Your Emirates ID is the single most important card in the UAE — it’s your proof of identity, your key to government services, banking, telecoms and healthcare, and since it replaced the physical residence visa sticker, it’s also the evidence of your right to live here. Letting it lapse gets expensive fast, so here’s exactly how renewal works in 2026.
When to renew
You can renew from up to six months before expiry, and ICP (the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) sends SMS and email reminders as the date approaches. After expiry you get a 30-day grace period. Miss that, and a late fine of AED 20 per day applies, capped at AED 1,000.
One important nuance for expats: your Emirates ID validity is tied to your residence visa, so in practice you renew both together — the ID application is part of the visa renewal flow. UAE and GCC nationals renew their 5- or 10-year cards directly.
How much it costs in 2026
The core card fee is AED 100 per year of validity (so AED 200 for a typical 2-year expat card, AED 500 for a national’s 5-year card), plus service fees of roughly AED 40–70 depending on whether you apply online or through a typing centre. Need it urgently? The Fawri express service issues cards within 24 hours for an extra AED 150 at selected ICP customer happiness centres. A lost or damaged card replacement costs AED 300 plus service fees.
How to renew: step by step
Option 1 — online (most people)
1. Log in to the ICP Smart Services portal or the UAEICP app with UAE Pass.
2. Select the ID renewal service and confirm your details — passport number, visa details and photo must be current.
3. Upload any requested documents (passport copy, residence visa for expats, a compliant photo).
4. Pay the fees and any fines online.
5. If ICP requests updated biometrics (fingerprints or photo), you’ll get an appointment at a service centre — typically only if your biometrics are more than a few years old or you’re renewing a 10-year card.
6. Track the application in the app; the new card is printed and handed to Emirates Post for delivery.
Option 2 — typing centre / Amer centre
If you prefer to have it handled for you, any accredited typing centre will file the application while you wait. This is also the standard route when the ID renewal is bundled into a company-sponsored visa renewal — your PRO or document clearing partner submits everything in one package.
How long it takes
Standard processing runs 3–7 working days, plus 1–2 days for Emirates Post delivery. You’ll receive SMS updates at each stage, including the collection or delivery notification. The Fawri route compresses issuance to 24 hours where available.
Documents you’ll need
For expats: original passport, current residence visa (or the in-process renewal), and a personal photo meeting ICP specifications. For nationals: family book and passport. Children under 15 renewing for the first time may need a new photo; over-15s attend for fingerprints if requested.
What happens if you don’t renew
Beyond the AED 20-a-day fine, an expired Emirates ID blocks the everyday essentials — bank transactions, SIM renewals, medical insurance claims, tenancy contracts and government services all check ID validity in real time. For business owners, an expired ID can also hold up licence renewals and bank compliance reviews, so treat the renewal window as a hard deadline.
Renewing as a business owner or employee sponsor
If you hold a UAE company, your own ID renewal rides on your investor or employment visa — and your staff’s IDs ride on the visas your company sponsors. Set Hub’s business support team tracks visa and ID expiries for client companies and handles the full renewal chain (medical, visa stamp, ID biometrics) so nothing lapses. If you’re setting up a company and want your residence visa and Emirates ID sorted as part of the package, start with our cost calculator.
FAQs
Can I renew my Emirates ID before my visa renewal? No — for expats the ID is issued against the visa, so the visa renews first (or simultaneously).
Is there still a grace period? Yes, 30 days after expiry with no fine.
Do I need new biometrics every renewal? No. ICP only requests fingerprints or a new photo when your file needs updating.
Where does the card get delivered? Emirates Post delivers to your registered address, or you can collect from the branch you select in the application.