Quick answer: Emirates ID services cover applying for, renewing, replacing, updating and checking the status of your Emirates ID card, all handled through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) or an approved typing centre. The government card fee depends on your visa length — AED 286 for a 2-year visa, AED 686 for 5 years and AED 1,186 for a 10-year or Golden Visa — with a small typing-centre service charge on top.
Key takeaways
- The Emirates ID is your official UAE identity card, linked to your residence visa and required for almost every government and banking transaction.
- Card fees scale with visa duration: AED 286 (2-year), AED 686 (5-year), AED 1,186 (10-year/Golden Visa) — there is no 1-year card.
- Apply, renew, replace and check status through ICP smart services (icp.gov.ae) or a registered typing centre.
- Renew within 30 days of expiry to avoid a daily late fine (capped).
- Keep your mobile number and address updated in ICP records, or you will miss renewal and status notifications.
What is an Emirates ID?
An Emirates ID is the official government-issued identity card that every UAE resident and citizen must hold, carrying your name, photo, nationality, Emirates ID number and a secure chip linking you to your residence file. It is issued and managed by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP), and its validity is tied directly to your residence visa — when the visa is renewed, the card is renewed with it.
You need your Emirates ID to open a bank account, sign a tenancy contract, register a SIM card, access healthcare, enrol children in school, and complete nearly every government service. If you are setting up a company and applying for an investor or employment visa, the Emirates ID is the final step in that process — our visa services team handles it end to end.
What Emirates ID services can I use?
There are five core Emirates ID services, and all of them can be started online through ICP or completed at an approved typing centre. Here is what each one covers.
| Service | What it does | Where |
|---|---|---|
| New application | First card, issued with a new residence visa | ICP / typing centre |
| Renewal | Renew an expiring card with a renewed visa | ICP smart services |
| Replacement | Reissue a lost, stolen or damaged card | ICP / typing centre |
| Status check | Track where your card is in production/delivery | ICP portal |
| Update details | Change mobile number, address, marital status, photo | ICP / typing centre |
The two most common are renewal and status checking. If you only want to track a card that is already being processed, see our dedicated guide on the Emirates ID status check. For everything else, read on.
How much does an Emirates ID cost in 2026?
The Emirates ID card fee is set by ICP and scales with the length of your residence visa — not a single flat price. These are exact government fees, and a typing centre may add a modest service charge on top.
| Card type | Government fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Emirates ID (2-year visa) | 286 |
| Emirates ID (5-year visa) | 686 |
| Emirates ID (10-year visa / Golden Visa) | 1,186 |
A few important points:
- There is no 1-year Emirates ID card. The shortest card runs two years, so AED 286 is the floor. Even if a freelance permit is sold as a one-year product, the residence visa and Emirates ID that come with it are still issued for two years.
- The fees above are the government portion only. A typing centre or PRO adds a separate service fee for processing — always ask to see the two figures stated separately.
- Urgent ("fawri") issuance is available at some ICP centres for an additional fee if you need the card faster.
- These are ICP-set fees and can change without notice; confirm the current amount on the ICP portal before you pay.
If your visa also needs medical insurance and stamping, the Emirates ID is one line item inside a larger visa cost — our PRO services team bundles the whole process so you are quoted one clear total.
How do I apply for or renew an Emirates ID? (step by step)
To apply for or renew an Emirates ID, submit the application through ICP smart services or a typing centre, pay the fee, complete biometrics if required, and collect the card. Here is the full process.
- Start the application. Log in to the ICP smart services portal or the ICP UAE app, or visit an approved typing centre. New residents usually apply as part of the visa-stamping process; renewals can be done fully online.
- Enter your details. Provide your visa file number, passport details and Unified Number (UID). For a renewal, the system pulls your existing record.
- Pay the fee. Pay the government fee matching your visa duration (AED 286 / 686 / 1,186), plus any service charge.
- Give biometrics if requested. First-time applicants and some renewals must attend an ICP service centre for fingerprints and a photo. Many renewals no longer require a fresh biometric visit.
- Track the status. Use the ICP portal to follow production and delivery. Our status-check guide walks through the exact screens.
