Do you know your Emirates ID status? Your Emirates ID is your key to easier living in the UAE. Everything from housing to travel to government services and even paying traffic fines depends on it.
Here’s your guide on how to do an Emirates ID card status check and how to check your Emirates ID card. Learn how to log onto the ICA smart services website portal to check your application status and validity.
[virtuzone_banner id=setup-guide]
Keeping Your Emirates ID Status In Order
It’s more important than you think! Your Emirates ID number is a document that all United Arab Emirates residents must carry.
How Do I Organise My Emirates ID Status?
Your Emirates ID number and ID status are issued after your residency visa is stamped in your passport. It is valid for the same period as your visa. By submitting your information online with UAE Immigration, the application is quick and easy. This means you can acquire your Visa faster. To do so, you may want to consider using the ICA Smart Services, which is an online system that allows you to register your arrival and departure information.
When Do I Use My Emirates ID?
Your Emirates ID is an important piece of identification. It is used for a variety of reasons, many of which are key in everyday life. An Emirates ID number is extremely important for more reasons than you would think! It is very important that you check your Emirates ID status.
Any personal or professional activities conducted in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi and free zone regions including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah will require the use of an Emirates ID.
These include:
- Organising a place to live (renting an apartment or house)
- Arrange vehicle registration
- When you apply for different government services like DEWA etc.
- Sponsoring dependents on your visa
- To vote in elections of the Federal National Council
- Opening bank accounts
- Paying utility and internet bills
- When travelling (entering the immigration e-gates at UAE airports)
Every individual in the UAE must have a valid Emirates ID card and check Emirates ID status. This includes UAE nationals, GCC nationals and expatriate residents.
How Can I Check the Validity of My Emirates ID?
Need to do an Emirates ID status check?
If you don’t know the expiry date listed on your Emirates ID/Visa, don’t worry – you’re not alone. However, it pays to check if you’re not sure. It is simple to check your Emirates ID card status, by clicking on this link.
Emirates ID Application – Made Easy with VZ
If you have applied for or are renewing your identity card, don’t sit around waiting for an update. You can manage your Emirates ID online and track your Emirates ID application status from your laptop or smartphone. To track it, all you need is your Emirates ID tracking number or the registration application number (this is on the application form). Simple!
3 Quick and Easy Steps to Check Your Emirates ID Status
1. If you’re here in the UAE, simply head to the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) website. Once you are on the ICA website, look for the section titled Check ID status menu option (it’s there on the right side of the landing page).
2. Type in your Application Number or Emirates ID number (without the hyphen).
3. Your Emirates ID application status will then appear in a popup box.
If you would prefer to check your Emirates ID status via phone, call the authority on 600 522222.
How Do I Apply For My Emirates ID?
You can apply for your ID card during your UAE visa application. Virtuzone can help make the process quicker and easier. We’re here to help with the entire Emirates ID application process if you need it.
If you have never held an identity card or identity number, you can visit the official website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (FAICS) to apply for a new Emirates ID card. Although this is the official website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) to apply for a new Emirates ID card online, you will need to visit one of ICP’s service centres to provide your biometric details.
You can apply for a fast-tracked Emirates ID card through the ICP website, which will provide you with your card in 24 hours. This will incur an additional fee.
How Much Will My Emirates ID Cost?
The cost of your UAE residence visa will include your Emirates ID expenses. While the actual cost will vary based on the Emirate you select and the issuing authority, prices normally range between 2,500 AED and 7,000 AED.
The cost of your ID card depends on how long it remains valid:
| Emirates ID validity | Cost |
| 1-year validity | 170 AED |
| 2 years validity | 270 AED |
| 3 years validity | 370 AED |
Application For An Entry Permit
1. Entry Permits
Entry Permits are normally issued for company owners who have previously set up a business in the UAE and for employees of a UAE-based company. Your entry permit is an electronic document that is attached to your residence visa and is valid for 60 days. During this period, you must perform a medical check and apply for your Emirates ID. Upon completion of these steps, your resident visa will be stamped into your passport.
2. Medical Check
A Medical check is a mandatory procedure after the entry permit is issued and can be done at any Preventive Medicine Center. The clinic will test for AIDS, Hep B and Tuberculosis. If you are given a clean bill of health, you can go ahead with your visa application. If you are suspected to have any of those diseases, extra tests will be carried out. If you return a positive result for any of these conditions, you will not be issued with a UAE resident visa.
3. Application for Emirates ID
You can apply for your ID card at any Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship office. For your convenience, many offices are located alongside Preventive Medicine Centres.
During the application process, identity documents such as your birth certificate and passport may be required. At the Emirates Identity Authority service centre, you will undergo eye scans and fingerprint scans. This biometric data will be retained in the Authority’s system so you won’t need to repeat this step when it comes time for your Emirates ID renewal.
