FAQ

To enable acceptance of personal photographs via smart systems for all age, groups, the following specifications must be met:

• Image: high quality, recent, colored, not older than 6 months (mm 40 – 35)
• Background: White
• Features: natural facial expressions (natural, not exaggerated)
• Head position: straight, not tilted, parallel to the photographic lens
• Eyes: open towards the camera and without the use of colored lenses
• Glasses: acceptable as long as they do not obscure the eyes and do not reflect light
• Dress code: similar according to national dress or religious belief
• Resolution (pixels): at least 600 dpi without ink traces or shrinkage

Electronic smart channels:

New personal photograph:

• White background
• Face should be clear.
• No glasses allowed.
• Straight face.
• No modification or editors allowed

Service centers:

• Expired passport
• New personal photograph:
  • White background
  • Face should be clear.
  • No glasses allowed.
  • Straight face.
  • No modification or editors allowed/li>

For more information please visit the Card services: click here.

UAE citizens can renew their expired passport by:

• Original of the expired passport
• A personal photograph
• Fingerprint and signature should be available on ID cards for those who have completed the 15 years.
• An application for updating personal data (Personal photo , fingerprint and Signature ) on the ID card can be submitted through the main service centers

For more information please visit the Card services: click here.

Yes. It is possible to change the photograph by submitting an application for the same in one of the ICA’s customer Happiness centres.

GCC Nationals (Over the age of 15 years)
• The original valid passport
• The original Gulf identity card for the customer, who is older than 21 years old, or one of the parents who is less than 21 years old.
• A personal photo size (4.5 x 3.5 cm) with a white background for those younger than 15 years, for the elderly and those with determination whose health condition does not allow access to the service centers and they have medical reports proving that.
• The original birth certificate for those younger than 15 years old.
• A parent’s passport or an Emirati ID card (younger than 15 years)
• A valid medical report issued by the Ministry of Health or Health Authorities in the Emirates to exempt people of determination or elderly from the fees for issuing an identity card.
• The original agency certificate for the person acting on behalf of the customer in the event that the person concerned does not attend and the application is submitted by others
• Original diplomatic / consulate card / membership card of international organizations for the category of heads and members of diplomatic and consular missions and international organizations located within the country to be exempt from the fees for issuing an identity card.
• Presenting one of the documents shown below to prove residence within the country:
o a.The original document proving the relationship of kinship with a citizen up to the third degree, such as a Family Book – birth certificate – marriage contract. in addition to the original documents of the citizen (Family Book – passport – ID card).
o b.The original valid trade license.
o c.The original ownership of a residential or commercial property.
o d.Original study continuity certificate from one of the accredited schools, colleges or universities in the country.
o e.The original work certificate issued by a government institution in the country for workers in the government sector.
o f.A work contract certified by the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation for workers in the private sector.
o g.Proof of the residence of the customer with respect to the children with one of the documents mentioned above belonging to him or to one of the parents or vice versa.
o h.The original document of proof of kinship with a Gulf citizen working in the country, who is a regular student, investor, who has real estate up to the second degree, along with the original ID card of a Gulf citizen who wishes to register a relative with copies of the documents delivered upon his registration / renewal.
o i.The original document of proof of kinship with a resident of the country up to the second degree. With the original ID, passport and residence card valid for the resident who wishes to register a relative.

The ICA registers only those UAE nationals who possess passport and family book. As for these cases, they are not recorded in the population register system.

In the beginning, it is necessary to emphasize the need for the customer to review all the data included in his request and verify its accuracy before paying registration or renewal fees, whether it is in the printing office or through the electronic form, and in the event that the customer finds an error after completing the payment process and posting Request to the authority, he can request the authority to amend the phone number and the mailbox only, either through the call center or through the instant chat service on the authority’s website or through its pages on social media, as for modifying other data, it is only through offices To print or service centers in case the client receive a text message asking him to modify data or add certain documents before printing the card, In the event that the card is printed and the customer receives it, he must consult the nearest service center affiliated with the authority, taking with him the card he received and the official documents that prove the correctness of the data that will be modified and submit a request to replace the card.

