When you decide to start a new stage as an entrepreneur in the United Arab Emirates, you must take into account the various legal documents that you will need to live and work safely and effectively. A new Emirates ID is the basic documentation for every resident of the UAE, for this reason, the government has made it easy to obtain it.
In this article, you will find information on how to obtain a new Emirates ID, the renewal process, what to do if your ID gets stolen, lost, or damaged, how you can receive a Digital Emirates ID and how we can help you to facilitate this process.
- What is an Emirates ID?
- How to get a new Emirates ID?
- New Emirates ID features
- How to get an Emirates ID renewal?
- What can I do if my Emirates ID gets lost, stolen, or damaged?
- What can I do if I have to cancel my Emirates ID?
- How can we help you receive your new ID card?
1. What is an Emirates ID?
An Emirates ID is an identity document issued by The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC). It is a requirement for all residents of the United Arab Emirates to apply for one and carry it everywhere. The use of an ID is the following:
- To be able to vote in elections of the Federal National Council
- As a travel document for residents of the United Arab Emirates to travel within the GCC
- To get government services
- As an immigration document through the eGates and smart gates in the different airports of the UAE
Consider that except for The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, it is against the law to withhold the Emirate ID Card from other people. No company can retain the Emirate ID Card from their employees or their customers. They are only allowed to take the personal data reflected in it.
2. How to get new Emirates ID?
In recent years, the government of the UAE has been working to facilitate the application process for an ID. In this way, getting an Emirate ID Card has become an easy process anyone can complete by following these steps:
2.1 Obtain a UAE Pass
As an initiative of the Government of the United Arab Emirates for the use of more intelligent government systems, they recommend to create a UAE Pass account, which will allow you to enter the online portal of the government department without the need to use multiple accounts.
Also, with the new update, you can get a UAE Pass and use it to enter different portals with facial recognition technology, making it easier for users with smartphones.
2.2 Prepare the documents
Once the process has started, you need a digital copy of the following documents, to upload them to the online portal of the government department:
- Residence visa copy
- Colored photos
- Front and back pages of your passport
If you are also applying for a dependent’s Emirates ID, you will also need a copy of your own Emirates ID.
2.3 Enter the online portal of the corresponding government department
You can start the application process for an ID through the website of the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (www.ica.gov.ae) or the smartphone application (ICA UAE), available for Apple and Android.
Next, you must log in. If you decide to enter through the UAE Pass, it will send you to the UAE Pass application on your smartphone, which will use your pin to verify your identity or facial recognition technology. Once your identity is verified, you can continue the process in the ICA application or website.
2.4 Select the service to get your Emirates ID
In addition to the process, you will have the option to request the assignment of your Emirate ID and you will be able to see all the ID cards of the members of your family or of the domestic workers that you have under your sponsorship.
2.5 Upload the documents
At this point, you will need to upload all the documents to the corresponding online portal. Also, you must declare how the Emirates ID will be delivered to you, you can choose if you prefer to pick it up at a post office near you or if, on the contrary, you prefer to receive it at home. Please note that delivery costs will apply.
2.6 Make the payment
To upload the documents you must make the corresponding payment first. It is important to note that your Emirate ID is directly related to the duration of your visa.
If your visa lasts two years, you will have to pay DH200 for the card issuance and DH40 for the service fees.
If, on the other hand, you have a Golden Visa (which lasts 10 years) you will have to pay DH1000 for card issuance and DH40 for service fees.
2.7 Access to the Digital Emirates ID
Once the process is complete, you will receive a notification via email confirming the submission of your application. When your application is ready, you will be able to access a digital Emirates ID through the ICA app.
Finally, with the approved application, you will be able to use the Digital Emirates ID to complete everyday processes, for example, getting health insurance. The ICA requested to all service providers accept the Emirates ID electronic copy, which can be accessed through the ICA app, for the identity verification process.
2.8 Receive the physical copy of your ID
Upon approval of your Emirates ID application, the ICA will be in charge of printing it. Once printed, you will receive a notification via email or SMS so that you can pick up your ID Card at the post office closest to you. If you paid for the delivery, it will be sent directly to your home.
