About ICP

Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) was established on Sha’ban 15, 1425H corresponding to September 29, 2004 under the name “Emirates Identity Authority” under Federal Law No. (2) for the year 2004 to establish the “Population Register and Emirates Identity Card Program”, which included recording personal and vital data for all population in the state and keeping them in electronic databases in coordination with the competent authorities, and issuing the Emirates ID Card for each individual to be registered and to contain the Emirates ID number, readable data and data stored on an electronic chip, which can be used in all entities.

Since its establishment, ICP has specialized in providing identification and confirmation services of Identity for individuals to federal and local government authorities and any other entities and determining the means applicable in this regard. The Law has given ICP, for such purpose, the right to request the necessary data and information from the competent authorities in the State to serve its objectives.

The Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 2017 is a significant and important turning point in the work of ICP after it was decided to change its name to be “Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship” and to add new functions to its Terms of Reference namely citizenship Affairs, passports, entry and residence of foreigners in the state, and transfer the terms of reference and powers assigned to the Ministry of Interior to ICP in this regard.

Mandate of ICP

The Federal Decree-Law No. 2 of 2004 stipulated the establishment of ICP as a federal government authority with legal personality and independent budget. It undertakes registering population data and issuing Emirates ID cards. The Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 2017 amended the aforementioned Federal Decree-law. The terms of reference and powers assigned to Ministry of Interior, in terms of nationality affairs, passports, entry and residence of foreigners in the State and contained in the laws, regulations and decisions in force, shall be transferred to ICP, so that ICP are entitled to:

• Registering personal data for the whole population in the state and saving the same at the electronic databases in coordination with the competent authorities
• Registering the vital statistic data and connecting the same to the personal data
• Issuing Emirates ID cards consisting of the unified number, readable data and the data saved on the electronic chip to be delt with before all authorities
• Upgrading data
• Providing individuals’ identity confirmation and identification services before all federal and local government authorities and any other entities in addition to determining the applicable means in this regard in accordance with the executive regulations.
• The right to request the required data and information which may serve the objectives of ICP from the competent authorities in the state.
• Setting the general policy in terms of nationality affairs, passports, entry and residence of foreigners in the state in coordination with the competent federal and local authorities and implementing the same after being approved by the Cabinet
• Proposing draft laws related to nationality affairs, passports, and the entry and residence of foreigners in the state
• Preparing regulations, laws, rules and procedures governing nationality, passports, entry and residence of foreigners in the State and issuing them in accordance with Law
• Deciding the applications related to the establishment of the original or dependent nationality, loss or recovery of nationality in accordance with the Nationality and Passports Law and its Executive Regulations
• Proposing the ports designated for entering or leaving the state and a Decree of determining the same shall be issued by the Cabinet
• Issuing, renewing or withdrawing the regular or temporary passports after giving them in accordance with the Nationality and Passports Law and its Executive Regulations
• Setting the rules governing the procedures and conditions for residents of the State to obtain entry permits for foreigners residing outside the State and submitting them to the Cabinet for issuance
• Deporting, detaining of foreigners and the issuance of permits to deport foreigners in accordance with Law
• Proposing fees related to nationality affairs, passports, entry and residence of foreigners in coordination with local authorities and submitting them to the Cabinet for issuance
• Collecting and documenting data, information and statistics related to nationality affairs, passports, and the entry and residence of foreigners in the state
• Representing the State in Arab, regional and international conferences and meetings whose activities are related to the nature of the ICP’s work and following-up the implementation of the decisions issued in coordination with the competent authorities in the State
• Any other duties assigned to ICP by the Cabinet