UAE: Here’s an updated guide on how to apply for an Emirates ID

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PHOTO BY ARCHIVE

Quick guide: How to apply for Emirates ID

The Emirates ID is an identity card issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP).

It is a legal requirement for all UAE citizens and residents to apply for one and carry it with them at all times.

The Emirates ID is used to get government services and to vote in the elections of the Federal National Council.

It is also used as a travel document for UAE citizens to travel within the GCC and as a document to pass immigration through the eGates and smart gates at several airports in the UAE.

To become a resident of the UAE, one must first enter the country on an entry permit, start your visa application process, get a medical fitness test, and apply for your Emirates ID.

In an announcement made earlier this year, ICP stated that Emirates IDs would become the primary proof of residency, taking the place of the visa sticker on residents’ passports.

Listed below is a detailed guide on how to complete the Emirates ID application process:

1. Submit an application for a new Emirates ID

You can apply for a new Emirates ID card in two ways:

– Online, through the ICP website – icp.gov.ae
– Through an accredited typing center or an Amer center, which has an ICP section. Amer centers process visa applications on behalf of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.

Applicants will then be required to provide their passport and entry permit details in an application form.

2. Pay the fees
The next step is to make the necessary payment for the service and card fee, the total amount of which is determined by the type of visa for which you are requesting.

If you have a one-year visa, the cost for the Emirates ID is approximately Dh370 (as of January 2023).

3. Visit an ICP center for your biometric scan
The next step is to visit an ICP customer happiness center to have your fingerprints scanned and added to the Emirates ID database.

This procedure is only required for first-time applicants.

4. Collect your Emirates ID
Applicants can track the status of their Emirates ID application with ICP. Once the Emirates ID has been issued, you will receive an SMS from ICP informing you of the post office location you need to visit to collect your Emirates ID. BKM/ Expat Media

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