Dubai: Few things are more frustrating, or panic-inducing, than paying your Emirates ID renewal fees, submitting your application – and then receiving a notification that it has been returned, delayed or rejected.While most applicants assume they have done everything right and gone through the proper steps, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has repeatedly stated that a significant proportion of rejected or delayed applications are caused because of errors in submitted documents.In 2012, the ICP found that 2% of ID card registration applications submitted to Emirates Identity Authority centres across the UAE were rejected daily after being verified, due to errors in provided data, the incompatibility of photographs or the wrong supporting documents.Here are the most common reasons an Emirates ID renewal application may be rejected, according to the ICP, and what you can do to fix them:1. Your photograph may not meet the requirementsA non-compliant photograph can be the cause of your application being rejected. According to the ICP, this can happen if the attached photograph is of low quality or does not meet the specified dimensions.Some issues that act as a red flag for photographs include:Blurry or low-quality imageWrong background colourShadows on the faceFace not centred properlyWearing accessories that obstruct facial featuresThe ICP has extensive guidelines about personal photo specifications, which include the following pointers:The photograph must be no more than six months old. It must not be identical to the photograph in your expired Emirates ID.It must be 35mm in width and 45mm in height.It should be clear, with a sharp focus, and a resolution of at least 600dpi.It must show a close up of your face, looking directly at the camera, and your face must take up 70 to 80% of the photograph.There must be no creases or ink marks.The photograph must be taken with a plain, light-coloured background (preferably white).Glasses are permitted if they are slim, and do not block your face or reflect light.Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons.How to fix it:First, obtain a recent passport photograph that meets the above specifications. Take it at a professional photography studio that is aware of the ICP requirements, rather than attempting to do it yourself, for best results.Next, visit an ICP Customer Happiness Centre with your original passport and Emirates ID. The Emirates ID photo modification currently cannot be done online and must be done in-person.Fill out the application for changing information in your Emirates ID and submit it with the new photograph and your identification documents.Pay the fee for Emirates ID modification, which is Dh150, and is inclusive of the knowledge and innovation fees.Confirm your biometrics.About 48 hours after you submit your application, you will receive a notification by SMS, letting you know your new Emirates ID is ready for pick-up.2. Your name does not match your passportAnother key mistake highlighted by the ICP is a mismatch in names. Even a minor spelling difference between your passport and your application can cause problems.How to fix it:Check your passport carefully before submitting your application. Ensure your name appears exactly as it does in the biodata page of your passport.3. Your residence visa has not been renewedThe Emirates ID is linked to your residence visa, if you are an expatriate in the UAE. So, if your visa renewal process has not been completed correctly, the Emirates ID renewal may be delayed or even rejected.How to fix it:The window for visa renewal opens 30 days before the residence visa expiry date. Ensure you gather the relevant documents, pay the fees, and submit your application for visa renewal in time.Once you have applied to renew your visa, the ICP allows you to track your visa status, and be notified immediately if there is an issue that needs your attention.Follow these steps to complete your visa renewal process correctly.4. You missed your biometric appointmentIn order to receive an Emirates ID, individuals over the age of 15 are required to complete biometric collection procedures at an authorised service centre.In the visa renewal process, your fingerprints and photograph are already on file, so the process can continue without the need for an in-person visit for biometric data collection.However, in some cases, you may be asked for new fingerprint scans or facial verification to confirm your records are accurate. According to Dubai’s Amer Centre website, a notification may be sent for biometric updates to residents renewing their visa or Emirates ID in the following situations:Passport renewal with updated detailsResidency category or sponsor changesLong gaps between previous renewalsMissing or outdated fingerprint recordsSystem request for updated facial verificationIf you’re not expecting this update, you might miss the notification or forget about it.How to fix it:You can book or reschedule your biometric collection appointment, if you missed it, on the ICP website.When you complete an Emirates ID application online, you will receive a registration form that contains a QR code. This code