Emiratis now can extend Emirates ID card validity to 10 years

In its quest to provide the best services to its customers, the Emirates Identity Authority has announced that UAE citizens can now extend the validity of their new or renewed Emirates ID cards for 10 year. The new service is in line with Emirates ID efforts to save the time and effort of its customers and strengthen the role of the ID card as a means to recognize and confirm people’s identities and as a prerequisite to avail most of the service provided by government and private sector services in the UAE. Emirates ID has announced that, at this stage, the validity period is optional for citizens at the time of issuing or renewing their ID cards. This is in implementation of Emirates ID Board of Directors’ decision last September which stated that it’s up to Emiratis at the beginning to choose validity of their ID cards. When undergoing an ID application process, Emiratis will have the option to pay Dh100 for a validity period of five years, or Dh200 for a validity period of ten years. These fees are in addition to application fees which are Dh70 at typing centers and Dh40 for the online application. The Authority has clarified that the option to choose the validity period is available for two age groups; 15 and above and 6-10 year olds. The option is not available for those under 5 years and from 11-14 year olds. The reason for not providing this option for children less than 5 years is because of the changes that occur on their facial characteristics during this age which requires taking a new photo of the ID holder after 5 years. The reason for withholding the option from 11-14 year old is because they need to have their fingerprints taken at the age of 15. Emiratis can avail the service by filling in the online application or through mobile phones in the case of card renewals. The service is also available through more than 1400 typing centers throughout the UAE or through the service centers (urgent service) for a fee of Dh150. Extending the validity of the Emirates ID card for 10 years is not available when applying for a replacement of a damaged or lost card or when updating the applicant’s information. Cards in these cases are issued with the same validity as the replaced cards. Fees are Dh300 for a damaged or lost card and Dh150 for changing essential information that require issuing a new card. Emirates ID stressed that it continues to develop the ID card and improve its specifications to facilitate service provision. This includes activating the digital identity application, easing registration in the Population Register and ID card issuance and renewal especially that the Emirates ID card has become the main reference and most important document to prove personal identities in the UAE. The Authority affirmed the pivotal role of its different projects in promoting the adoption of the Population Register and the advanced identity systems in supporting the federal eGovernment projects and enhancing the work of government entities. The Emirates Identity Authority provides 22 decentralised printing devices for issuing ID cards in a number of its service centers to issue and renew ID cards immediately through the urgent service. Citizens and residents can use the online application easily and conveniently to issue and renew their cards. Emirati citizens can renew their cards using mobile phones. 156,184 cards that belong to Emirati citizens will expire this year. Emirates 24/7