Emirates ID renewal and new applications are handled by ICP for residents of every emirate, including Dubai visa holders, and the card is now issued together with the residence visa. If your card is lost, damaged or about to expire, you apply for a replacement or renewal the same way. Wordcraft files the application, books biometrics where needed and tracks the card until delivery.
Lost, Damaged or Expired Emirates ID: What to Do
If your card is lost or stolen, apply for a replacement as soon as possible; ICP may ask for a police report in some cases, and we tell you if yours is one of them. A damaged card is replaced in the same way, handing in the old card where possible. If your card has expired, renew it straight away, because delays in renewing can lead to fines under the rules in force, and an expired card causes problems with banks, telecoms and government services. We check your status and file the right application so you are not left without valid ID.
Emirates ID by Emirate: Where Biometrics and Delivery Happen
The card is an ICP document everywhere, even for Dubai residents whose residence is handled by GDRFA. What differs is only where you go if biometrics are needed.
| Where you live | Who issues the card | Biometrics, if required | How the card reaches you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | ICP (residence through GDRFA Dubai) | An ICP-approved service center in Dubai | Courier, or collection where offered |
| Abu Dhabi | ICP | An ICP service center in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain or Al Dhafra | Courier, or collection where offered |
| Sharjah and Ajman | ICP | An ICP service center in your emirate | Courier, or collection where offered |
| Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah | ICP | An ICP service center in your emirate | Courier, or collection where offered |
In every emirate the application itself is filed online through ICP channels; you only attend in person for biometrics when ICP asks. Our offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah book the nearest slot.
Emirates ID Services We Handle
- New Emirates ID: for new residents, newborns and anyone moving to a new residence visa.
- Renewal: together with your residence renewal, or on its own where the visa remains valid.
- Replacement: for a lost, stolen or damaged card.
- Data update: after a passport renewal, a change of job title, a name correction or a new sponsor.
- Family and domestic workers: the whole household's cards filed together with their visas.
One Application With Your Residence Visa
For most residents, the Emirates ID is no longer a separate transaction. When a residence visa is issued or renewed, the Emirates ID application is filed at the same time, and the card serves as proof of residence in place of the old passport sticker. This is why the order matters: the medical fitness test (where required) and the residence approval come first, then biometrics and card printing. If you are renewing your visa, see residence visa renewal; for new family members, see family visa, and for employees, employment visa.
Biometrics and Card Delivery
Many applicants need to give fingerprints and a photo at an ICP-approved center, while others (for example people whose biometrics are already on record, or young children) may be exempt under the rules in force. We tell you whether you need an appointment and book the nearest center. Once the card is printed, it is delivered by courier or made available for collection, depending on the options offered for your application, and we share the tracking details with you.
Documents for a New or Renewed Emirates ID
- Original passport, valid for at least six months
- A recent photo meeting the ICP specification (we check it before filing)
- Current Emirates ID, or the expired or damaged card if you still have it
- Residence visa details, or the entry permit for a new resident
- Sponsor's documents for dependants: passport, visa and Emirates ID
- For newborns: the birth certificate and the parents' documents; see newborn baby visa
- For a name correction: the supporting document, attested and translated into Arabic where it was issued abroad
How We File Your Emirates ID
- Send a photo of your passport and current Emirates ID on WhatsApp, and tell us whether this is a new card, a renewal, a replacement or an update.
- Within 10–30 minutes you get a written quote showing the ICP fee and our charge.
- Pay through a secure link; we prepare the application and check your photo and data.
- We file the application through ICP's official channels, together with your visa where it applies.
- We book biometrics if you need them and remind you of the appointment.
- You receive the card by courier or collection, and we confirm the file is closed.
With offices in Dubai (Al Twar), Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, every branch handles Emirates ID applications. We prepare and submit; ICP issues the card. For every other visa transaction, see our visa services.
General Emirates ID information is also on u.ae.
Last checked: 29 September 2026 against ICP guidance on Emirates ID renewal and replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Emirates ID without renewing my visa?
In most cases the Emirates ID follows the validity of your residence, so the two are renewed together. If your visa is still valid and only the card needs attention, we file the right transaction for your case.
Do I need to give fingerprints every time?
Not always. Whether you need biometrics depends on your age and on the records ICP already holds. We tell you before booking.
I have a Dubai visa. Does ICP still issue my Emirates ID?
Yes. ICP issues the Emirates ID for all residents, while GDRFA handles the Dubai residence visa itself.
What should I do if I lose my Emirates ID abroad?
Tell us straight away. We explain the replacement options and whether you can travel back on your passport while the new card is processed.
How much does an Emirates ID renewal cost?
The fee depends on the card validity and whether it is a renewal or a replacement. Your quote shows it before we file.
