Emirates ID renewal is handled by ICP, the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, for residents, UAE nationals and GCC citizens. You can renew through ICP Smart Services (online or app) or an accredited typing centre, and biometrics are required in person if you are 15 or older. This guide was checked against the official ICP identity-card renewal service page.
Emirates ID renewal at a glance
- Who can renew now: anyone whose card has already expired, plus UAE nationals within 1 year of expiry and non-UAE nationals (residents and GCC citizens) within 6 months of expiry.
- Card fee: AED 100 per year of residence validity for residents; AED 100 for a 5-year card (UAE nationals under 21) or AED 200 for a 10-year card (21 and over); AED 100 for a 5-year GCC citizen card.
- Passport: must have at least 3 months’ validity left to renew.
- Biometrics: anyone 15 or older completes fingerprints and a signature in person at an ICP service centre.
- Late renewal: a daily fine is widely reported once the card has been expired for more than 30 days, so confirm the exact amount on your ICP file before paying.
When can I renew my Emirates ID?
ICP allows renewal once the card has expired, or before expiry within a window that depends on nationality: up to 1 year before expiry for UAE nationals, and up to 6 months before expiry for everyone else, including residents and GCC citizens. If your residence visa is also due for renewal, most emirates other than Dubai let you submit both together on one form; in Dubai the two are handled separately through GDRFA and ICP.
What does Emirates ID renewal cost?
| Who | Card fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | AED 100 per year of validity | AED 200 for 2 years, AED 300 for 3 years, and so on |
| UAE nationals, under 21 | AED 100 | 5-year card |
| UAE nationals, 21 and over | AED 200 | 10-year card |
| GCC citizens | AED 100 | 5-year card |
On top of the card fee, ICP Smart Services and typing centres each charge their own service fee, and delivery through Emirates Post or courier adds a further charge. These vary by channel and are not fixed by ICP the way the card fee is, so check the exact amount shown at checkout on ICP Smart Services or with your typing centre rather than assuming a set figure. An urgent (Fawri) service is available at ICP service centres for an extra fee if you need the card faster.
What happens if my Emirates ID has already expired?
You can still renew, since an expired card is one of the conditions ICP lists for eligibility. A late fine is widely reported to apply once the card has been expired for more than 30 days, commonly cited as AED 20 per day up to a cap of AED 1,000, though we could not confirm the exact figure on ICP’s own renewal page in this check. Treat that number as indicative and confirm the fine shown on your ICP Smart Services account or at an ICP centre before paying, since it is charged on top of the ordinary renewal fee. If your card and passport are both due, use the combined Emirates ID and Passport Renewal service rather than renewing each separately. If you have also overstayed your residence visa, see our UAE overstay fine guide for the separate visa penalty and how to check it.
What documents do I need?
- Valid passport, with at least 3 months left before it expires
- Valid UAE residence visa or eVisa, or proof that its renewal is in progress
- Current or expired Emirates ID, or its number
- A recent personal photo, if requested by your channel, and one that is not identical to your current card photo
- Sponsor documents where applicable: a trade licence for employees, or the sponsor’s Emirates ID for dependants
- For a child or dependant: birth certificate (attested and translated if issued outside the UAE) and the parent or guardian’s Emirates ID
- Anyone 15 or older must attend an ICP service centre in person for fingerprints and a signature
How do I renew my Emirates ID step by step?
- Check your eligibility window (above) and gather your documents.
- Apply online through ICP Smart Services or the ICP app, or in person at an accredited typing centre.
- Pay the card fee shown for your category, plus the service and delivery charges for your chosen channel.
- If you are 15 or older, book and attend biometrics at an ICP service centre.
- Track your application through ICP using your application number or Emirates ID number.
- Collect your card by Emirates Post, courier or a pickup point, and check the name, number and expiry date as soon as it arrives.
If you are renewing because you are also leaving the UAE for good rather than staying on, see our UAE visa cancellation guide instead.
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