An application for exemption from late registration fees can be submitted in the population registry system and ID card, or delay in renewing the card if 30 days have passed since it expired, through one of the approved printing offices or via the electronic form available on the authority’s website, so that the customer will fill Requesting the issuance or renewal and completing all the steps so that the fine appears to him in the tenth step, which is the step of paying the fees, and from there he can apply for the exemption Where he receives a SMS asking him to review the nearest service center, with him accompanying all the documents proving that the conditions of exemption apply to him, and he is answered by the center

The validity of the ID card is currently left to the UAE national’s choice. While applying for the issuance or renewal of the card, he can choose between five years or 10 years against fees of AED 100 and AED 200 respectively. This choice is given to two age groups of UAE nationals, namely, 15 years of age and above and 6-10 years. This choice is not available to applicants whose age is five years or below or in the age group of 11-14. As for the residents, the validity of their ID card is linked to the validity period of their residency.

Anyone who lost his ID card while in a foreign country should inform the UAE embassy in that country immediately and visit the Emirates ID’s nearest services centre soon after return to the UAE for applying for a replacement card via an approved typing centre.

In this case, you can visit the post office specified and show a valid identity document and the text message mentioned to the post office official. You will be able to collect the card.

Please follow the steps explained in the application form for registration and make sure you received the text message from the Emirates ID. Stick to the steps that each message specifies to complete the registration procedures.

ID card is mandatory for all age groups of UAE nationals and residents. It is an essential means to receive services in both the public and the private sectors. You must visit the nearest services centre and apply for ID card renewal via an approved typing centre.

Yes. You must replace your ID card in case the card holder gets married as it would lead to change in the surname of the wife for some nationalities. If no such change occurs, you must visit one of the customer services centres of the Emirates ID with the necessary documents to update the data in the ID card and in the population register system.

You can visit the Federal Government Job Portal for iRecruitment: click here.

For UAE and GCC nationals, the data have to updates in the population register system and ID card within 30 days from the day he turned 15. This can be done by submitting an application at one of the Authority’s customer services centres for fingerprinting and data updating. As for the residents, there is no need to do the same as the data are updated when the residency is renewed.

Once the card is printed, the Emirates ID sends it to the Emirates Post for delivery. The Emirates Post subsequently sends a text message informing the customer about the same and requesting to collect the card at the post office specified in the application form. If the customer does not collect the card within 90 days, the Emirates Post returns it to the Authority which in turn destroys the card. In this situation the customer should apply for a replacement card by paying the required fee.

People of Determination
ICA has been providing people of determination with several services to empower them and meet their needs and aspirations. It has also been working on enhancing employment prospects for people of determination and including them in different life and community activities and guarantee them dignified life and equal opportunities in all fields and services.
Online Services:
ICA is working to ensure people of determination are provided with access to information posted on its website:
• Direct support to obtain services by providing the virtual sign language assistant. This means that, when the user uses the pointer over a certain text, the avatar will translate the text into sign language.
• Text-to-speech service
• Listen to this page
• Change colors
• Night reading mode
Job opportunities for people of determination
ICA provides equal and fair job opportunities for citizens who are people of determination. It also provides appropriate training to polish their personal skills and enhance their role in building and developing the human capital.
Service for People of Determination in Customer Happiness Centers
• ICA provided guiding paths on the floor to direct people of determination with visual disabilities.
• Providing wheelchairs.
• Providing toilets dedicated to people of determination
• Providing lifts with large space for easy movement of wheelchairs
• Wide gates for easy access of wheelchairs.
• Parking areas dedicated to people of determination
The Elderly
• Exemption from Urgent Service Fees
• Elder people (70+ years old) unable to visit customer happiness centers in different emirates are exempted from urgent service fees in customer happiness centers, provided their age is proved by their family book, passport or any other document approved in the UAE and states the customer’s age.
• No fingerprints taken when renewing IDs, if their fingerprints have been already taken:
• Elder people (70+ years old) need no fingerprinting when they renew their ID cards, if their fingerprints have been already taken.
• No delay fines for people 70+ year-old who are unable to visit customer happiness centers
• Elder people (70+ years old) who are unable to visit customer happiness centers in different emirates are exempted from delay fines, provided their age is proved by their family book, passport or any other document approved in the UAE and states the customer’s age.

