The Emirates ID is the UAE's mandatory identity card for citizens and residents, issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Residents usually apply as part of getting their residence visa, give fingerprints if aged 15 or over, and pay AED 100 per year of residence plus a service fee.
It depends on
The card is tied to your residence permit, and cancelling the visa also cancels the card.
Applicants aged 15 and over must give fingerprints and a signature at an ICP service centre.
Residents pay the card fee for each year of residence, so a longer permit means a higher fee.
Who needs it
Every resident of the UAE needs an Emirates ID, whether they arrive on an employment visa, a remote work visa, a retirement permit or a Golden Visa. Children who are residents need one too. The card carries a permanent personal identity number, must be carried at all times, and is used to access government services, some private-sector services and the automated immigration gates at UAE airports. For people coming from Germany, it plays a role similar to registering with the residents' office (Anmeldung) plus a national ID card.
How it works
- 1
Secure your residence permit
Your employer, family sponsor or you yourself start the residence visa process. Your passport must be valid for at least three months for the ID application.
- 2
Submit the ID application
Apply through the ICP website or app or an accredited typing centre, usually together with the residence application, with an ICAO-standard photo.
- 3
Give your biometrics
If you are 15 or older, book an appointment at an ICP service centre for fingerprints and signature.
- 4
Receive the card
ICP lists a processing time of five days once the application is complete.
- 5
Report changes and losses
Report changes to personal data such as a new passport, and report a lost card within seven days.
within 30 days of a data change - 6
Renew with your residence
Renew when your residence permit is renewed; applying more than one month after expiry triggers a daily fine.
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates ID fee (residents) | AED 100 per year of residence plus AED 100 smart service fee; urgent service AED 15023 | |
| Smart service fee | AED 100 per year of residence plus AED 100 smart service fee; urgent service AED 15023 | |
| Urgent service (service centres only) | AED 100 per year of residence plus AED 100 smart service fee; urgent service AED 15023 | |
| Late renewal fine | AED 20 per day, capped at AED 1,00013 |
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates ID: obligation | Mandatory for all UAE citizens and residents; must be carried at all times | 1 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| Emirates ID (residents): fees | AED 100 per year of residence plus AED 100 smart service fee; urgent service AED 150 | 23 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| Emirates ID: biometrics, passport validity and processing time | Fingerprints and signature from age 15; passport valid for at least 3 months; processing time 5 days | 21 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| Emirates ID: late renewal fine | AED 20 per day, capped at AED 1,000 | 13 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| Emirates ID: reporting deadlines | Changes to personal data within 30 days (late: AED 20 per day, capped at AED 1,000); lost card within 7 days | 12 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| UAE: tax residency tests for individuals (Cabinet Decision No. 85 of 2022) | Primary residence and centre of interests in the UAE; or 183+ days in 12 consecutive months; or 90+ days with a residence permit (or UAE/GCC nationality) plus a permanent place of residence or employment/business in the UAE | 56 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| UAE Tax Residency Certificate (individual without a Corporate Tax TRN): fee | AED 1,050 (AED 50 submission + AED 1,000 review and certificate) | 4 | checked 15 October 2026 |
Common mistakes
- Letting the card expire for more than a month, which leads to a daily fine of up to AED 1,000.
- Forgetting to update the card after getting a new German passport, which must be reported within 30 days.
- Uploading the same photo that is printed on the current card when renewing, which ICP does not accept.
- Treating the Emirates ID as a travel document; it replaces a passport for GCC travel only for UAE citizens.
- Leaving the UAE for good without cancelling the residence visa, which leaves the residence file and the linked ID open.
FAQ
How long is an Emirates ID valid for residents?
For residents, the card follows the residence permit: you pay AED 100 for each year of residence, and the card is cancelled when the residence visa is cancelled. Citizens receive cards with fixed terms instead. When you renew your residence permit, renew the Emirates ID at the same time to avoid late fines.
Do my children need an Emirates ID?
Yes. The Emirates ID is mandatory for all residents, including children sponsored on a parent's visa. Children under 15 do not need to give fingerprints at a service centre, so the process is usually simpler. The application is submitted by the parent or legal guardian who sponsors the child.
What should I do if I lose my Emirates ID?
Report the loss within seven days and apply for a replacement through ICP's channels or a typing centre. Until the new card arrives, keep your passport with the residence visa details available, as many services ask for the Emirates ID number.
Do I need an Emirates ID for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate?
In practice, yes. The Federal Tax Authority lists the Emirates ID among the documents for a Tax Residency Certificate, together with an official entry and exit report. Individuals qualify, for example, after at least 183 days in the UAE within 12 consecutive months. The certificate costs AED 1,050 for individuals without a Corporate Tax registration number.
Sources
- The UAE Government portal (u.ae), Emirates ID (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), New Identity Card Issuance (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), Identity Card Renewal (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Federal Tax Authority (UAE), Issuance of Tax Certificates for Tax Residency (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Federal Tax Authority (UAE), Cabinet Decision No. 85 of 2022 on the Determination of Tax Residency (opens in a new tab)Law · checked 15 October 2026
- Ministry of Finance (UAE), Following Cabinet Decision 85 of 2022 (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
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