3. New Emirates ID features
Emirates ID cards are made with high-level technology to offer you security and confidence in your daily operations. Among its components are the following:
- Fingerprint biometrics
- Public key infrastructure (Digital signature and authentication certificates)
- Smart card
3.1 Identification number
Emirates ID Cards contain an identification number that stays with the owner forever. With this number, the owner of the ID can enjoy government services and some non-government services.
3.2 Electronic Chip
- It contains the personal information of the owner
- Only authorized machines can read this chip and serve to authenticate the identity of the owner
- The information on the chip is encrypted in order to ensure the privacy of the owner
- This chip can store up to 32,000 letters of information
3.3 Other technologies
Emirates ID cards are one of the most technologically advanced cards in the field of Smart Cards. They include nine security filters that make counterfeiting very difficult and that greatly differentiate them from normal bank credit cards.
4. How to get an Emirates ID renewal?
To get an Emirates ID renewal, you must do so no later than thirty days after its expiration date. As the ID Card expires, the owner must request its renewal. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) will send you a notification via SMS or email requesting your ID renewal.
After that, you must take the request in person or through the FAIC website (you can ask for a renewal online)
It is important to realize that UAE residents can apply for an Emirates ID renewal between six months and one year before expiration while residents who have a Visa can only request it when they renew their Visa.
5. What can I do if my Emirates ID gets lost, stolen, or damaged?
If someone stole or damaged your ID Card, or you lost it, you should immediately request a replacement from the Federal Authority for Citizenship and Identity. The steps to replace your ID card are the following:
5.1 Report the incident
Go to the nearest ICA customer Happiness Center and report the accident. That way they can deactivate the stolen or lost ID Card. Also, you can ask ICA for the identity number of your ID or a copy of it if you do not already have it.
In the case of a damaged ID card, remember to take the old one with you. When you report the accident, remember to take your documentation papers with you to prove your identity. For example:
- If you are a UAE national, you must bring your original passport and a family book
- GCC nationals must carry documentation that proves their residence in the UAE
- Expatriate residents must carry their original passport stamped with a valid residence permit
- If the lost ID belongs to a child under 15 years of age, their parents must bring the birth certificate with their color passport photo, against a white background
5.2 Apply for ID Card replacement
After reporting the incident, you must request an application form again at any ICA’s Customer Happiness Center. Also, you can fill out the same form through their website or app (available on the iTunes and Play Store) and request a replacement ID Card.
5.3 Pay the fees
To replace a lost or damaged ID card, the owner must pay AED 300. In addition to the application fees of AED 70, if they choose to process through a typing center. Besides, if you decide to carry out the process through the website, you will have to pay an application fee of AED 40.
These fees apply to all GCC nationals, UAE nationals, and expatriate residents. Keep in mind that you can receive an express replacement of your ID card at the ICA Customer Happiness Center if you pay an additional AED 150.
5.4 Receive your new ID card
The owner of the ID Card will receive a message or email from ICA about the status of their application and the expected delivery date. ICA will deliver it 48 hours after the application submission date. Those who applied for the express service will receive it in 24 hours.
6. What can I do if I have to cancel my Emirates ID?
Those residents who decide to cancel their resident visa, because they want to leave the country (either for work or pleasure) must return their ID Cards to the respective General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Likewise, the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs will return the ID Cards to the FAIC.
7. How can we help you receive your new ID card?
The process of applying for and receiving an ID can be tedious, especially if you are an entrepreneur starting your business or investing for the first time in the UAE.
For this reason, at Connect Zone, seek to be your main support in this process. Our specialists are trained to attend to your needs and guide you through every step to obtain or renew your Emirates ID. Likewise, we can help you renew or obtain a visa.
Do you want more information about how to get your New Emirates ID? You can contact us at the following email address: info@connectzone.ae. Through it, you can communicate with one of our advisors. We will help you and answer all your questions.
Lastly, if you want to know more about us, you can send your CV to thetalentpoint.com or contact@thetalentpoint.com. Do not worry, we will not share your information or store it in our database.