• Colored photograph for the sponsored.
• Dully attested birth certificate.
• Sponsored passport with validity of minimum 6 months.
• Emirates ID for the sponsored.
• Salary certificate minimum of (3000 aed+ accommodation or 4000 aed)
• Health insurance of the sponsor.

For more information, please visit the Card services: click here.

People who have overstayed in the country after the expiry of their residence visa need to pay 100 aed per day, plus 100 aed service fees paid on the border crossing point.

All the information is available online on our website and on our smart phone application. Issuing a residency permit for a domestic helper for a UAE citizen coasts (150) per year. (100) additional if it is urgent.

Resident Permit becomes invalid if the Resident resides out of the UAE for more than Six months.

Resident Permit becomes invalid if the Resident resides out of the UAE for more than Six months.

If you have relatives of the first degree (father, mother, spouse, son, daughter, father of the spouse or mother of the spouse) you can apply for entry permit section ” Long term single entry visa – tourist” allows relatives nonrenewable 90 days single visit, and “Short term single entry visa – tourist” the user can apply through the sponsor, the smart phone application, the website or the service centers.
If you do not have any first degree relatives, you can apply through the tours offices.

The procedures start as soon as our in charged employees receive the application, the user will be notified once it is done, it should be completed within 24 hours, some of the application might be subjected to management procedures therefor it might take longer, in case of approval, the visa will be sent via Email to the registered user

The employees of Federal Authority for Identity and citizenship who are entitled to answer the customers’ requests, information’s and complains, are available during the official working hours from 08:00 am to 04:00, Sunday to Thursday. Therefore it is best to use our services during working hours or else your request will be answered the following day.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship provides 14 communication channels to answer customer inquiries – including the call center 600522222, which operates over a 24-hour period.

You can find all the services of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship on the website and the smart application for smart services for residency and citizenship without the need to visit the service centers by filling electronic applications “eform” and attaching the necessary files via the system.

The system will inform you of the status of the transaction via text messages or your email during the registration process. You can also inquire by logging into your account and viewing the status of requests.

After approval of the residence request, you can refer to the service center, taking with you the sponsored passport and proof of residency (you will obtain it from the smart portal) and copies of the electronic application

The new system will enable you to pay the financial guarantees directly through the smart portal.

The smart portal enables you to verify the authenticity and reliability of electronic visas by visiting the smart portal at the following address: File Validity

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship provides 14 communication channels to answer customer inquiries – including the call center 600522222, which operates over a 24-hour period.

You can register for the service for free by visiting the website:https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae 

In the event the application is rejected or the financial security refund is due, you will receive a notification of the status of the request, and then you will be able to submit a request to recover the financial fee via the smart portal by filling out the request for recovery and choosing the method of financial recovery and it will be approved within several days (from 3 to 7 days) and inform you of the status the demand

You can submit an exception request through the website portal by filling out the application before electronic payment and sending the explanations necessary to clarify what is the exception and its details.

In the event of errors or shortcomings in the application’s attachments or the need for further clarifications, the request will be returned to the customer and the request will be sent again without the need to reject the request

To register an electronic complaint, please go to the website:https://cc.icp.gov.ae/Web/landing

Private Sector: sponsor’s passport copy. Salary certificate / photocopy of employment contract.
Public Sector: salary certificate / photocopy of tenancy contract.
Children visa: Birth certificate attested at the UAE embassy (in your home country) and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Wife’s visa: marriage contract attested at the UAE embassy (in your home country) and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
To know more please visit the website: click here

These are changing. Please check with the service provider.

