Emirates ID status — 3 easy steps to check it

How to check the validity of your existing Emirates ID or UAE residency visa

If you're uncertain about the exact expiry date or if you've been abroad and are unsure about your residence visa status in the UAE, you can check your Emirates ID status with ease.

Follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Visit smartservices.icp.gov.ae
2. Select "File Validity" under the “Quick Services” section
3. Enter your details — such as your Emirates ID number or passport number with visa details — then click Search

How to check your Emirates ID application status

Once you've applied for your Emirates ID card or its renewal, you can monitor the Emirates ID status online.
To check the status, you must have the Emirates ID number or the registration application number (PRAN), which can be found on the application form. Also, you can do this by using your passport number.

Follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Go to the official ICP portal.

Visit the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) website at icp.gov.ae. You'll find a segment titled "Check Application Status" on the right side of the first page. You can also carry out your Emirates ID status check via a mobile application, which can be downloaded from the ICP Smart Services portal or the app store on your mobile phone.

2. Enter your details.

In the Check Application Status section, enter your application number or Emirates ID number (excluding the hyphen). Your Emirates ID application status will be displayed:

• “Pending” – your Emirates ID application is undergoing processing.
• “Approved” – your Emirates ID application has been processed and approved, and now you need to wait for the ID to be printed out.
• “Issued” - your Emirates ID has been printed out and is waiting for you to collect it.
• “Rejected” - your Emirates ID application has been denied for some reason.

You can also use the Application History Log to view detailed progress, including submission, data verification, and card printing stages.

3. Follow up if needed.

The status check is free of charge. If you experience any issues, you can contact ICP through their live chat or online inquiry form available on the official website.

How to get an Emirates ID

The Emirates ID application process is an integral part of the UAE residency visa application procedure.

The total cost of getting UAE residency visa can vary significantly depending on the emirate, visa type, and the issuing authority—so it’s best to budget for medical testing, Emirates ID, status change (if applicable), and courier/delivery fees as separate cost items.

Steps for UAE Residency

The process for obtaining a UAE resident visa in 2026 includes:

1. Applying for an entry permit: This permit is issued to company owners who have set up a business in the UAE or employees hired by a UAE-based company. The entry permit, a prerequisite for the residence visa, is valid for 60 days. During this period, you must undergo a medical check and apply for your Emirates ID, after which your residence status is issued electronically (digital visa / no passport stamp).
2. Medical checkup: Conducted at any Preventive Medicine Center, this mandatory procedure follows the issuance of your entry permit. The medical test consists of a blood test and chest X-ray. If your medical results are satisfactory, you can proceed with your visa application.
3. Emirates ID application: This process is facilitated at any office of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Many offices are conveniently located next to Preventive Medicine Centers to make the application process easier. This step includes eye scanning and fingerprinting, and this biometric data is stored in the Authority’s system, so you won’t need to repeat these steps at the time of your Emirates ID renewal.UAE visa approval: The final step of UAE residency is having your visa approved. Previously, visas used to be stamped into your passport, but now it happens in a digital form, which you can find using the UAE ICP application. Residence visa validity can vary (commonly 1–2 years, depending on the visa type and the issuing authority). Long-term visas, such as the UAE Golden Visa9! are typically issued for 10 years (subject to eligibility and approval).

The validity of the Emirates ID for UAE residents aligns with the validity of their visa. Therefore, for GCC nationals, new residents, or anyone looking to apply for a UAE residency visa, an Emirates ID card is an essential document.

Emirates ID cost

The costs of the ID depend on its validity and vary by emirate or even freezone. However, here are the estimated costs:

When you make an application, make sure that the ID validity is the same as the validity of your visa.

Processing time can vary, but in many cases the card is issued within a few business days to around two weeks after visa approval (depending on workload and delivery method).

You will be receiving SMS messages during the processing of your Emirates ID status with the updates. When the ID is ready, you will be able to collect it from one of the branches of Emirates Post, which will be indicated in the message. Or you can have it delivered to your address by courier.

Emirates ID renewal

Once your Emirates ID has expired, a grace period may apply depending on your visa type and the issuing authority. If your visa expires while you are outside the UAE, the return and renewal route will depend on your sponsor and immigration rules at that time—so check your status on ICP and confirm the next steps before travelling.

