How long does Emirates ID issuance take?

Standard service issues the card within 5–10 working days after biometric capture. Express service through ICP centres delivers in 24–48 hours for an additional fee. The card is collected from designated ICP service points.

Visa & Immigration

Emirates ID

National identity card every UAE resident must hold. Issued during the residence visa journey alongside visa stamping, and renewed when the trade license is renewed.

Also known as

UAE Identity Card
Federal Identity Card

Attributes

Issuing authority	Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
Legal basis	Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2017 on National Identity and Foreigners Affairs
Mandatory for	All UAE citizens and residents
Validity period	2-3 years (linked to visa validity)
Renewal trigger	Visa renewal or trade license renewal
Jurisdiction	United Arab Emirates
ISO country code	AE
Currency	AED

What it is

Emirates ID is the mandatory UAE national identity card issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Every UAE resident — citizen, GCC national, or foreign resident — must hold a valid Emirates ID. It carries a unique 15-digit identification number, biometrics, and digital signature, and acts as the de-facto access key to government services, banking, telecom, healthcare, and most private services.

The card is issued during the residency visa journey after biometric capture at an ICP centre, and renewed when the residency visa renews.

Key characteristics

Issuer: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
Required of: Every UAE resident
Validity: Tied to residency visa duration
Digital twin: UAE Pass uses Emirates ID as the underlying identity

How it works

Apply for or renew your residence visa through your employer, free zone, or family sponsor. 2. Submit your Emirates ID application via the ICP website, mobile app, or an authorised typing centre. 3. Visit an ICP-approved biometric centre to provide fingerprints and a digital photograph. 4. Pay the applicable fees, which vary by service speed and validity duration. 5. Receive an SMS notification when the card is ready for collection at the designated ICP centre or delivered to your address. 6. Carry the Emirates ID at all times as proof of legal residency and identity.

Examples

A software engineer relocating to Dubai on an employment visa receives their Emirates ID after completing medical tests and biometric enrolment at an ICP centre in Al Jafiliya. A free zone investor renewing their three-year residence visa must simultaneously renew their Emirates ID before the expiry date to maintain valid status. A family-sponsored spouse uses their Emirates ID to register with a health insurance provider and open a personal bank account. A mainland LLC employee who allows their Emirates ID to expire faces daily fines and cannot pass through immigration at UAE airports until renewal is completed.

Why it matters

No Emirates ID, no UAE life — banking, telecom, real estate, healthcare, and almost every government portal demand it. Renewal lapses block residency renewals and trigger fines starting at AED 20 per day.

Common misconceptions

Misconception
The Emirates ID and residence visa are the same document
Reality
The Emirates ID is a separate physical card; the residence visa is a stamp or electronic permit in the passport, though both are processed together
Misconception
You can live in the UAE without an valid Emirates ID
Reality
Carrying a valid Emirates ID is legally mandatory for all residents; absence can result in fines and service denial
Misconception
Emirates ID renewal can be done entirely online without visiting a centre
Reality
Biometric capture at an ICP-approved centre is still required for most renewals

FAQs

How long does Emirates ID issuance take?: Standard service issues the card within 5–10 working days after biometric capture. Express service through ICP centres delivers in 24–48 hours for an additional fee. The card is collected from designated ICP service points.