One trip Entry Visa (Transit) for 48 hours

A service provided by the Ports Directorates (airports) to issue an entry transit visa for a period of 48 hours for one trip through airports. This visa entitles its holder to enter the State through the official authorized ports (air and sea). It is valid for 48 hours only before entry and cannot be extended. Departure shall be made before validity expiration.
Required Documents:

•  A personal photo with a white background
• A copy of the passport or a certified travel document
• Service Application related Steps
• Access (https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae) or use the Mobile application (ICAUAE echannels)
•  Choose one trip entry visa (Transit) for 48 hours service
•  Pay due charges and fees of the service

Service Application Requirements:

• Add documents and papers in the specific fields + a personal photo
•  Receive the service output (entry permit) by E-mailEnter data of the sponsor and the sponsored person
• The validity of the passport or travel document shall not be less than 3 months prior to entry
• Passengers shall have tickets to continue their trip
•  Passengers shall be travelling to a destination other than the one they are coming from
• Passengers shall leave the State within (48) hours after obtaining the visa

Fees:

• Transit visa for 48 hours: Free of charge.

Service Availability:

• The service is available 24/7

Notes:

• Before applying for a transit visa, remember that you do not need a transit visa if you are one of the nationalities eligible for visa on arrival or a visa-free entry to the UAE
•  No fees or additional amounts shall be Imposed by any federal, local or private entity
•  A departure fee of AED 30 shall be paid for each passenger passing through airports One trip Entry Visa (Transit) for 96 hours
• A service provided by the Ports Directorates (air and sea) to issue an entry transit visa for a period of 96 hours for one trip through air and sea ports. This is issued for the transiting foreigners who continue their trip to another country, travel by a ship anchored in any of the State ports, or wish to travel by the same, and the circumstances of work require them to enter the State. This visa entitles its holder to enter the State through the official authorized ports (air and sea). It is valid for 96 hours only before entry, and cannot be extended.

Required Documents:

•  A personal photo with a white background.
•  A copy of the passport or a certified travel document
• Service Application related Steps
• Access (https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae) or use the Mobile application (ICAUAE echannels)
•  Pay due charges and fees of the service
• Choose visa service (96) hours- transit
• Enter data of the sponsor and the sponsored person
• Add documents and papers in the specific fields + a personal photo
•  Receive the service output (entry permit) by E-mail

Service Application Requirements:

•  The validity of the passport or travel document shall not be less than 6 months prior to entry
• Passengers shall have tickets to continue their trip
• Passengers shall be travelling to a destination other than the one they are coming from
• Passengers shall leave the State within (96) hours after obtaining the visa

Fees:

•  Transit visa for 96 hours: AED 50
• Service Availability:
•  The service is available 24/7

Notes:

• A departure fee of AED 30 shall be paid for each passenger passing through sea and land ports. UAE nationals, GCC nationals, and those coming to the State by tourist ferries through seaports.

A business visa is part of the Golden Visa system under which foreigners can obtain a long-term visa for themselves and their dependents. It aims to create an attractive environment for businesses and the UAE’s economic growth.
You have to apply for the Golden visa through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. The procedure for nomination is as follows:

• Visit https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html#/goldenServicesDashboard and create a new account
• Once your account is verified, log in and apply for nomination
• Submit your completed application.

