Your national identity card connects you to almost everything in the UAE, including banking, healthcare, and government services. Once it expires or your residence visa is updated, the clock starts immediately. Missing this deadline means the ICP will charge AED 20 per day in late fines.
The actual Emirates ID Renewal process is mostly digital, and it takes less than 2 weeks from the initial application to final delivery. You can easily complete this through the official ICP Smart Services portal, the smart application, or any approved physical center.
Advertisements
This complete guide covers the exact documents needed, the step-by-step online process, the latest 2026 fee breakdown, and what happens if your card is already expired.
When Can You Renew Your Emirates ID?
The renewal window differs by applicant type, and getting the timing wrong is one of the most common and avoidable mistakes.
Expatriate Residents
ICP allows renewal when less than 6 months remain before expiry. For expats, Emirates ID renewal is always tied to a residence visa. You cannot renew the card without a valid or in-process residence visa. In practice, both are renewed at the same time through your employer or sponsor. If your visa has already expired, you need to renew that first before ICP processes the Emirates ID application.
UAE Nationals
Nationals can apply for renewal up to 1 year before expiry. As of September 2025, ICP updated the card validity period. Citizens under 21 now receive a card valid for 5 years and citizens aged 21 and above receive a 10-year card.
GCC Nationals
The standard card validity for GCC nationals residing in the UAE is 5 years. Renewal requires proof of continued UAE residence such as an active employment contract, a study enrolment letter, or property ownership documents.
If Your Card Has Already Expired
A 30-day grace period applies from the expiry date. Renew within this window and no fine is charged. Once 30 days pass, ICP charges AED 20 per day accumulating up to a maximum of AED 1,000. These fines must be paid in full before ICP processes any renewal application. Before submitting your Emirates ID, check your outstanding fines and settle them through the ICP portal.
Documents Required for Emirates ID Renewal
Getting the documents right before you start saves time and prevents your application from being returned. A name mismatch between your passport and visa is one of the most common reasons applications come back.
For Expatriate Residents
- Original passport with at least 3 months validity remaining at the time of submission
- Valid UAE residence visa, or official proof that visa renewal is already in process.
- Current Emirates ID even if it has expired.
- Recent passport-size photograph which is clearly different from the one on your existing card.
For UAE Nationals
- Original Emirates passport
- Current Emirates ID
- Recent passport-sized photograph.
For Children Under 15
- Parent or guardian’s Emirates ID
- Child’s passport and birth certificate
- Recent photographs.
Children under 15 are exempt from biometric fingerprinting. The head of the family or the legal guardian submits the application on the child’s behalf.
How to Renew Emirates ID Online?
The online route is the recommended method for most applicants. The service fee is lower than visiting a centre in person, there is no queue, and the entire submission takes around 10 minutes once your documents are ready.
Step 01: Go to icp.gov.ae and login using your UAE Pass account.
Step 02: Choose ‘ID Card Renewal’ from the options.
Step 03: Review and confirm your personal details as shown on the screen.
Step 04: Upload any required documents if the system asks you to do so.
Step 05: Select your preferred delivery option: home delivery via Emirates Post or collection from a typing centre.
Step 06: Pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card.
Step 07: Submit the application and save your PRAN reference number.
Step 08: An SMS confirmation arrives at your registered mobile shortly after submission.
How to Renew at a Typing Centre or Customer Happiness Centre
If you prefer in-person assistance or have complex documents to sort out, visit any ICP-authorised typing centre or Amer Centre with your original documents. Staff complete and submit the application on your behalf, you pay the renewal fee plus a typing service charge, and you walk out with your PRAN reference number.
At a Customer Happiness Centre, you can walk in without an appointment or book one in advance. If biometrics are needed for your file, they can be captured at the same visit, which saves you an extra trip to a separate centre. This option is particularly useful for families renewing multiple cards at once or for applicants dealing with a document mismatch that needs to be resolved in person.
