How to Apply for a New Emirates ID? Easy Guide 2026
A first-time Emirates ID is applied for through the unified application that also covers your residence permit, so for most new residents it runs alongside the visa process. Residents pay AED 100 for each year of residence, plus the smart service fee. You give fingerprints at an ICP service centre, and the card arrives in about five days. ICP does not charge for delivery.
- Apply through the unified Emirates ID and residence application.
- Attend an ICP centre for fingerprints and a photo.
- Track the card with the PRAN on your receipt.
Who needs to apply or a New Emirates ID?
Holding an Emirates ID is mandatory for every UAE citizen and resident, so a first-time application is one of the first things a new arrival deals with. In practice you rarely apply for it in isolation.
ICP runs a unified application covering both the Emirates ID and the residence permit, which means the two are handled together. The residence side of that process is covered in our UAE visa and immigration guide. For most employees, the company PRO or a typing centre submits this as part of the visa process, and your part is attending the biometrics appointment. If you are already a resident and your card is simply expiring, you need a renewal instead, covered in our Emirates ID renewal guide.
How to apply for a new Emirates ID?
The application can be submitted online or through an accredited typing centre, but the fingerprint step always happens in person.
- Submit the application at icp.gov.ae, through the UAEICP app, or via a typing centre or your employer’s PRO.
- Provide your passport with the residence visa or entry permit, and a recent personal photo.
- Pay the fees, and keep the receipt, because it carries your PRAN application number.
- Attend an ICP service centre to give fingerprints. Everyone aged 15 and over must do this.
- Wait for the card to be printed and delivered, usually about five days in total.
The biometrics appointment is the step that determines your timeline. An application will sit at the first stage until fingerprints are captured, which is the most common reason a new card seems stuck.
New Emirates ID fees
Residents are charged by the length of the residence period, so a longer visa means a higher card fee. Citizens pay a flat rate for a longer card.
| Applicant | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residents | AED 100 for each year of residence |
| UAE citizens under 21 | AED 100 for a 5-year card |
| UAE citizens 21 and over | AED 200 for a 10-year card |
| Smart service fee | AED 100 |
| Urgent service | AED 150, at ICP service centres only |
One point worth knowing: ICP states that it does not charge a fee for delivering the card. If a service asks you to pay separately to have your Emirates ID delivered, that charge is not an official ICP fee. Typing centres do legitimately charge for handling your paperwork, which is a different thing.
What happens after you apply?
Once submitted, your application moves through review, printing and delivery. You follow it using the PRAN printed on your receipt, since a new card does not yet have an Emirates ID number to search by.
Our Emirates ID status check guide explains where to find the PRAN, what each stage means, and how to track the card with Emirates Post once it is dispatched. Keep the receipt safe until the card is in your hand. After that, the main thing to watch is the expiry date, because the late renewal fine runs at AED 20 a day once the grace month passes. The full set of ID tasks is in our Emirates ID guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for an Emirates ID for the first time?
Apply through the unified Emirates ID and residence application at icp.gov.ae, in the UAEICP app, or via a typing centre or your employer’s PRO. Provide your passport and a recent photo, pay the fees, then attend an ICP centre for fingerprints if you are 15 or over.
How much does a new Emirates ID cost?
Residents pay AED 100 for each year of residence, plus the AED 100 smart service fee. 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 service costs AED 150 and is available at ICP service centres.
How long does a first Emirates ID take?
ICP lists about five days for the service, with delivery on top. The biggest variable is your fingerprint appointment, since the application does not progress until biometrics are captured. Urgent service can produce the card within roughly 24 hours at main ICP centres.
Is there a delivery fee for the Emirates ID?
No. ICP has stated that it does not charge fees for card delivery. Any request to pay separately for delivery of your Emirates ID is not an official ICP charge. Accredited typing centres do charge their own service fee for handling the application, which is separate and legitimate.
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)