The UAE Government issues several types of visas and entry permits based on the purpose of your visit. Learn below about business visa, tourist visa, transit visa, student visa, retirement visa, eVisa for GCC residents and patient and his/her companion’s entry permits.
To know more about the types of Visas Please visit this link

To track your visa application, you need the application number and reference number. When you submit your visa application to any visa service provider, ask them to give you the application number and reference number so you can track the visa yourself through this link
Alternatively, for any enquiry regarding visa issuance, types and validity, communicate with ICA at the toll free number 600522222or through ICA feedback platform

You can apply for entry permits or visas through the website of Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship- ICA (the eChannel for residency and citizenship) Mobile application the ICA UAE eChannels for Apple and Android and offline channels like Typing centers

The Golden Visa is another ecosystem Visa of long-term residence visas in the UAE issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (8) 2021 regarding the Regulation of Golden Visa permits by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and includes a residence visa in the UAE for a period of 5 years or 10 years depending on the categories
The Golden Visa is one of the most attractive forms of Long Term residency in the UAE, aimed at creating an attractive environment for business and growth and attracting Investors, entrepreneurs, Specialized talents, researchers, Scientists, Doctors and Outstanding students with promising scientific capabilities to UAE.

The decision shall apply to foreigners of the following categories:

• Investors in Public Investment in the UAE and from all over the world
• Entrepreneurs in the field of entrepreneurship in the UAE and from all over the world
• Specialized talents and researchers in the fields of science and knowledge in the UAE and from all over the world
• Outstanding students with promising scientific capabilities in the UAE and from all over the world

The foreigner who invests his money in the country to achieve gains or returns

A foreigner who owns an economic project of a technical or future nature based on risk and innovation, in accordance with the controls referred to in this decision

A foreigner who possesses superiority, skill, leadership, or outstanding talent in the fields of science, knowledge, or various sports and other fields

A student who graduated from high school or from the university who obtained the grades described in this decision.

• Investors from outside UAE are granted a multiple-entry visa for a period of 6 months
• The investors and business leaders are allowed to enter UAE for a period of 6 months with a multiple-entry visa to assess The Business Projects in one of the Emirates, after completing the establishing of the business project and fulfilling the requirements of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, then the visa will be converted into a Golden Visa of 10 Years
• If you are a resident, you will obtain a temporary visa for a period of (1) month and you will be required to convert your temporary visa to a Golden Visa during this period.
• As per the regulations and the conditions, the resident may sponsor their family (wife, children and parents)
• Owning investment projects such as real estate, trade and industry
•  For entrepreneurs, they can nominate 3 employees or partners in the project to obtain the golden Visa
•  Outstanding students are able to sponsor their families whenever they have the financial Potential.

What are the conditions and criteria for obtaining the Golden Visa?

The golden Visa system enables individuals to obtain residency for 10 years to increase UAE’s competitiveness and create an attractive environment for business and growth.

An investor in public investment
The Terms, Conditions and Procedures for issuing a visa is as follows:

1. Have a business idea or business plan that you wish to establish legally in the UAE
2. A letter from an investment fund approved in the UAE stating that there is a deposit of 2 million dirhams Or Valid commercial or industrial license with the company’s incorporation contract with the investor so that the investor’s capital is not less than 2 million dirhams
3. On the other hand, investing in a new or existing company as a partner with shares of a minimum of AED 2 million, not financed by a loan.
4.  or letter from the Federal Tax Authority stating that he is the owner of a company that pays the government no less than 250 thousand dirhams annually

Real estate investor

The Terms, Conditions and Procedures for issuing a visa is as follows:

• letter from the Real Estate Registration Department in the relevant emirate stating that he owns one or more properties whose value is not less than 2 million dirhams, stating that the property is not subject to a loan
•  Proof of housing in the country (home ownership or house rental contract).

Entrepreneurs

The Terms, Conditions and Procedures for issuing a visa is as follows:
Approval Letter from an auditor in the UAE stating that the project value is not less than 500,000 dirhams (project owner).

