Emirates ID is the UAE Government-issued identity card for the UAE’s citizens and residents. It is mandatory for all UAE citizens and residents to apply for an Emirates ID. This page provides information about the features and benefits of the card and also on the process to apply for it.
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About UAE Emirates ID
Emirates ID is an identity card issued by Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security-ICP. It is a legal requirement for all UAE citizens and residents to apply for one and carry it with them at all times. The Emirates ID is used:
- to get government services
- to vote in the elections of Federal National Council
- as a travel document for UAE citizens to travel within the GCC
- as a document to pass immigration through the eGates and smart gates at several airports in the UAE.
Note: As per ICP, it is against the law to seize the Emirates ID card of other people. Companies are not allowed to withhold the Emirates ID cards of their employees or their customers and visitors. They are only allowed to take the personal data on the ID cards. In case of violation, cardholders should refer the case to the judicial authorities.
UAE Emirates ID card features
The Emirates ID card consists of the following components which provide the highest levels of accuracy and security. The components are:
- Smart card
- Public key infrastructure (Digital signature and authentication certificates)
- Fingerprint biometric for Emirates id
Identification number (Emirates ID Number)
The identity card is featured for its identification number known as the identity number which sticks with its holder forever. By this number, he may benefit from all the governmental and some of the non-governmental and private entities services, which require the identity card as an evidence of who is accessing the service. The identity number is featured for its sole and un-repeated number. It includes 15 digits.
Electronic chip
It contains personal data of the holder. This data can be read by a machines built for this purpose and authenticate the user’s credentials. Some of these data are encrypted and only readable/writable/updatable by the authorized authorities in order to protect the privacy of data. This chip may store up to 32,000 letters of information.
Other technologies
The identity card has state of the art technology in the field of smart cards, including the accurate letters, ultra violet ink and line drawing. It has nine security features which makes falsification of the card very difficult for such features excels the current used standards in many cards such as banking credit cards.
Getting Emirates ID
You can apply for a new Emirates ID card at the website of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security– ICP, or through an accredited typing centre.
You might need to visit one of ICP’s service centres to provide your biometric details.
Refer to the ICP website for the application process, documents required and fees for getting an Emirates ID
Emirates ID within 24 hours
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security provides an urgent service for getting the Emirates ID card within 24 hours. The service is known as ‘Fawri’ and is available against the regular stated fees plus an urgent service fee.
The service is available for all age groups for UAE nationals and GCC nationals officially residing in UAE and can be obtained for:
- first time registration
- renewal of expired cards
- lost or damaged cards.
As for the expatriate residents other than GCC nationals, they are entitled to the urgent service only in case of replacement of their identity cards because the issuance or renewal of identity cards is linked to proof of residency and related procedures.
To obtain this service, visit the FAIC Customer Happiness Centres without prior notice and present the documents specified.
Fawri service is available at the following ICP Customers Happiness Centres:
- Al Jazeera and Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi
- Al Barsha, Al Rashidiya and Karama in Dubai
- Madinat Zayed in the Western Region
- Al Ain Centre
- Sharjah Centre
- Ajman Centre
- Fujairah Centre
- Ras Al Khaimah Centre
- Umm Al Quwain Centre.
