Your Emirates ID renewal is due every time your residence visa is renewed — the card’s validity follows the visa. Renew online in about 15 minutes on icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP app, and the new card arrives by courier within a week. Miss the deadline, though, and a AED 20-per-day late fine starts ticking after just 30 days.
This guide covers the 2026 renewal process end to end: when to renew, the exact steps, the fees, the grace period and late fine, and what to do if your card has already expired.
When Should You Renew?
- Renew up to 6 months before expiry — residents and GCC nationals can apply early; there is no benefit in waiting.
- Renew together with your visa — the card validity mirrors the residence visa, so most people renew both in the same cycle. See our residence visa status guide.
- 30-day grace period after expiry — no fine accrues in the first 30 days past the expiry date.
- AED 20/day after the grace period, capped at AED 1,000 — and the fine must be paid before the new card is issued.
How to Renew Online: Step by Step
- Go to icp.gov.ae → Services → Emirates ID → Renew ID Card, or open the UAEICP app and log in with UAE Pass.
- Enter your Emirates ID number — the system pulls your current details automatically.
- Review and update your details: address, marital status, employer. Corrections now save a separate update later.
- Upload a new photo if requested, meeting the photo requirements (35 × 40 mm, white background).
- Pay the fee: AED 100 per year of validity plus the service fee. Late fines, if any, are added at checkout — see the 2026 fee breakdown.
- Biometrics (only if requested) — most renewals skip this if your fingerprints are already on file; new photos may still require a centre visit.
- Receive your card — approval in 24–48 hours, then printing and Emirates Post delivery in about 5–7 working days. Track it here.
Renewing at a Typing Centre
Prefer help with the form? Authorised typing centres process renewals for a service charge of around AED 30–70 plus government fees. Bring your passport, current Emirates ID and a compliant photo. This route suits anyone updating several details at once or renewing for family members in one visit. Locations: Emirates ID centres guide.
Late Renewal: Fines, Waivers and What Happens
If your card expired more than 30 days ago, expect a AED 20/day fine up to AED 1,000. The fine appears during the renewal application and must be cleared before the new card prints.
Can the fine be waived? ICP allows exemption requests in specific cases — for example, being outside the UAE for an extended period, hospitalisation, or system errors — under the “Request for Exemption from Delay Fees” service. Approval is discretionary and needs supporting documents.
While you wait for the new card, the digital Emirates ID in UAE Pass or the UAEICP app remains valid for most government services and banks. And remember to update your new ID with Etisalat/du once it arrives, or your mobile line may be suspended.
Watch: Video Walkthrough
A visual run-through of the process:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my Emirates ID online?
Go to icp.gov.ae → Emirates ID → Renew ID Card, or use the UAEICP app with UAE Pass login. Enter your ID number, update your details, upload a photo if asked, pay AED 100 per year plus the service fee, and the new card arrives by courier in about a week.
How much does it cost to renew an Emirates ID?
AED 100 per year of card validity plus a service fee (about AED 100 online, AED 30–70 at typing centres). A 2-year renewal costs roughly AED 300 online. Any late fines are added at checkout — see the full 2026 fee list.
How early can I renew my Emirates ID before it expires?
Up to 6 months before the expiry date for residents and GCC nationals. Renewing early is recommended — it avoids any risk of the late fine and the new validity runs from the old expiry date.
What is the fine for renewing my Emirates ID late?
AED 20 per day after a 30-day grace period from expiry, capped at AED 1,000 per card. The fine accrues until you submit the renewal application, and must be paid before the new card is issued.
Do I renew my Emirates ID through the UAE Pass app?
You renew on icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP app, logging in with UAE Pass. UAE Pass itself is the login method rather than the renewal channel — though your renewed digital ID appears in the UAE Pass app automatically.
Do I need to give fingerprints to renew my Emirates ID?
Usually not. If your biometrics are already on file from your first application, renewal skips the fingerprint step. A centre visit may still be needed if ICP requests a new photo.
Can I travel while my Emirates ID renewal is processing?
Yes — travel depends on your residence visa, not the physical card. Carry your passport and keep the digital Emirates ID in the UAE Pass or UAEICP app handy; it is accepted at most checkpoints and government counters.
What happens if my Emirates ID expires?
You get a 30-day grace period, then AED 20/day fines up to AED 1,000. An expired card can block banking, SIM services and government transactions until renewed — so renew promptly and check your card’s status if unsure.
Emirates ID guides: Complete Guide · Fees 2026 · Status Check · Fine Check · Digital ID · Visa help: Residence Visa Status · Overstay Fine Check
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