Renewal must be initiated through your original sponsor (such as your employer, company, or other entity). If you miss the renewal window, late fines may apply per day after the grace period—confirm the current amounts via ICP or your sponsor. This fine mirrors the one applied for delayed visa renewal, as the Emirates ID is directly tied to your residency visa.

Emirates ID renewal process

The Emirates ID renewal process is quite simple. The Emirates ID is renewed along with the visa, so the ID renewal application will be needed for visa renewal. After the medical checkup is completed, the application needs to be submitted to the free zone where your visa was issued or to the Immigration authority (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) if your visa is under a mainland company to process the visa approval.

Once the visa is renewed, the ID will be issued and sent to an Emirates Post branch.

Updating your Emirates ID data

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP) mandates that all Emirates ID holders promptly report any changes to their card data, such as:

• passport number,
• change of name,
• change in nationality, or
• the mobile phone number linked to the ID.

Submit updates as soon as possible after any change to keep your ICP records accurate and avoid service disruptions.

The requirement to update the details applies to all valid Emirates ID cards, whether issued to UAE nationals or expatriate residents. Changes can be made to reflect modifications in the holder's personal or contact details to ensure the information on the card remains accurate and up to date.

Emirates ID cancellation

There could be several reasons prompting the cancellation of your Emirates ID card. These may include:

1. Transitioning to a new job or establishing a business in Dubai, which necessitates a new UAE residency visa
2. Opting to leave the UAE permanently.

The process of Emirates ID cancellation is integrated with the cancellation of your residence visa. You will have to hand in your card to your employer or to the Immigration authority when you submit your passport for visa cancellation.

What does the long Emirates ID number mean?

The 15-digit Emirates ID number, unique to every cardholder, is divided into four parts. Each part carries specific information:

1. The first part is constant across all Emirates ID cards, representing the international code for the UAE, which is 784.
2. The second part typically correlates with your birth year, but variations can occur.
3. The third part comprises seven randomly generated digits, assigned by the system without any specific meaning.
4. The final part, a single digit, serves as a verification number and can range from 0 to 9.

This Emirates ID number is assigned specifically to you and remains associated with you permanently. It cannot be changed or amended, reflecting the continuity of your identity within the UAE. Even if your status as a UAE resident ceases and you leave the country, should you return and regain residency in the future, the same Emirates ID number will be reissued to you.

Maintaining a record of this number is crucial as it is required for Emirates ID card status checking, applying for various government services, and when dealing with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security.

What should I do if I lose my Emirates ID?

Misplacing your Emirates ID card can be stressful, but the following steps can help you manage the situation effectively:

Step 1

Visit the relevant authority (often the police, depending on the emirate) and file a report about your lost Emirates ID card. Fees may apply and can vary by emirate and channel.

Step 2

Notify ICP about the lost card as soon as possible using the official channels available on the ICP portal or app.

Step 3

Apply for a replacement Emirates ID through ICP (online or via an authorised typing centre). Replacement fees depend on the application channel and whether you request an urgent service.

Step 4

Collect your new card from the nearest Emirates post office.

Is the Emirates ID card secure?

Yes — the Emirates ID is one of the most secure identification cards in the world. It uses advanced technology to protect your personal data and prevent misuse.

Key security features:

• Biometric protection: Your fingerprint is linked to the card, making it nearly impossible for anyone else to use it.
• Encrypted chip: The card contains an electronic chip that stores your personal data. This information is encrypted and can only be accessed by authorized government systems.
• Digital signature: Built-in digital certificates make online services safer by confirming your identity.
• Anti-forgery design: Security elements like UV ink, microtext, and complex line patterns protect against counterfeiting.

Each card also has a unique 15-digit number that stays with you for life, ensuring secure access to public and private services.

In short, your Emirates ID is built for both convenience and maximum protection — far beyond the security of a regular bank card.

Key takeaways about your Emirates ID

• Emirates ID processing is an easy and straightforward procedure. It is done together with your visa processing.
• If you have an employment visa, the application will normally be done by your employer.
• In case you have a freelance visa or your own business, you can do the application by yourself or hire a business setup consultancy company like Emirabiz to help you with formalities.
• You can always perform your Emirates ID status check and keep track of ID processing on the ICP website or by using a mobile app