Emirates ID: How to Get One (Process & Cost)
The Emirates ID is the single most important document you will hold as a UAE resident — more useful day-to-day than your passport. You need it to open a bank account, sign a tenancy, get a driving licence, register a SIM card and access government services. Without it, you are effectively locked out of normal life in Dubai. Fortunately, getting one is a straightforward process that runs alongside your residence visa.
The short answer
Your Emirates ID is applied for together with your residence visa: after the medical fitness test, you complete biometrics at an ICP service centre, and the card is issued — now often digital-first via the UAE Pass app, with the physical card following. Cost is AED 100 per year of visa validity plus typing and service fees, totalling roughly AED 300–500 for a 2-year visa. Late renewal carries a fine of AED 20 per day.
What the Emirates ID is
Issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Emirates ID is a mandatory identity card for all UAE residents — citizens and expats alike. It carries your photo, personal details and a unique 15-digit identity number that follows you across every government system: immigration, health, banking, licensing and more. Increasingly, the digital version in the UAE Pass app is accepted wherever the physical card is, and many services now verify you through UAE Pass directly.
The process, step by step
The Emirates ID application is bundled with your residence visa — you don’t apply for it separately:
- Entry and visa typing — your sponsor (employer, free zone or family sponsor) types the residence visa application. The Emirates ID application is filed at the same time.
- Medical fitness test — blood test and chest X-ray at a DHA-approved medical centre. Results usually come within a day or two.
- Biometrics at an ICP centre — fingerprints, photo and signature captured in person. Book an appointment or walk in, depending on the centre.
- Approval and issuance — once the visa is approved, your Emirates ID is issued. The digital version appears in the UAE Pass app, often before the physical card arrives.
- Physical card delivery — sent to your registered address or available for collection, usually within a week of approval.
Documents you need: original passport, entry permit or visa, passport-size photos (to UAE specifications), and your sponsor’s documents where applicable. Typing centres will tell you exactly what’s missing — use one if you’re self-sponsoring.
What it costs
| Item | Typical cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Emirates ID fee (AED 100 × visa years) | 200 (2-year visa) / 300 (3-year) / 500 (5-year Green visa) |
| Typing / service centre fees | 70–150 |
| Total for a 2-year visa | ~300–500 |
Employers normally cover this as part of your visa costs. If you’re self-sponsoring (freelancer, investor, family sponsor), it’s one line item in your total setup budget — see how much money you need to move to Dubai for the full picture.
What you need it for
Practically everything official in Dubai runs through the Emirates ID:
- Opening and operating a bank account
- Signing a tenancy and registering Ejari
- Getting or converting a driving licence
- Registering a SIM card in your name
- Accessing government services via UAE Pass
- Health insurance and hospital registration — your policy must be active before the visa is finalised; the cheapest compliant plans start at around AED 650/year
- School enrollment for children
Keep the physical card with you — police and officials can ask to see it — and keep the UAE Pass app set up on your phone as backup.
Renewal and fines
Your Emirates ID is tied to your residence visa: when the visa renews, the ID renews with it, and you repeat biometrics if required. Key rules:
- Renew together with your visa — the processes are linked, so one renewal appointment usually covers both.
- Late renewal fine: AED 20 per day, capped at AED 1,000. The grace period is short, so don’t let it slide.
- Lost or damaged card: report it and apply for a replacement (around AED 300) — don’t wait, since daily life depends on it.
- Details changed? (new passport, name change) — update the ID record promptly to avoid mismatches at banks and government counters.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Delaying biometrics — your whole visa timeline stalls until biometrics are done. Book the appointment in week one.
- Not downloading UAE Pass — the digital ID is increasingly the version people actually check. Set it up the day your ID is issued.
- Wrong address on file — the physical card is delivered to your registered address; an old or temporary address means a lost card and a reissue fee.
- Letting it expire — the AED 20/day fine adds up fast, and an expired ID blocks banking, travel and visa services.
Related guides: Moving to Dubai · How to Open a Bank Account in Dubai as an Expat
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FAQs
How long does it take to get an Emirates ID?
Typically 1–2 weeks from biometrics to card delivery, though the digital version in the UAE Pass app is often available sooner. The timeline depends on your visa processing.
How much does an Emirates ID cost?
AED 100 per year of visa validity plus typing/service fees — roughly AED 300–500 total for a standard 2-year visa. Employers usually cover it.
Can I use the digital Emirates ID instead of the physical card?
Increasingly, yes. The UAE Pass app’s digital ID is accepted for most government and many private-sector verifications, but carry the physical card too — some situations still require it.
What happens if my Emirates ID expires?
You face a fine of AED 20 per day (up to AED 1,000), and an expired ID blocks banking, government services and travel. Renew it together with your residence visa.
Do children need an Emirates ID?
Yes — every resident, including newborns, needs one. Children’s applications follow the same visa-linked process, with biometrics requirements varying by age.