and documents, plus the child’s birth certificate and the parent’s Emirates ID. Police reports are still required if the card was lost.
Can I Travel While Waiting for My Replacement?
Yes. UAE residents do not need a physical Emirates ID to exit or re-enter the country. Your passport and a valid residence visa are sufficient for UAE immigration. Some GCC countries may request additional ID at entry. Carry your passport and a screenshot of your UAE visa status. Confirm your residence visa is valid before any travel during the replacement period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first if I lose my Emirates ID?
File a police report immediately through the Dubai Police app, the Abu Dhabi Police app, or the nearest police station. Then apply for a replacement through the ICP Portal, the UAEICP app, or an ICP Customer Happiness Centre. ICP deactivates the old card the moment your report is confirmed.
Is there a fine for losing your Emirates ID in the UAE?
No. There is no penalty or fine for losing the card. You only pay the standard replacement fee, which is approximately AED 451.40 for an online application with home delivery. No late fees and no black points apply.
Will my Emirates ID number change after replacement?
No. Your 15-digit Emirates ID number stays with you permanently. The replacement card carries the same number. Only the printing batch and issue date change. Every service, bank account, and government profile linked to your old EID number continues to work without updates.
How long does Emirates ID replacement take?
Standard processing takes 2 to 5 working days. The express Fawri service produces the card in 24 hours for an additional AED 150. At Fawri-enabled centres, the card prints in 30 to 60 minutes during a walk-in visit.
What if I do not remember my Emirates ID number?
Open the UAE Pass app. Your EID number is shown in your profile. If you do not have a UAE Pass, bring your passport to any ICP Customer Happiness Centre, and staff will retrieve the number from the system using your passport details.
Can I replace my Emirates ID if my visa has expired?
No. Renew your residence visa first. Once the visa is renewed, a new Emirates ID is issued as part of that process. You cannot apply for a standalone replacement while your visa is expired.
Final Thoughts
Losing your Emirates ID is stressful, but the process for fixing it is simple. File the police report, apply online or in-person, and a replacement will arrive in 2 to 5 days. Express options to handle emergencies. The most important first step is to file a police report because it blocks the old card instantly and gives you the documents ICP needs.
Two quick actions right now: file the police report and find your EID number in your UAE Pass app. Both make the rest of the process faster. Before submitting, also check if any fines are linked to your Emirates ID, so nothing surprises you at the counter. And if your card is not just lost but also close to expiry, the Emirates ID renewal guide covers whether replacement or renewal is the right route for your situation.
Haris Khan is the lead content expert at TheEmiratesGuides.com, where he oversees the documentation of UAE visa processes, employment opportunities, and government services. With a commitment to factual integrity and real-time updates, he provides the technical expertise necessary to guide readers through the complexities of life and work in the UAE.