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Residency

How to Update Information on Emirates ID?

How to Change Emirates ID Personal Information?

UAE ID or Emirates ID is a legal document that every person living in the UAE mandatorily needs to have and carry all the time. The card consists of a 15-digit number along with your personal details which are considered key details. Other than that, your photograph is present on the ID and an electronic chip that stores your data, some of which is encrypted. There are other details like your address and occupation which are considered non-key details. The Federal Authority of Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security or the ICP issues the card.

Not only this card is a legal identity for every resident in the UAE, but it is also required for various purposes. For example, if you have to open a bank account or apply for a driver’s license, you need to use this ID. To take a house on rent, pay your electricity and water bills, apply for home internet packages, avoid long queues at the airport, get your credit report in UAE, or for processing medical insurance, the Emirates ID is a must.

Since this is such an important document, you need to ensure that the details on this polycarbonate-made card are always up-to-date. This article will take you through the various processes to do so.

When to Inform the ICP about changes in Emirates ID details?

UAE residents and holders of the Emirates ID, whether national or expats, are required to report changes in details of the card to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security within 30 days of the date of the change. This relates to modification or/and updating any detail.

Key & Non-Key Details

As mentioned above, all the details present on the Emirates ID are of two types – key and non-key. It is important to understand the classification of key and non-key details as this is the main criterion upon which changing these details depends.

Key details include your name, mobile number, and DOB. Non-key details include things like the address of your place, marital status, occupation, etc.

Ways to update information on the Emirates ID

There are two ways of updating the information – Offline and Online

The offline method is for making changes to key details while the online method can be used for updating non-key details.

How to Update Emirates ID Offline?

This method needs to be undertaken when updating key details. For example, if you wish to make changes to your basic details like date of birth or name, nationality, etc., you need to visit the nearest branch office of the ICP. When you submit your application to the ICP office physically for updating your key information, you need to carry certain documents.

Documents

The details of these include:

1. For UAE Citizens

  • Your Emirates ID (original).
  • Documents that support and corroborate the details that you need to change.
  • Those who benefit from social insurance need to carry their social insurance certificate duly attested by the Ministry of Community Development officials. Such residents are exempted from paying the card issuance fees.
  • If the UAE citizen is an elderly person or a person with determination (As per the National Policy for Empowering People with Special Needs. People with determination is a term used to refer to people with special needs), a valid medical report issued by the UAE healthy authority or the Ministry of Health is a must. This is required as proof of exemption from card issuance fees.

If the application is submitted by a third person on your behalf, the person needs to carry a Power of Attorney (POA) document.

2. For Expats and GCC Citizens

  • Proof of UAE residency.
  • Your Emirates ID (original).
  • To get an exemption from ID card issuance fees, diplomats and the consular need to show their diplomatic and consular cards. Diplomatic and consular mission members and heads can also submit their membership cards of international organizations in the UAE for exemption.
  • The Ministry of Health’s or UAE Health Authority’s valid medical report for exemption of fees for people of determination.

If the application is not submitted by a third person on your behalf, the person needs to carry a Power of Attorney (POA) document.

Procedure

These are the steps to follow for updating details offline:

  • You need to physically visit the closest branch of The Federal Authority of Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security.
  • Complete the Application Form.
  • Submit the form and the documents.
  • The application fee has to be paid.
  • A biometric process involving fingerprints, photographs, etc., needs to be completed.

Fees

The total fee for making the update and card issuance is AED 340*.

The breakdown of the fees is as follows:

Breakdown of FeesAmount (AED)
Service Fees40*
Fees for card issuance with changed details150*
Urgent service fee150*

Processing Time

The processing time for offline changes takes about two days.

Once the application form is completed and submitted along with the fees, you will get an SMS on your registered mobile number from ICP. The SMS will mention two major things – the date and place to collect the new id.

On the given day and time, visit the Emirates Post Office mentioned in the SMS to take possession of your new Emirates ID.

How to Update Emirates ID online?

You can go online and open the website of ICP to change or update any non-key detail. The website of ICP is https://icp.gov.ae/en/service/data-update/.

Documents

For updating non-key details, you are not required to submit any documents. The process for updating has been mentioned below (in the Procedure Section).

The only mandatory aspect that you need to take care of online updates of details is that you have to be present physically in the UAE to complete the process. Or else, the application will not be accepted by the site.

