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 cost of the visa varies depending on the emirate and the issuing authority. It can range from AED 2,500 to 11,000.

Steps for UAE Residency

The process for obtaining UAE residency in 2025 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 the residence visa is stamped into your passport.
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.
4. 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. Typically, visas are valid for 2 years, Golden visas are valid for 5 to 10 years.

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:

It usually takes 7-10 days to get the ID card after your visa is approved and tied to your passport.

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, you are granted a 30-day grace period to renew it — but only if you are inside the UAE. If you are outside the country when your visa and Emirates ID expire, both will become invalid, and you will need to cancel the existing visa and apply for a new one upon return.

Renewal must be initiated through your original sponsor (such as your employer, company, or other entity). If you fail to renew your Emirates ID within the grace period, you will be subject to a late renewal fine of AED 50 per day. 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.

The update must be submitted to the relevant ICP department no later than 1 month from the change date.

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:

First

Visit the nearest police station and file a report about your lost Emirates ID card. The cost of this service is AED 70.

Second

Notify the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) about the lost card within seven days of its disappearance.

Third

Visit any ICA office and order a replacement Emirates ID card. You will need to pay the following fees:

• AED 300 for ID replacement.
• Additional application fees of AED 70 for applications made at typing centers, or AED 40 for eForm applications on the ICP website.
• An extra AED 150 for an express ID replacement service at ICA's main Customer Happiness Centre.

These fees are applicable to UAE nationals, GCC nationals, and expatriate residents. You won’t need to update your biometric data because it was collected during your first ID card processing, so the costs of biometric data collection are not included in the overall renewal costs.

Fourth

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