Emirates ID Renewal: Fees, Documents and Steps
You can renew your Emirates ID from up to six months before it expires, through the ICP website at icp.gov.ae, the UAEICP app, or an accredited typing centre. Residents pay AED 100 for each year of validity plus an AED 100 smart application fee. Processing takes about five days, or around 24 hours with the urgent Fawri service for AED 150 extra.
- Check your expiry date and renew within the six-month window.
- Apply at icp.gov.ae, in the UAEICP app, or at a typing centre.
- Give fingerprints and a new photo at a centre if asked.
When to renew your Emirates ID?
The renewal window opens six months before your expiry date, and there is no advantage to leaving it late. For residents, the card is normally tied to your residence visa, so a visa renewal usually triggers an Emirates ID renewal at the same time, as covered in our UAE visa and immigration guide.
After the card expires you have one month before penalties begin. Miss that, and ICP charges AED 20 for every late day, capped at AED 1,000. Because it accrues daily, a forgotten card gets expensive quietly. The penalty itself, including how to settle it, is covered in our Emirates ID fine guide. This page is about the renewal process.
What you need to renew Emirates ID?
The paperwork is light, but two details trip people up: the photo rules and the fingerprint requirement.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid original, with residence visa for residents |
| Personal photo | Recent, and not the same photo as on your current card |
| Fingerprints | Everyone aged 15 and over, captured at a service centre |
| Supporting documents | Employment, study or property papers, depending on your status |
The photo rule is the one most people miss. ICP requires a recent photograph that is not identical to the one already on your card, so reusing the old file will get the application rejected. Have a fresh photo taken instead.
How to renew your Emirates ID online?
Most renewals are done online, and you only visit a centre if biometrics are needed.
- Go to icp.gov.ae or open the UAEICP app and choose the ID card renewal service.
- Enter your Emirates ID number and confirm your personal details.
- Upload your recent photo and any supporting documents for your status.
- Pay the fees by card, and note the application reference you are given.
- Attend a service centre for fingerprints if you are asked to, then wait for the card.
If you prefer help with the forms, any accredited typing centre can submit the renewal for you for its own service charge. Once submitted, you can follow progress with our Emirates ID status check guide, which explains each stage and how delivery tracking works.
Emirates ID renewal fees
Fees depend on who you are and how long the card is valid for. Residents pay per year, while citizens pay a flat rate for a longer card.
| Who | Card fee | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | AED 100 per year of validity | AED 100 smart application fee |
| UAE citizens under 21 | AED 100 for a 5-year card | Application fee applies |
| UAE citizens 21 and over | AED 200 for a 10-year card | Application fee applies |
| GCC citizens | AED 100 for a 5-year card | AED 100 smart application fee |
| Urgent service (Fawri) | AED 150 extra | Card issued in about 24 hours |
A two-year resident card therefore costs about AED 300 in total: AED 200 for the two years plus the AED 100 smart application fee. Typing centres add their own charge on top, usually a modest amount for handling the paperwork. Standard processing runs to roughly five days, so pay for Fawri only if you genuinely need the card within a day. For the wider set of ID and residency tasks, see our Emirates ID guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I renew my Emirates ID?
Apply through icp.gov.ae, the UAEICP app, or an accredited typing centre. Enter your Emirates ID number, upload a recent photo and any documents for your status, and pay the fees. You may then need to visit a service centre for fingerprints before the card is printed and delivered.
How much does Emirates ID renewal cost?
Residents pay AED 100 for each year of card validity plus an AED 100 smart application fee, so a two-year card is about AED 300. UAE citizens pay AED 100 for a five-year card under 21, or AED 200 for a ten-year card at 21 and over. Urgent Fawri service adds AED 150.
How early can I renew my Emirates ID?
You can renew from up to six months before the expiry date. Renewing early costs no more and avoids any risk of the daily late fine, which starts one month after expiry at AED 20 per day, capped at AED 1,000.
Do I need new biometrics to renew?
Often yes. Everyone aged 15 and over must have fingerprints on file, and ICP may ask you to attend a service centre to capture them. You also need a recent photograph that is not identical to the one on your current card, so reusing the old image will not be accepted.
Last verified: August 2026
Written by Roman Shah ยท Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP); The UAE Government Portal (u.ae)