Procedure

Open the ICP website link mentioned above. Click on ‘Start Service.’ Now, open the Service Page related to your specific detail that needs to be changed.

For example, if you want to change your mobile number, you need to go to that section. If you read the Service Description, you’ll find that it mentions that this page can be used for updating your mobile phone number. Now, you need to enter all the mandatory fields (marked with an asterisk *). These include:

  • Current Nationality
  • Emirates ID Number
  • Your Full Name in English
  • Your Full Name in Arabic (it is automatically updated when you enter your name in English).
  • Passport No.
  • Your Date of Birth
  • Last Entry date (this is the last date of your arrival in the UAE)
  • Email Address

The page will now prompt you to enter your current (or new) mobile number. You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on this number to confirm it. If you want to change the address, you can now enter the details in the address field. If not, you can skip this field.

Complete the online application process by verifying the captcha. Now click on payment to proceed with the application. Once the fee is paid, you will receive an SMS from ICP.

Fees

When you use the online site for updating the details on your Emirates ID, the service fee charged is AED 53.*

Processing Time

The changes are made immediately in the ICP database and an SMS or an email confirms the same.*

Updating Information using the Mobile App

Non-key details can be updated by downloading the app of ICP and using it.

Apple users can download the app from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ica-uae-echannels/id1374301965 and Android users can use this link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.echannels.moismartservices to do so.

The detailed procedure is as follows:

  • Go to the ‘Public Info’ tab and click on ‘Update Personal Info.’
  • Enter all the relevant details related to your personal information.
  • For ‘File Type’ choose ‘Residency.’
  • For ‘ID Type’ choose ‘Emirates ID.’
  • You will be prompted to enter your passport number, Emirates ID number, and email address.
  • On clicking ‘Next,’ your last updated mobile number connected with your Emirates ID will appear. You need to change the number to your current number.
  • A confirmation One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to your current mobile number.
  • Now, you will be prompted to pay the processing fee.
  • Once the payment is done, you will receive a confirmation SMS or email.
  • Using the reference number on the invoice, you can track the status.

Everything About FAWRI Services

This service is available for people who need to get their details changed on an urgent basis. Due to FAWRI, they can get the updates done within 24 hours. The person, however, has to pay extra fees to avail of this service. It includes the regular fees and an urgent service fee.

How can you avail of this service?

You need to visit the Customers Happiness Center and can simply walk in without any prior appointment.

Which Customers Happiness Centres provide this service?

The following centers can be visited if you need urgent services:

  • Abu Dhabi – Al Jazeera, Khalifa City & Madinat Zayed
  • Ajman – Ajman Centre
  • Dubai – Al Barsha, Karama & Al Rashidiya
  • Sharjah – Sharjah Centre
  • Fujairah – Fujairah Centre
  • Ras Al Khaimah – Ras Al Khaimah Centre
  • Umm Al Quwain – Umm Al Quwain Centre

The Scope of FAWRI

FAWRI services can be availed by all residents of the UAE including UAE & GCC nationals. People of all ages can avail of the service. It can be used for first-time applications for the Emirates ID, applying for the renewal of a card, and replacement of lost/damaged cards.

Expats (not including GCC nationals) can only apply for the replacement of lost/damaged cards on an urgent basis. For issuing the card the first time, and renewing the card, urgent services cannot be availed by expatriates because it is linked to various factors related to residency proof, etc.

FAQs

1. How to check the status of Emirates ID?

UAE residents including nationals and expats can go onto the website of The Federal Authority of Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security or the ICP to check the status of their Emirates ID. The steps involve:

  • Opening the page: https://icp.gov.ae/, there you will see “Check Application Status” section.
  • Entering the IDN or the PRAN Number. IDN is the Number mentioned on your Emirates ID card whereas PRAN is the Number on your application form.
  • Clicking the Enquiry button after entering the details. The exact status of your ID will be instantly displayed on the screen.

2. Why should I keep my Emirates Id up-to-date?

The Emirates ID is a critically important document for UAE residents. The chip on the card can store about 32,000 letters. This chip stores all relevant details related to your personal information. It is your legal identity proof and is required when availing of government services in the UAE. Your vehicle registration in the UAE, applying for a driver’s license, processing medical insurance, checking credit history, etc., are some of the manifold uses of the Emirates ID.

*The mentioned amount is based on our research. The actual amount can vary or be changed by the concerned authorities.