Emirates ID Renewal Fees in 2026
Fees are set by ICP centrally and apply across all seven Emirates. The core fee is AED 100 per year of visa validity. The service fee varies depending on the channel you use.
| Card Validity | Card Fee | Online Service Fee | Total (Online) |
| 1 year | AED 100 | AED 100 | AED 200 |
| 2 years | AED 200 | AED 100 | AED 300 |
| 3 years | AED 300 | AED 100 | AED 400 |
| 10 years (Golden Visa) | AED 1,000 | AED 100 | AED 1,100 |
Typing centre service fees are AED 40 to AED 70 instead of the AED 100 online service fee, so the typing centre can sometimes be cheaper overall. Express Fawri service costs an additional AED 150 and reduces delivery to around 24 hours. For expats, Fawri is available on replacement cards only. For UAE nationals it is available on all application types including renewals. Late renewal fines are separate from these amounts and must be cleared in full before the renewal is processed.
What is the Processing Time for Emirates ID Renewal?
Your digital ID is issued in the UAEICP app immediately upon approval of your Emirates ID renewal. You can track the physical delivery process via SMS using your PRAN number. You must safely collect your printed card within 90 days to officially complete the entire procedure after submitting your biometric data.
- Application approval: 24 to 48 hours after submission.
- Card printing and dispatch: 3 to 5 working days from approval.
- Emirates Post delivery to your door: 1 to 3 working days after dispatch.
- Total end to end: 5 to 10 working days in most cases.
What to Update After Receiving Your Renewed Emirates ID
Receiving the card is not the last step. These updates need to happen right after:
Bank
Visit your bank branch or update through the app. A valid Emirates ID must be on record for account access, WPS salary processing, and card services. If your card was expired even briefly, get this done the same day.
Telecom
Your SIM registration must reflect your current, valid Emirates ID. Update your details with Du or Etisalat (e&) as soon as the new card is in your hands. A mismatched or expired ID on file can trigger SIM suspension without warning. The steps for updating your Emirates ID with Du and Etisalat are straightforward and covered in detail separately.
Medical Insurance
Many health insurance policies are directly linked to your Emirates ID number. Update your provider after renewal and check your medical insurance status to confirm the policy is active on the new card.
UAE Pass
Open the UAE Pass app and confirm the new expiry date appears on your Emirates ID in the documents section. The system usually updates automatically but a quick check takes five seconds and prevents any confusion at a government counter later.
Final Thoughts
Emirates ID renewal feels like more of a task than it actually is. Once your documents are ready, the online submission takes about 10 minutes and the card arrives within a week in most cases. The important thing is not to wait. Start as soon as your residence visa is renewed or when less than 6 months remain on your current card. Do not rely on expiry reminder SMS from ICP. Set your own calendar reminder 2 months before expiry so you have plenty of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I renew my Emirates ID?
Expat residents can apply when less than 6 months remain before expiry. UAE nationals can renew up to 1 year before expiry. If expired, the 30-day grace period allows for renewal without a fine. After that, AED 20 per day applies up to AED 1,000.
How much does Emirates ID renewal cost in 2026?
The card fee is AED 100 per year of visa validity. The online service fee is flat AED 100. Total comes to AED 200 for a 1-year card, AED 300 for 2 years, and AED 400 for 3 years. Typing centre service fees are AED 40 to AED 70. Late fines and express service are charged on top.
Do I need to redo biometrics for renewal?
Not always. ICP sends an SMS if biometric recapture is needed. Children under 15 are fully exempt from fingerprinting. If biometrics are required, visit an ICP Customer Happiness Centre as soon as possible because delays there stall the full application.
Can I renew if my residence visa has expired?
No. For expats, the Emirates ID renewal is linked to a valid residence visa. Renew the UAE residence visa first. If you are in a waiting period while residency is being processed, ICP accepts official proof that visa renewal is in progress.
Haris Khan is the lead content expert at TheEmiratesGuides.com, where he oversees the documentation of UAE visa processes, employment opportunities, and government services. With a commitment to factual integrity and real-time updates, he provides the technical expertise necessary to guide readers through the complexities of life and work in the UAE.