- Collect or receive the card. The card is delivered by Emirates Post to your registered address, or collected from the centre. This is why keeping your address current matters.
For a new resident, this happens after the medical test and visa stamping. If any earlier step is delayed, the Emirates ID waits behind it — which is why sequencing the whole visa correctly saves the most time.
How do I replace a lost or damaged Emirates ID?
To replace a lost, stolen or damaged Emirates ID, report it, submit a replacement application through ICP or a typing centre, pay the replacement fee, and collect the reissued card. You do not need to wait for your visa to expire to do this.
- Report a lost or stolen card promptly to protect against misuse.
- Apply for the replacement via ICP smart services or a typing centre, quoting your existing Emirates ID number.
- Pay the replacement fee (a card-issuance fee plus a lost-card fee where applicable) — confirm the exact amount on the ICP portal, as it depends on the card type and reason.
- The replacement carries the same expiry date as your current visa.
Because the replacement fee depends on the reason and card type, ICP displays the precise amount at checkout — we deliberately don't quote a fixed figure here, because it varies.
How do I update my mobile number or address?
To update your mobile number, address, marital status or photo on your Emirates ID record, use the ICP smart services portal or app, or visit a typing centre — most detail changes are free or carry only a small service fee. Keeping your mobile number current is the single most important update, because ICP sends renewal reminders and delivery notifications by SMS.
You can update:
- Mobile number and email
- Residential address
- Marital status and dependents
- Photo (a reissue fee applies as it means a new card)
This is also handled inside the ICP ecosystem — see our overview of ICP smart services for how the portal is structured.
Documents checklist
Have these ready before you start any Emirates ID service:
- Original passport (and a copy of the photo page)
- Valid or renewed residence visa
- Existing Emirates ID (for renewal, replacement or updates)
- Unified Number (UID) from your residence file
- Registered mobile number with UAE reception (for OTP verification)
- For dependents: sponsor's passport, visa and relationship proof
FAQ
How much does it cost to renew an Emirates ID in the UAE?
Renewing an Emirates ID costs AED 286 for a 2-year visa, AED 686 for a 5-year visa, and AED 1,186 for a 10-year or Golden Visa card — these are the government fees. A typing centre or PRO adds a small service charge on top, and urgent issuance carries an extra fee if you need the card faster.
Is there a 1-year Emirates ID card?
No — there is no 1-year Emirates ID card. The shortest card issued runs two years, so AED 286 is the minimum fee. Even when a freelance permit is marketed as a one-year product, the residence visa and Emirates ID attached to it are still issued for a two-year term.
What happens if my Emirates ID expires?
If your Emirates ID expires, you have 30 days to renew before a daily late fine applies, capped at a maximum amount. An expired card can block banking, government and telecom transactions, so renew as soon as your visa is renewed. ICP usually sends an SMS reminder to your registered mobile number.
How long does it take to get an Emirates ID?
A standard Emirates ID is typically issued within 5 to 10 working days after your application, biometrics and payment are complete, then delivered by Emirates Post to your registered address. Urgent ("fawri") issuance at select ICP centres can produce a card within 24 hours for an additional fee.
Can I check my Emirates ID status online?
Yes — you can check your Emirates ID status online through the ICP smart services portal or the ICP UAE app using your application number or Emirates ID number. Our step-by-step Emirates ID status check guide shows exactly which fields to enter and how to read each stage of production and delivery.
Do I need to be in the UAE to renew my Emirates ID?
For most renewals you can complete the application, payment and status tracking online through ICP without visiting a centre, provided no fresh biometrics are required. First-time applicants and some cases do need to attend an ICP service centre in person for fingerprints and a photo before the card is issued.
Need help with your Emirates ID, visa or company setup? DBM manages the entire ICP and visa process for entrepreneurs, residents and their families across the UAE — with government fees and our service fee stated separately, and no surprises. Book a free consultation via our contact page or message us directly on WhatsApp at +971 50 504 6228. With a 4.9-star Google rating from 126 reviews and 10+ years handling UAE government processes, we make the paperwork the easy part.