Emirates ID Card

As part of the nationwide project to register the UAE population, citizens and residents, the population register programme, the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) introduced the Emirates ID card to facilitate the registration of personal data for the whole population in the country while saving the same in a secure and centralised database for the benefit of the population register initiative.

Holding a valid ID card is mandatory for all UAE citizens and legal residents of 15 years and above, and delay in obtaining or renewing the ID card will be fined. For UAE residents and citizens, the Emirates ID card holds several benefits since it is an easy way of identification required to access governmental and non-governmental e-Services. For the UAE and GCC citizens, the Emirates ID card furthermore functions as a passport-alternative when commuting between the GCC member states.

Obtaining Emirates ID Card for Employees and Students

Several government employers organise the registration for the Emirates ID cards for their employees. The Emirates Identity Authority offers special services for companies, private or government, to collect the legal information on each employee and make the necessary appointments at the Authority’s service centres to take photo and fingerprint data. In that case, the HR department of a company is responsible for collecting the passports of the employees in order to submit the necessary eForm.

For new expatriate employees, as well as those who are in the process of renewing their current residence visas, the Emirates ID Card is now directly linked to their residence visa application. In this case, the employees can complete the pre-registration process either by filling up the eForm online or from one of the authorised typing offices and then visit an EIDA service point located within the Disease Prevention & Screening Centres in Abu Dhabi for completing the registration process.

Individual registration for the Emirates ID Card

In many cases, individuals will have to undertake the application for the Emirates ID card independently. The procedure is easy and convenient for all applicants and their families.

The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) provides an online registration service via EIDA website for those who want to apply for an ID card for the first time, renew an existing one, replace a lost or damaged one, or check the status of their ID card application from the convenience of their home. In order to use this service, users need to create an EIDA account with a user name and password, which allows them to fill up the eForm for themselves and for their families and also to pay the registration fee using their credit cards.

In addition, typing centres throughout Abu Dhabi Emirate are legally entitled to enter the required data and submit the application. The applicant’s passport has to be presented at the typing centre and the necessary process fee has to be paid. At this stage of the application, however, personal attendance is not required.

After having submitted the application through an eForm, the Emirates Identity Authority will contact the applicant via an SMS with an appointment date at an Emirates ID service point in order to obtain the additional data including fingerprinting and photographing. Should the suggested appointment be inconvenient for the applicant, or in order to schedule a joint appointment for several family members, the applicant may contact the customer support at Emirates Identity Authority to reschedule the appointment.

The Emirates ID service points

The Emirates ID service points are outlets of the Emirates Identity Authority spread over Abu Dhabi Emirate, at which competent staff takes face photos of the applicants as well as fingerprinting data. The procedure is quick and easy, and exclusive facilities for ladies are provided.

After having submitted all required data, the applicant can either track the status of the ID card delivery online or wait for an alert SMS by the Authority. As soon as the ID card is ready, it can be collected from the Emirates Post after showing the applicant's passport.

Fee Structure

The registration fee for UAE nationals for a period of five years and the GCC citizens for each five-year of residence is  DHS 100/- for all age groups, in addition to  DHS 70/- fees for the additional services, including  DHS 30/- in case of registration through typing offices and DHS 40/- for the company operating the registration system. 

As for expatriates, the registration fee is DHS 100/- for each year of residence for all age groups, plus the applicable service charges. For instance, a 3yrs valid residence will cost you AED 340 + AED 30(Typing Center Fees).
                                              (Fee Particulars updated as of 27th March 2013)

Using the Emirates ID Card

After receiving the card, read the instructions on how to change and activate the PIN when using the card reader. With the card reader, government e-Services become easily accessible from home, and the card holders can upgrade their existing “My Abu Dhabi” profiles on the Abu Dhabi eGovernment Gateway to user with ID Card or to user with ID Card and PIN accordingly.

The Emirates ID Card is a legal document which requires the holder to carry at all times. Any changes in details stored on the card have to be brought to the notice of the Emirates Identity Authority within a month from the date of change. Likewise, the timely renewal of the card, or the replacement of a damaged ID card lies within the duties of the card holder.

In order to prevent identity theft and secure all information stored on the card, all card holders are legally required to report loss or theft of their ID cards as soon as possible.