1.  Approval Letter from the authorities in the emirate stating that the project is of a technical or future nature in which leadership is achieved (project owner)
2.  Approval Letter from an accredited business incubator in the UAE to establish the proposed activity in the country (founder of a project)
3.  A valid Passport copy
4. Valid Health insurance Card is not less than one year and can be extended
5.  Proof of housing in the country (home ownership / house rental contract)
6.  This type of application is submitted according to the procedures, with the exception of the emirate of (Abu Dhabi and Dubai). The submission is made through the approved business platform incubator (currently, AREA 2071 in Dubai and HUB71 in Abu Dhabi)

Once your nomination has been approved, you will be invited to apply for the visa through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

Outstanding Specialised Talents
The following professions include (doctors / scientists / creative people of culture and art / inventors / executives / specialists in scientific fields / athletes / doctoral degree holders / specialists in the fields of engineering and science and the following majors include: “epidemiology and viruses / artificial intelligence / big data / Computer engineering, electronics, software, electrical, genetics and biotechnology.

The Terms, Conditions and Procedures for issuing a visa is as follows:

1.  Talented people (doctors and scientists)

•  Approval Letter from the Ministry of Health in the country to practice the profession of medicine (doctors).
• Recommendation letter from the Emirates Council of Scientists or a letter from the Secretariat of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Academic Excellence stating that he is a recipient of the Academic Excellence Medal (Scholars).
• A valid Passport copy
• Valid Health insurance Card is not less than one year and can be extended

2.  Talented people (doctors and scientists)

Creative people in the Fields of culture, art and Innovators

• An approved letter from the Department of Culture and Arts in the relevant emirate. (People of culture and art)
• A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy (for inventors)
•  A valid Passport copy
• Valid Health insurance Card is not less than one year and can be extended
  Executive Directors
• Holding a certified degree from the university
•  Minimum 5 years of experience.
•  Salary not less than AED 50,000
•  Valid work contract
•  Valid Passport copy
• Valid Health insurance Card is not less than one year and can be extended Specialists in the Fields of science and athletes
• Having a specialized certificate in one of the rare fields specified by the authorities in the country (scientific fields of priority)
• Having a recommendation letter from the General Sports Authority or one of the sports councils (athletes).
• Valid Passport copy
• Valid Health insurance Card is not less than one year and can be extended Holders of doctoral degrees and specialists in the fields of engineering and science
• Having a certified copy of the PhD from the Ministry of Education in one of the priority disciplines (PhD degrees)
• Bring a certified copy of the university degree from the Ministry of Education in one of the above-mentioned majors (engineering and science fields)
• Bring a work contract for a profession in one of the above-mentioned specializations (engineering and science fields)
•  Valid Passport copy
• Valid Health insurance Card is not less than one year and can be extended Outstanding Students

The Terms, Conditions and Procedures for issuing a visa is as follows:

Outstanding Students (High School Student)

•  Bring a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education
• The duration of the Golden Visa is (5) years for a high school without the need for a Sponsor inside the UAE, and it may be extended by the authority if he is enrolled in one of the specialties / colleges in the UAE that requires the study period more than (5) years (such as medical Universities )
• The students may sponsor the parents and their Brothers (subject to the conditions and requirements as set out by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship)

Outstanding Students (University Student)

• A recommendation letter from the university stating that his GPA is not less than (3.8)
•  The duration of the Golden Visa is (10) years, and may sponsor the parents and their Brothers (subject to the conditions and requirements as set out by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship)
•  The students are able to sponsor their families (wife and kids) whenever they have the financial Potential

• The application will be canceled electronically after the lapse of (30) days in the event that the application is returned due to missing data or non-completion of the required documents.
• The application will be canceled if it is returned (3) times due to missing data or non-completion of the required documents.
•  Issuance fees are refunded only if the application is rejected by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
•  Rules and regulations are subject to change without notice.

• You can choose the preferred channel to Submit your completed application, whether through the website, the smart Mobile application, or to visit personally the Registration center
•  Pay the Fees
• You will receive a MSM and an email stating that the Application has been received
•  You will receive a MSM and email stating that your application in process