Emirates ID is a mandatory identity document for all UAE citizens and residents, and you are required to carry it at all times. Because it is used across government, banking, telecoms and many other services, letting it expire or renewing it incorrectly can quickly become both a compliance and a practical problem.
In this Emirates ID renewal guide, you will find a structured explanation of the 30‑day grace period, late fines, and renewal windows for UAE nationals and expatriate residents. You will also see a step‑by‑step overview of how to renew Emirates ID online via Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) channels, what happens after you submit, and which ongoing obligations you should keep in mind.
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Why Timely Emirates ID Renewal Matters
Under UAE rules, Emirates ID is not optional: every UAE citizen and resident must hold a valid card and is expected to carry it. The card is a key identifier in dealings with the ICP and with a wide range of public and private entities. Because of this, renewal is not simply an administrative formality but a legal obligation once your card reaches its expiry date.
An expired Emirates ID can affect access to everyday services. Many banks, mobile operators, landlords and government bodies will ask for a valid card to complete transactions. If you allow your card to expire and do not renew within the specified timeframe, you risk both disruption to services and the application of monetary penalties. Treating Emirates ID renewal as a priority helps you stay compliant and avoids unnecessary issues when you need to prove your identity.
The 30‑Day Grace Period and Late Fines
When an Emirates ID expires, a standard Emirates ID grace period of 30 days applies. This is the window, starting from the date of expiry printed on your card, during which you must submit your renewal application. ICP usually sends an SMS reminder as your card approaches expiry, but the legal duty to renew remains with the cardholder, not with the authority.
If you miss this 30‑day grace period, Emirates ID late fines begin to accrue. Under Ministerial Decision No. 25 of 2011, the Emirates ID fine is AED 20 per day of delay, up to a maximum of AED 1,000. The fine applies where renewal is delayed beyond 30 days after expiry and may also apply where you fail to update key personal data within 30 days of a change. The penalty stops increasing once the maximum cap is reached or once you regularise your status by submitting the necessary application.
To make the different 30‑day rules easier to see, the table below distinguishes the main deadlines that many customers confuse:
| Situation | 30‑Day Rule | What It Means For You |
|---|---|---|
| ID card expires | 30-day Emirates ID grace period for renewal | Submit renewal within 30 days to avoid late fines. |
| Renewal submitted, card printed and delivered to Emirates Post | 30 days to collect from Emirates Post (approximate limit) | Collect promptly; the card may be destroyed after this. |
| Change in key personal data (e.g. name, status) | 30 days to notify ICP | File an update request within 30 days to avoid penalties. |
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When You Can Renew Your Emirates ID
Not everyone can apply for UAE ID card renewal at the same time. The renewal window depends on whether you are a UAE national or a residence visa holder, and on the status of your visa.
UAE nationals can apply for Emirates ID renewal up to three months before the card’s expiry date. This early window allows Emirati citizens to avoid last‑minute congestion and provides a comfortable margin before any grace period or fines become relevant. Nevertheless, once the printed expiry date passes, the same 30‑day grace rule applies before late fines are triggered.
For expatriate residents, Emirates ID renewal is linked to the residence visa. In practice, you may renew your Emirates ID only after your residence visa has been renewed or reissued, because the card reflects your valid residency status. This is important for Emirates ID renewal in Dubai and in all other emirates: you should first complete residence visa renewal through the relevant channels and then proceed with ID renewal.
Step‑by‑Step: Renewing Your Emirates ID Online
Most cardholders now complete Emirates ID renewal online. ICP offers several electronic channels and also works with accredited typing centres for customers who prefer assisted applications. The core steps are similar whichever channel you choose: confirm your details, choose delivery, pay the fees, and respond promptly to any ICP requests.
Renewing Via the ICP “Renew ID Card” eService
The first online route is the ICP Emirates ID renewal eService available on the ICP website. To use it, you start by accessing the official site and selecting the dedicated “Renew ID card” service. From there, you enter or confirm your identity data, personal information, and your current address and delivery preferences.
Once your information is complete, you review all fields carefully, because errors may delay processing or cause printing issues. You then submit the Emirates ID online application electronically and pay the required renewal fees through ICP’s integrated payment systems, which include e‑Dirham and other supported gateways. After submission, ICP sends SMS notifications to the mobile number you provided, updating you on the status of your application and any next steps. It is sensible to keep your application reference number and payment confirmation until your new card is safely received.
Renewing Via the ICP UAE Smart Mobile Application
If you prefer to renew Emirates ID online using a smartphone, you can use the ICP UAE Smart application available on the major app stores. After downloading the app, you log in using UAE PASS, the UAE’s unified digital identity system. UAE PASS login for Emirates ID services allows you to access your personal records securely and pre‑fills much of your information.
On the main screen of the app, you will see a box for “renewing expired or nearly expired documents”, which includes Emirates ID. Selecting this option starts a guided flow where you confirm your personal, address and delivery details, attach any required information, and pay the fees through the app’s integrated payment gateways. A key advantage of this method is the Emirates ID digital wallet: once approved, an electronic version of your renewed Emirates ID and residency appears in the app, providing a convenient digital record while you wait for your physical card from Emirates Post.
Applying Through Accredited Typing Centres
For those who are less comfortable with digital forms or do not yet use UAE PASS, accredited typing centres in the UAE, such as EGSH, remain an alternative channel. These centres input your Emirates ID renewal details into ICP systems on your behalf, based on the documents and information you provide. The underlying procedures, fees and timelines are the same as for direct online filing.
When using an EGSH typing centre, your main responsibility is to ensure that all personal, contact and delivery details in the application are correct before the request is submitted. You should also keep the receipt and any tracking numbers provided, as you will receive subsequent SMS status messages directly from ICP. Using a typing centre does not change the 30‑day grace period, the possibility of fines, or any biometrics requirements.
