Dubai: If there’s one card you require in the UAE, it’s your Emirates ID.If you’re new to the country, learn how to apply for one and ensure you have access to everything, from government services to banks and healthcare.What is an Emirates ID?The Emirates ID is a mandatory, government issued identity card for all UAE citizens and residents. It features a unique identification number that becomes your national identity. The Emirates ID is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and acts as your primary proof of identity and legal residency in the country.Learn all about the ID’s key features and how it keeps your biometric data safe.What do I use it for?One of the primary functions of the Emirates ID is that it is required for setting up your digital identity, the UAE PASS, which permits you access to government portals and services online.The Emirates ID also unlocks a host of services at diverse institutions in the UAE, from business, property rental, banking, telecommunications and educational services, to healthcare and hassle-free travel at the airport.Without this vital ID card, you cannot access many official processes in the UAE, such as opening a bank account, applying for a driver’s licence, or registering your child for school. So, it’s important for expatriates to apply for an Emirates ID as soon as you become a resident. Since the card is linked to residents’ visas, it’s also important to renew it when your residence visa expires.Additionally, the Emirates ID can get you discounts at a wide range of recreational and hospitality locations around the country, from museums to hotels. It’s a card with enormous benefits for residents, and vital for living – and thriving – in the UAE.Who should apply for an Emirates ID?The Emirates ID is proof that you are residing in the UAE legally. Therefore, UAE citizens, GCC citizens, and expat residents with a valid visa must apply for the Emirates ID, according to the ICP. The ID card is issued for the same duration as your visa.Here are the categories of people who require an Emirates ID:UAE nationals: The Emirates ID is renewed based on national registry updates.Employed expatriates: Residents who are sponsored by a UAE company or free zone entity.Family members: Spouses, parents, or children who are sponsored by the primary UAE resident.Self-sponsored residents: These include investors, freelancers, and Golden Visa holders.Domestic workers: Employees sponsored by a UAE national or resident.Newborns: The Emirates ID is a requirement even before the child can provide biometrics (fingerprints are collected only from age 15 onward).When should I apply for the Emirates ID?According to Smart Salem, which are service centres that are licenced by Dubai Health and offer medical fitness and preventative healthcare services in the city, the Emirates ID application form must be initiated only after your residency visa application is underway (since the ID card is linked to your visa status), and it must be submitted before you undergo the medical fitness test and biometric fingerprinting process.This is so that, once you are declared ‘fit’ to live and work in the country, your biometrics have been captured, and your visa has been stamped, your results are uploaded automatically via the government system, and your Emirates ID is seamlessly processed and issued.How to apply for the Emirates IDFollow these steps to acquire an Emirates ID, if you are an expat resident in the UAE:Step 1: Begin your residence visa processApply for your residence visa in the UAE. Your employer or sponsor is responsible for this step, unless you are on a self-sponsored visa. Before your medical fitness test, gather your documents and fill in the Emirates ID application form for submission.Step 2: Gather your documentsBefore filling in your ICP application for an Emirates ID, ensure you have the requisite documents prepared ahead of time. Applicants require the following documents, according to the ICP:Original passportValid UAE residence visa, or entry permit for first-time applicantsPassport-sized photograph that meets ICP specifications, taken in the last three monthsStep 3: Submit the ICP applicationNow, you are ready to apply for an Emirates ID. You can fill in the application form online, or via a registered typing centre, or an authorised service point.OnlineFollow these steps to apply online:Visit ICP’s official portal, icp.gov.ae, or download the UAEICP app via Apple App Store or Google Play Store.Navigate to ‘Services’, and select ‘New Identity Card Issuance’. Click ‘Start Service’.Fill in the application form with your personal details and passport information.Upload required documents, such as your passport copy and photograph.Confirm your address for Emirates ID delivery via courier service.Pay the fees.You will receive a text message confirming the submission of your application. From your ICP dashboard ‘Export’ the application to download it onto your device. You can now print it out – the application is required when you visit a service centre for biometric data capture.Cost: Dh100 for each year the visa/Emirates ID is valid, and Dh100 Smart Service fee. Additional fees may apply depending on whether you select expedited processing.In-personIf you would like to apply for the Emirates ID in person, visit an ICP Customer Happiness Centre, or an authorised service point, like an Amer Centre in Dubai.Take the required documents to the centre, where the staff will enter your details and print the application for you.To see the full list of ICP Customer Happiness Centre locations, visit: icp.gov.ae/en/customer-happiness-centers.Step 4: Complete your medical fitness test and biometric data captureRead our step-by-step guides on how to book a medical fitness test and a biometric appointment to complete the process for fingerprint capture and iris scan – a mandatory requirement for first-time applicants aged 15 years and above.Step 5: Receive your Emirates IDOnce approved, your Emirates ID card will be issued by the ICP and delivered via courier within five working days. If you would like more details, you can track your Emirates ID application online or call the ICP on its hotline – 600 522222 – to get further information on timelines, or other related queries.Have your Emirates ID in hand? You can now apply for a UAE PASS, and receive access to hundreds of establishments around the UAE, as you settle into resident life. Welcome home!