4. UAE Visa Stamping
The final step involved in gaining UAE residency is getting your UAE visa stamped into your passport. Most visas are valid for 3 years. However, you may be given a 2-year visa in selected free zones or Mainland, or if you are an employee of a company. Read this article for more information on visa renewal in Dubai.
When you apply for your Emirates ID, is it important you ensure its validity is the same as that of your visa.
| Visa validity | 3 years | Emirates ID validity | 3 years |
[virtuzone_banner id=cost-calculator]
When Will I Receive My Emirates ID Card?
You should receive your ID card 7-10 days after your visa is stamped into your passport.
You will receive updates via SMS during the processing of your ID. When it is ready, you can collect it from one of the Emirates post branches listed.
How Do I Renew My Emirates ID?
Once your ID has expired, the government offers a 30-day grace period for renewal. You will be sent SMS reminders during this period. After 30 days, late renewal fines of AED 20/day will apply (the maximum fine is 1000 AED). To check for fines, visit the Abu Dhabi Police official website and click on ‘public services’.
If you wish to renew your Emirates ID, click on this link and follow the 4 steps on the ICP website. Once you click on ‘start service’, you will be guided with prompts to help you renew your Emirates ID card. You won’t need to update your biometrics data as you will have done this on your previous application.
The 4 steps will include:
- Register
- Apply and pay fees
- Issue residency
- Receive ID card
Importantly, you have to submit this to the free zone where your visa was issued or to the Immigration Authority (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) if your visa was issued under a mainland company. Upon renewal, your ID will be issued and sent to an Emirates Post branch.
On the ICP website, there is the option of the express ID replacement service if you need your card back within 24 hours (for an additional fee).
How Do I Cancel My Emirates ID?
If your circumstances change, you can choose to cancel your ID.
Reasons for cancellation could include:
- A change of job or setting up a business in Dubai and getting a new UAE residency visa
- You are leaving the UAE permanently
- Your personal circumstances have changed
Whatever your reason, the process is easy. Just as your Emirates ID and Residency Visa are linked at the application stage, they are at the cancellation stage too. To do this, simply surrender your card to your employer or the Immigration Authority when you submit your passport for visa cancellation.
Why Does My Emirates ID Have Such A Long Number?
The unique 15-digit number on your Emirates ID card contains critical information which applies only to you.
This information is divided into 4 parts:
- 1st section: this is identical on all cards and represents the UAE international code of 784
- 2nd section: this usually matches your year of birth. However, this is not the case on all cards
- 3rd section: this is a randomly generated number
- 4th section: this single digit is a verification number from 0 to 9
Your Emirates ID number is personal and stays with you for life (even if you cease to be a United Arab Emirates resident by cancelling your UAE residence Visa and returning years later). It cannot be altered or amended.
What Happens If I Lose My Emirates ID Card?
If you ever lose your Emirates ID card, you should immediately do the following:
- Attend a police station and file a report. The cost of filing a report is 70 AED.
- Contact the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship about your lost card within 7 days of losing it. You can file a replacement online for a lost or damaged ID card by clicking on this link and following the prompts. You must presently be in the UAE to file for this replacement.
- Visit any office of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and order a new card. The cost of this is 300 AED plus a 70 AED application fee (in person) or 300 AED plus a 40 AED application fee (online). This should take 5 days.
- Pick up your new card at any Emirates Post Office.
Please note if you lose your ID card whilst abroad, you should inform the UAE embassy in the country you are in immediately and visit the Emirates ID’s nearest services centre as soon as you return to the UAE to apply for a replacement card via an approved typing centre.
Similar to renewing your Emirates ID card promptly, you can use the express ID replacement service if you need your replacement card back within 24 hours. This will incur an additional fee.
An Important Thing to Know About Your Emirates ID Card
We’ve made the process of obtaining your Emirates ID as simple and straightforward as possible. If you apply personally, it will be linked to your visa processing which helps expedite the whole process. If you have an Employment Visa, the application will be done by your employer.
Emirates ID – Made Even Easier with Virtuzone
If you have a Freelance Visa or your own business, you can apply yourself. Alternatively, you can hire a business setup consultancy company like Virtuzone to save you the hassle. With Virtuzone, there’s less running around, fewer meetings and way less paperwork.
And don’t forget – whatever your plans, you can always check your Emirates ID status at www.ica.gov.ae.
Emirates ID FAQ’s:
How can I get an Emirates ID card?
You can apply for your Emirates ID card on the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) website.
How can I check if my Emirates ID Card is ready?
Simply go on the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) website and input your application Number or Emirates ID number.
How much does an Emirates ID card cost?
The cost of your Emirates ID card will depend on how long you want it to be valid. 1 year costs 170 AED, 2 years costs 270 AED and 3 years costs 370 AED.