allows you to change the date for your Emirates ID fingerprint scan, on the ICP’s website.Follow these steps to reschedule your biometric appointment:Visit ICP Smart Services at smartservices.icp.gov.ae, and log in with your UAE PASS. Select ‘Public Services’.Next, click ‘Additional Services’ and ‘Search/Modify for Enrollment Appointment’. Click the ‘Start Service’ button.Enter your registered email address; it must be the same one you used to fill out the Emirates ID application.Next, enter your application number (PRAN), mentioned on the top of your application form, or your request number or reference number, which are mentioned just below the PRAN.Select ‘Search’ and the ICP website will check and confirm whether you have an existing application and appointment date registered in the system. Once the results come up, click on the ‘Edit’ button.Now, enter your passport number, date of birth and nationality. Select ‘Check’.Select your emirate of residence from the drop-down menu, then select the enrollment centre where you’d like to complete the biometric collection appointment.Choose a date and time from the available options. Once you have made your selection, a notification will appear, stating that your request to reschedule the appointment was successful.You can then print out your new Emirates ID registration form with the updated date and time for biometric collection. Submit this form at the centre, on your chosen date and time, to complete the process.5. Your passport details are incorrect or outdatedAnother common error that causes your application to be flagged, is when your passport information has been entered incorrectly, or if your passport has expired. According to the ICP, passports must be valid for at least six months, when renewing the Emirates ID.Some common errors include:Incorrect passport expiry dateWrong passport numberUploading an outdated passport copyHow to fix it:Ensure that you verify every passport field before submitting your application. If your passport is nearing its expiry date, renew it first, before renewing your Emirates ID. When uploading a digital copy of your passport, ensure it is clear and valid, and no information has been cut off at the time of scanning.6. Required information is incompleteWhen filling up the application form for your Emirates ID, if you leave certain fields blank or submit incomplete information, it can create issues. According to the ICP, unclear residence information, incorrect contact details, and missing data points, are among the reasons why applications are returned.How to fix it:Review every section before submitting your application, including these crucial segments:Mobile phone numberEmail addressResidence informationSponsor detailsPassport details7. You did not respond to a modification requestSometimes, instead of a full rejection, the ICP may notify you that your Emirates ID has been returned for correction and updates. This ‘Returned for Modification’ notification usually occurs due to a data mismatch, incomplete documentation, or discrepancies between the information provided and supporting documents.The ICP may cancel the Emirates ID renewal if requested amendments are not completed within the specified timeframe conveyed to you in their SMS or email notification.How to fix it:Check your Emirates ID renewal status periodically after submission, and look out for updates from the ICP via text message or SMS.If you receive feedback showing your Emirates ID has been ‘Returned for Modification’, immediately make the requested changes and resubmit your application. You can do this via an ICP Customer Happiness Centre, or through the link provided in the email notification sent to you by the authority.8. Your contact details are incorrectThe ICP has specifically identified incorrect telephone numbers as a common problem that can delay processing of applicants’ Emirates IDs. If the authority is unable to contact or notify you regarding missing documents or appointment details, your application is likely to stall.How to fix it:Ensure your mobile number and email address are current and correct, before submitting the Emirates ID renewal application. To update your personal contact information with the ICP, follow these steps:Visit ICP Smart Services at smartservices.icp.gov.ae, and select ‘Public Services’. Log in with your UAE PASS.Select ‘Change Personal Information’. Next, select ‘Update Mobile Number’.Type in the accurate phone number. You will receive a one-time password (OTP), which will confirm the mobile number belongs to you. Once you validate your phone number, select ‘Submit’.When accepted, your new phone number will become part of your official records, and will be the primary number on which, you will receive notifications from the authorities.How can I check why my application was rejected?Usually, if your Emirates ID has been rejected, the ICP will notify you about its status via SMS or email.However, if you would like to be proactive and keep an eye on your application status, you can track your Emirates ID status on the ICP’s website or UAEICP app. The system will specify the problem and request corrective action, in most cases.
