All about Emirates ID in the UAE

Every UAE resident and citizen knows about the Emirates ID, the legal identity card in the country. 

Below is a Guide that will help you find out documents required, application fees and processing time with our in-depth guide of Emirates ID.  

WHAT IS THE EMIRATES ID?

The Emirates ID, also referred to as the UAE ID Card, is an identification card that is issued by the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) in the UAE. The Emirates ID acts as a portable personal database and it is mandatory for all UAE citizens and residents. All the people living in the UAE are required to apply and carry their card with them at all times. An Emirates ID card contains a 15-digit identity number which is assigned to the cardholder forever, an electronic chip with the holder’s personal data (including finger biometrics) and the holder’s photo on the card.

Read the original Article here

WHAT DO YOU NEED AN EMIRATES ID FOR?

Aside from being the legal identity card for citizens and residents, the UAE ID card is needed to avail various governmental and non-governmental services, such as applying for phone and internet connection, opening bank accounts, paying your DEWA bills, registering your vehicle, paying traffic fines and much more.

There are also many Emirates ID benefits that card holders can take advantage of. For instance, card holders can use the Smart Gates across the Dubai International Airport terminals to complete passport control procedures in seconds. Another one of the benefits of having Emirates ID is that holders can use their card to request a credit report at the Al Etihad Credit Bureau customer service centres.

WHAT IS THE EMIRATES ID VALIDITY?

The validity of Emirates ID differs for expat residents, UAE Nationals and GCC Nationals.

• Expat Residents: 1 to 3 years (depending on the validity of residence visa)
• UAE Nationals: 5 or 10 years
• GCC Nationals: 5 years

HOW TO APPLY FOR NEW EMIRATES ID CARD?

Here is a comprehensive guide to applying for Emirates ID for expat residents

WHERE CAN EXPATS APPLY FOR A NEW EMIRATES ID?

For new expat residents (other than GCC Nationals), either the company sponsoring them may apply for the Emirates ID on their behalf, or they can apply by themselves through approved typing centres across the UAE.

Expat residents can apply for an Emirates ID online for their dependents (spouse or children) through the FAIC website or Smart App, but that is only after their own Emirates ID has been issued (which must be done through a typing centre).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR EMIRATES ID APPLICATION FOR EXPATS

Below are the documents needed to apply for Emirates ID for UAE residents:

• Original passport
• Original valid residency or entry permit

For Emirates ID applications for newborns or those under the age of 15, the following documents are also required:

• Personal photo with white background
• Original birth certificate OR father’s passport or Emirates ID
• Passport and visa of the sponsor of the applicant (only for newborns)

EMIRATES ID APPLICATION FEES FOR EXPATS

The Emirates ID cost for expats depends on the number of years the card is valid for, with AED 100 charged for each year. There will also be additional charges for service fees, which will differ for typing offices and smart apps. Take a look below at the cost of applying for a new Emirates ID card.

Typing Centre

• 1 Year Validity: AED 170
• 2 Years Validity: AED 270
• 3 Years Validity: AED 370

FAIC Website/Smart App

• 1 Year Validity: AED 140
• 2 Years Validity: AED 240
• 3 Years Validity: AED 340

EMIRATES ID APPLICATION PROCESS FOR EXPATS

Below is the procedure to apply for new Emirates ID for expats, if they are applying through a typing centre:

• Visit an approved typing centre to have your new Emirates ID application form filled out. Make sure to have the necessary documents listed with you, and once the application is completed, pay the appropriate fees.

• You will receive an SMS informing that your application has been received. Applicants above the age of 15 years may need to have their biometrics taken and will need to visit an approved Preventive Medicine Centre to have their photographs and fingerprints taken.

• Once these procedures are completed and your residency visa has been stamped, your application will begin to be processed. You will receive an account number through SMS which you can track your Emirates ID application status through the FAIC website.

• You will receive an SMS from Emirates Post notifying you when your card is ready for collection, which is typically five working days after your residency visa has been stamped. You will be required to visit the post office mentioned in your application to collect your new UAE identity card.