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After You Submit: Biometrics, Card Delivery and Digital ID
Once your Emirates ID renewal application is lodged, ICP reviews your request and determines whether any additional steps are required. For some applicants, especially if biometrics on file are old or incomplete, ICP may ask you to visit an ICP Customer Happiness Centre to provide or update fingerprints and your photograph. Any such requirement is normally communicated by SMS, so keeping your registered mobile number active is essential.
As your application progresses, ICP sends further SMS updates about approval, card printing and handover to Emirates Post. The renewed card is delivered through Emirates Post to your chosen location or branch, and you must coordinate collection or delivery as instructed. Customers are required to collect their Emirates ID card within up to 60 days of notification; after this period, the card is returned to ICP and a replacement may be required. Throughout this period, you can continue to access a digital version of your Emirates ID via the ICP app’s digital wallet feature, which can be particularly helpful if you need to present your details while awaiting physical card delivery.
Urgent Emirates ID Renewal and the Fawri Service
Where time is critical, ICP offers the Fawri urgent service, which enables rapid issuance or replacement of an Emirates ID card, typically within 24 hours, at designated ICP Customer Happiness Centres. This service carries additional fees and is not available for all cases.
Eligibility varies by status:
- **UAE nationals and GCC nationals residing in the UAE
**They may use Fawri for first-time issuance, replacement of lost or damaged cards, and certain renewals, according to ICP’s current rules. - Expatriate residents who are not GCC nationals
For these residents, Fawri is limited strictly to replacing a lost or damaged Emirates ID card. It cannot be used for standard renewal, which remains tied to the residence-visa renewal process.
Even when using Fawri, the standard late-fine rules continue to apply: the 30-day grace period runs from the card’s printed expiry date, and fines of AED 20 per day (capped at AED 1,000) may apply if renewal is delayed beyond that window.
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Practical Compliance Tips
Staying compliant with Emirates ID rules is largely a matter of planning and attention to dates. Make it a habit to check the expiry date printed on your card and to watch for ICP SMS reminders so you can act before or within the 30‑day grace period. Where you are eligible, renewing early—particularly for UAE nationals—reduces the risk of last‑minute problems, technical issues, or appointment bottlenecks around peak periods.
Beyond renewal, remember that ICP also requires cardholders to report changes in key personal data, such as name or marital status, within 30 days of the change. Failing to do so can expose you to the same pattern of late penalties described for renewal. For expatriate residents, align your Emirates ID renewal with residence visa renewal, use only official ICP channels (website, ICP UAE Smart application, or accredited typing centres), and ensure your mobile number and address in ICP records are always up to date.
FAQ: Emirates ID Renewal and 30‑Day Grace Period
How to renew Emirates ID online?
You can complete Emirates ID renewal online either through the ICP website’s “Renew ID card” eService or via the ICP UAE Smart mobile application. In both cases, you log in or provide your identity details, confirm your personal and address information, choose delivery, and pay the renewal fees through the authorised payment gateways. ICP then sends SMS updates on your application status and card delivery.
What is the Emirates ID renewal grace period?
The Emirates ID renewal grace period is 30 days from the date your card expires. During this time you are expected to submit your renewal application. If you delay beyond these 30 days, Emirates ID late fines begin to accrue at AED 20 per day, up to a maximum of AED 1,000, in line with Ministerial Decision No. 25 of 2011.
What happens if the Emirates ID expires in the UAE and I do not renew within 30 days?
If you do not renew within the 30‑day grace period, penalties start from the 31st day after expiry. The fine is calculated daily, up to the capped maximum, until you submit a renewal application or otherwise resolve your status with ICP. An expired Emirates ID can also cause difficulties in accessing services that require valid identification.
Can I complete Emirates ID renewal after 30 days grace without paying a fine?
In general, Emirates ID renewal after 30 days grace will attract late fines according to the daily rate set in the ministerial decision. While ICP has historically announced specific exemptions for certain groups at particular times, these are exceptional measures. You should always check the latest announcements on the official UAE Government or ICP portals to see if any exemptions apply to your category before assuming that fines can be waived.
How does Emirates ID renewal for UAE nationals differ from expatriate residents?
For UAE nationals, Emirates ID renewal for UAE nationals can usually be initiated between six months and one month before the card expires, giving a relatively wide early window. For expatriate residents, Emirates ID renewal for expatriate residents is tied to residence visa renewal: you generally renew the visa first and then the ID. In both cases, once the printed expiry date passes, you have the same 30‑day grace period to avoid late fines.
Can expatriate residents use Fawri urgent Emirates ID services in Dubai?
Expatriate residents who are not GCC nationals can use Fawri in Dubai only for urgent replacement of lost or damaged Emirates ID cards, not for routine Emirates ID renewal or residence visa renewal. UAE nationals and GCC nationals residing in the UAE have broader access to Fawri, including for renewal of expired cards, at ICP Customer Happiness Centres.
Is the digital Emirates ID in the ICP app enough while I wait for the physical card?
The ICP UAE Smart app offers a digital wallet that stores an electronic version of your Emirates ID and residency, which many entities accept as a convenient reference. However, some organisations may still insist on seeing the physical card. You should therefore treat the digital ID as a useful complement, not a permanent substitute, and ensure you collect your physical card from Emirates Post within the specified 30‑day window.
Explained by
Amna Issa Abbas
Visa & AMER Services Consultant at EGSH
Amna Issa Abbas is a dedicated AMER centre service provider with two years of proven experience in delivering immigration and customer services, supporting clients, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
