Emirates ID renewal costs AED 100 per year of visa validity, plus service fees, and late renewal attracts a fine of AED 20 per day capped at AED 1,000. Applications are submitted through ICP Smart Services or an accredited typing centre, and renewal can be started up to six months before expiry.
Your Emirates ID is tied to your residence visa, so the two renew together. Letting it lapse does more than trigger a fine — it can quietly cut off banking, healthcare and government services until you fix it.
Emirates ID Renewal at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) |
| Card fee | AED 100 per year of visa validity |
| Renewal window | Up to 6 months before expiry |
| Grace period | 30 days after expiry (per ICP guidance) |
| Late fine | AED 20 per day, maximum AED 1,000 |
| Where to apply | ICP Smart Services, UAEICP app, or accredited typing centre |
| Validity | 1–3 years for residents, matching the residence visa |
What It Costs
The headline card fee is straightforward — AED 100 for each year of validity. A two-year visa means AED 200 in card fees. What catches people out is everything stacked on top of that.
| Fee component | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Card issuance (expat residents) | AED 100 per year of validity |
| Smart services / application fee | AED 40–100 depending on channel |
| Typing centre service fee | Around AED 70 if you apply in person |
| Delivery | Roughly AED 20–35 |
| Lost or damaged card replacement | AED 300 plus application fees |
| Late renewal fine | AED 20 per day, capped at AED 1,000 |
Budget realistically for AED 250–400 all-in for a standard two-year renewal, not the AED 200 card fee alone.
Documents You Need
- Valid passport (original and a clear scan)
- Valid UAE residence visa, or proof that renewal is in progress
- Your current or expired Emirates ID
- Recent passport-sized photograph, taken within the last three months
- Medical fitness certificate showing a ‘fit’ result, where your visa category requires it
If you are applying online, have digital copies ready before you start — the portal will ask you to upload them mid-application and the session can time out.
How to Renew, Step by Step
- Start your residence visa renewal first. The Emirates ID is linked to the visa, so this has to come first.
- Complete your medical fitness test if your category requires it. See our guide to the UAE medical fitness test for costs and centres.
- Submit the application at smartservices.icp.gov.ae, through the UAEICP app, or at an accredited typing centre or Amer centre in Dubai.
- Pay the fees online by card, or at the counter.
- Attend biometrics if requested. Fingerprints and a photograph are required for anyone aged 15 or over, but ICP may skip this if your existing data is recent. You will get an SMS if you need to attend.
- Track the application and collect or await delivery of the card.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
ICP guidance gives a 30-day grace period after expiry to renew without penalty. Once that window closes, the fine accrues at AED 20 per day up to a maximum of AED 1,000, and it must be paid in full before any renewal application can proceed.
The fine is the smaller problem. An expired Emirates ID is an invalid document, which in practice means:
- Banking services can be restricted or frozen
- Government portals and services stop working
- Healthcare access and insurance claims get complicated
- Telecom and utility account changes are blocked
- Any transaction requiring valid ID becomes difficult
Note: Some sources claim there is no grace period at all. ICP’s published guidance refers to a 30-day window, but interpretations vary and enforcement can differ by case. The safe approach is simple: renew before expiry, not after. Confirm your own dates on icp.gov.ae.
How to Check Your Emirates ID Expiry Date
The expiry date is printed at the bottom of the physical card. To check digitally:
- Go to smartservices.icp.gov.ae and sign in with UAE PASS
- Open Public Services, then File Validity
- Enter your nationality, date of birth and Unified ID (UID) number
- Select Verify to see both visa and Emirates ID expiry dates
Dubai residents can also check through the GDRFA Dubai portal or app.
Common Mistakes
- Waiting for the SMS reminder. ICP usually sends one, but it is not guaranteed and it is not a legal defence.
- Renewing the ID before the visa. The visa comes first — the ID follows it.
- Using an old photograph. It must be recent, within three months.
- Assuming Fawri applies to you. The 24-hour urgent service is available to UAE citizens and GCC nationals for renewal; expat residents can generally only use it for replacing a lost or damaged card.
- Ignoring an unpaid fine. Outstanding fines block the renewal entirely.
Renewing for Dependants
Sponsors renewing Emirates IDs for a spouse or children follow the same process, but each dependant needs their own application, fees and biometrics where required. Children under 15 are generally exempt from biometric capture.
Dependant visas and IDs often carry different expiry dates to the sponsor’s, so check each one separately rather than assuming they all renew together.
Lost or Damaged Cards
A replacement costs AED 300 plus application fees, considerably more than a standard renewal. Report the loss through ICP smart services or at a customer happiness centre, then apply for a replacement.
Expat residents can use the urgent Fawri service for replacements, which is one of the few situations where it is available to them.
Emirates ID and Your Residence Visa
These two documents are inseparable in practice. The Emirates ID cannot outlive the residence visa it is attached to, which is why the card validity always matches the visa duration.
If your visa is cancelled, the Emirates ID becomes invalid regardless of the date printed on it. Check both together using our guide to checking UAE visa status online, and if your visa has lapsed, read our guide to UAE overstay fines before doing anything else.
Related Guides
Renewing your Emirates ID is usually part of a bigger process. You may also need the UAE medical fitness test. If you are new to the country, our moving to Dubai checklist covers the full documentation sequence in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Emirates ID renewal cost in 2026?
The card fee is AED 100 per year of visa validity, so AED 200 for a two-year visa. Add application fees of AED 40–100, roughly AED 70 if you use a typing centre, and AED 20–35 for delivery. Expect AED 250–400 in total for a standard renewal.
What is the fine for an expired Emirates ID?
AED 20 per day after the 30-day grace period, capped at a maximum of AED 1,000. The fine must be settled in full before your renewal application can be processed.
How long does Emirates ID renewal take?
Typically a few working days to two weeks once biometrics (if required) are complete. Start at least 30 days before expiry to leave room for delays.
Can I renew my Emirates ID online?
Yes. Use ICP Smart Services at smartservices.icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP mobile app. You may still be asked to attend a centre for biometric capture.
How early can I renew my Emirates ID?
Up to six months before the expiry date. There is no advantage to leaving it late and considerable risk in doing so.
Do I need a medical test to renew my Emirates ID?
A medical fitness test is part of residence visa renewal for most categories, and the Emirates ID renewal follows the visa. Whether it applies depends on your visa type and age.
What happens if I am outside the UAE when my Emirates ID expires?
Residents who have been abroad for extended periods may be able to apply for a fine exemption with supporting documentation through ICP smart services. Each case is assessed individually.
Figures verified against official sources in August 2026. UAE fees and rules change often — always confirm the current amount with the relevant authority before you pay or travel.