If you are applying for an Emirates ID for your dependents through the online channels such as FAIC website or Smart App, you will need to fill out the application form and pay the fees online instead of visiting the typing centre. After this, you can follow the same process as mentioned above.

Once the Emirates ID card expires, which will depend on the validity of the card, UAE citizens and residents have 30 days from the date of expiry to renew their ID card. After this period, there will be a late fine of AED 20 per day, which can go up to a maximum of AED 1,000.

WHERE CAN YOU RENEW YOUR EMIRATES ID?

The Emirates ID renewal process is the same as applying for a new ID card, including the service channels through which applicants can renew.

If an expatriate’s residence visa is already stamped and active when renewing the Emirates ID, they can do the renewal process through the FAIC service centres. This will allow them to have their renewed ID card issued 24 hours after the application. However, the urgent service fee will be charged for expats when renewing through FAIC centres:

• 1 Year Validity: AED 290
• 2 Years Validity: AED 390
• 3 Years Validity: AED 490

WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR EMIRATES ID RENEWAL?

The documents required for Emirates ID renewal for expats, UAE Nationals and GCC Nationals is nearly the same as that for first-time applicants. Applicants will also need to carry along their old ID card when going for the renewal process.

In the case of expat residents, instead of their entry permit, they will need to show their residency visa under renewal when renewing their ID card as well.

WHAT IS THE EMIRATES ID RENEWAL COST?

The Emirates ID renewal fees are the same as that for first-time applicants, which varies depending on the validity of the card, method of application and whether the cardholder is an expat or UAE/GCC National. Please take a look at the application costs above to find out the Emirates ID renewal charges.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR EMIRATES ID RENEWAL?

Want to know how to renew your Emirates ID? The renewal process for the UAE ID card requires the same steps as that for first-time applications and has the same processing time as well.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU LOSE YOUR EMIRATES ID?

Part of the UAE ID card replacement process is having your biometrics taken

If your UAE ID card has been lost, stolen or damaged, there are specific steps that need to be taken to replace your ID card. Find out what to do if you need to replace your Emirates ID card below:

• Firstly, the cardholder should report the stolen or lost Emirates ID incident at the police station, although this is not mandatory.
• Then, the cardholder can apply for an Emirates ID replacement through the FAIC service centre or an approved typing centre. However, if someone is applying for a replacement ID card for their dependants, they can do so via the FAIC website or smart app. The applicants may also be required to have their biometrics taken. 
• Pay the appropriate fees for the replacement application.
• If applying through the FAIC service centre, applicants will receive their replacement ID card 24 hours from application. Otherwise, the replacement Emirates ID will be issued within 5 working days.

The following documents will be required when applying for a replacement ID card:

• Expat residents: original passport stamped with a residency visa
• UAE nationals: original passport and family book (when applying through typing centre or online, no documents required when visiting FAIC centre)
• GCC nationals: original passport, Unified Identification Number, original GCC ID card and proof of residency

For applicants below the age of 15 years, they will also require a personal photograph with white background, original birth certificate OR father’s passport or Emirates ID. For GCC national applicants below 15 years, they will need their father’s GCC ID card.

EMIRATES ID REPLACEMENT FEES

The Emirates ID replacement cost will differ based on where the application was submitted and is the same for expat residents, UAE and GCC nationals:

• FAIC website or smart app: AED 340
• Typing centre: AED 370
• FAIC Centre: AED 490

HOW TO CHECK YOUR ID CARD STATUS?

Want to check the status for Emirates ID renewal, replacement or application? You can do so with these following steps:

• Visit the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship website
• On the homepage, select the option for ‘ID Card Status’
• To check application status, enter the application (PRAN) number, or your Emirates ID number to check renewal or replacement status. 

EMIRATES ID CONTACT NUMBER

If you any more questions regarding the Emirates ID card, you can contact the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship at 600-522222.

Source: bayut.com/mybayut/all-about-emirates-id