Emirates ID for Children and Newborns in the UAE
Children in the UAE need their own Emirates ID, including newborns. The card is applied for alongside the child’s residence visa, and costs AED 100 for each year of residence plus the smart service fee. Under-15s do not give fingerprints, but a photograph is still required. The card is valid for the same period as the child’s visa.
- Sort the child’s residence visa first, as the ID follows it.
- Apply for the Emirates ID in the same application.
- Expect a photo but no fingerprints for under-15s.
Every child needs an Emirate ID card?
There is no minimum age for holding an Emirates ID. It is mandatory for all UAE citizens and residents, and a child counts as a resident from the moment they hold a residence visa. That includes babies born in the UAE.
The card is not optional paperwork you can leave until later either. Children need it for school enrolment, health insurance, clinic visits and most other services, so a missing card causes practical problems quickly.
The key thing to understand is the order of events. The Emirates ID is tied to the child’s residence visa, so the visa is the anchor. For a newborn that means registering the birth and obtaining the birth certificate first, then the residence visa, with the Emirates ID handled as part of that same process.
Why under-15s skip fingerprints?
Fingerprinting begins at 15. Below that age, children are exempt from the fingerprint step, which is why a newborn can hold a card despite obviously being unable to provide prints.
| Age | Fingerprints | Photograph |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | Not required | Required |
| 15 and over | Required, all ten prints | Required |
Exempt from prints does not mean exempt from the process. A full application still has to be submitted and a photograph provided, so the paperwork is much the same as for an adult, minus the biometric appointment. Our Emirates ID biometrics guide covers what changes once a child turns 15.
That birthday matters for planning. Once a child reaches 15, their next application or renewal brings them into the fingerprint requirement, so expect an in-person appointment where earlier renewals needed none.
How to apply for a child?
The application is submitted by the sponsoring parent, usually as part of the child’s residence application rather than as a separate errand.
- Complete the child’s residence visa application, which the Emirates ID is attached to.
- Apply through icp.gov.ae, the UAEICP app, or an accredited typing centre.
- Provide the child’s passport, a recent photograph, and the sponsoring parent’s documents.
- Pay the fees and keep the receipt, since it carries the PRAN used for tracking.
For a newborn, the birth certificate comes first and typically needs attestation before the residence application can proceed. Because a child’s visa is granted under a parent’s sponsorship, the parent’s own residency and salary position matters, which our guide to the UAE family visa salary requirement explains.
Once submitted, the child’s application moves through the same stages as an adult one, and you track it with the PRAN using our Emirates ID status check guide.
Fees and validity
Children are charged on the same basis as adult residents, by the length of the residence period rather than a special child rate.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card fee | AED 100 for each year of residence |
| Smart service fee | AED 100 |
| Urgent service | AED 150 extra |
| Validity | The same period as the child’s residence visa |
So a child on a two-year visa pays around AED 300 in total, the same arithmetic as an adult. Because the card expires with the visa, a family renewing residence together will usually renew several cards at once. That is worth diarising, since the late-renewal penalty is charged per card and our Emirates ID fine guide shows how quickly several of those add up. The full set of ID tasks is in our Emirates ID guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do children need an Emirates ID in the UAE?
Yes. The Emirates ID is mandatory for all citizens and residents with no minimum age, so children need one from the moment they hold a residence visa, newborns included. It is required for school enrolment, health insurance and most everyday services.
Do babies need fingerprints for an Emirates ID?
No. Fingerprinting starts at age 15, so children under 15 are exempt. A photograph is still required, and a full application still has to be submitted, so the only step they skip is the biometric appointment itself.
How much is an Emirates ID for a child?
The same as for an adult resident: AED 100 for each year of residence, plus the AED 100 smart service fee. A child on a two-year visa therefore costs around AED 300 in total. Urgent service adds AED 150 if you need the card faster.
How long is a child’s Emirates ID valid?
It is valid for the same period as the child’s residence visa, so it expires when the visa does. Families sponsored together often have cards expiring on the same date, which means several renewals falling due at once.
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)
