Emirates ID Process for New Employees in the UAE

Quick answer: The emirates id process for a new UAE employee normally starts alongside the employer’s work permit and residence procedures. You submit your details through an approved ICP channel or a linked residence application, complete biometrics if required, pay the displayed fee, and receive the card by authorised courier.

You may have received an offer letter on WhatsApp, and someone may now be asking for money for “visa processing” or “Emirates ID charges”. Slow down. The emirates id process is a government service linked to your UAE residence process, and employers are responsible for recruitment expenses under UAE government guidance.

The UAE Government portal explains that recruitment, travel and residence-permit expenses are borne by the employer. Keep this in mind before sending money to an agent or an unknown bank account.

Who Needs An Emirates ID?

Foreign employees who live in the UAE under a residence permit need an Emirates ID. The card is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, commonly called ICP.

Your Emirates ID is connected to your identity record and residence status. It is used for many government, banking, telecom, tenancy and health-related services. Your employer usually coordinates the work permit, medical fitness test and residence procedures, but you still need to provide correct documents and attend any required appointment.

The employer may use the UAE’s Work Bundle for eligible private-sector employment procedures. The platform brings together work permits, residence procedures, medical fitness examinations and fingerprinting services required for Emirates ID issuance. Ask your HR contact which part they have completed and what you must do next.

Documents You Should Keep Ready

ICP’s new identity card service lists the passport and personal photograph among the documents used for the application. In a residence-linked application, information may be retrieved through government systems, but you should still keep clear copies with you.

• Passport: Check that your name, date of birth and passport number match the job and residence records.
• Recent personal photograph: It must meet the International Civil Aviation Organization, or ICAO, photo standards. Use a plain, recent photo rather than an old passport image.
• Proof of UAE residence: Keep the relevant residence or entry-permit details available, and check the current details on the official website.
• Medical fitness result: Employees aged 18 and above need a medical fitness examination for residence. The residence process requires a “Fit” result.
• Employment information: Keep a copy of your employment contract or other official proof of employment.
• Application reference: Save the reference number shown after submission. It can help you check the application status.

Make one folder on your phone and one backup in email or cloud storage. Include your passport bio page, residence details, medical result, contract, payment receipt and every SMS from ICP or your employer.

Do not upload your passport to a random WhatsApp number. Use the employer’s official HR contact, an approved service channel, or the ICP Smart Services website or app.

emirates id process Step By Step

1. Your employer starts the work and residence procedures. For a new overseas employee, the employer normally arranges the work permit and entry permit. The remaining residence and identity steps are then completed through the relevant government channels.
2. Complete the medical fitness examination. If you are 18 or older, you need a medical fitness test for the residence permit. Follow the appointment instructions from your employer or the relevant government channel.
3. Submit the identity card application. The emirates id process may use ICP Smart Services, the ICP Smart App, a Customer Happiness Centre, or a linked residence application. The approved channels listed by ICP can change, so check the current details on the official website.
4. Review the pre-filled information carefully. ICP says to review the application details and update the information if required. Ask for a correction before payment if anything is wrong.
5. Complete biometrics when required. Anyone who has completed 15 years of age must complete fingerprint and signature procedures through an ICP service centre. A new adult employee should be ready to attend if the application requires it.
6. Pay the displayed government charges. The amount depends on the service, residence period and application channel. Use the official payment screen or an ICP service centre. Do not pay a personal account described as an “agent fee”.
7. Track the application and receive the card. For standard service, ICP says the new card is delivered through an authorised courier. Urgent-service applicants collect it from the Authority’s centre. Keep your phone active because delivery or application messages may arrive by SMS or email.

The official ICP service page calls this service New Identity Card Issuance. It also states that the application may be cancelled if required procedures or corrections are not completed within the specified period. Do not ignore a request for updated documents.

How Much Does It Cost And How Long Does It Take?

ICP lists the resident identity card issuance fee as AED 100 for each year of residence, plus a smart service fee of AED 100 where that channel charge applies. The official service page lists urgent service at AED 150, available only through Authority service centres. Check the final amount shown on the official payment screen before paying.

ICP lists the service completion duration as 5 days for new identity card issuance. This is the stated service duration, not a promise that every employee will receive the card on the same calendar date. Missing documents, medical results, residence approval, biometrics or delivery issues can affect the process.

Your employer should explain which charges it is handling. UAE government guidance says the employer bears recruitment, travel and residence-permit expenses. If a person demands money to “release” your visa or promises an Emirates ID without a real employer, check the offer using the Fake Job Checker.

What Happens If Your Details Are Wrong?

Act before the card is printed. A spelling mistake in your name can create problems with banks, payroll, mobile registration and other records.

Contact HR and ask them to check the application data against your passport. If ICP returns the application for amendment, complete the correction through the same official channel. Save screenshots of the incorrect field, the corrected form and the request number.

Also check the delivery address. A shared accommodation address, staff housing or a building without a clear room number can cause a failed delivery. Give the courier a working mobile number and tell reception or security that an official card may arrive.

Renewal Basics For Employees

Your Emirates ID validity is linked to the residence permit period. When your residence status is renewed, the identity card is normally renewed with it through the relevant application. The official ICP renewal service says non-UAE nationals can apply when the card has expired or when less than six months remains before expiry.

For resident renewal, ICP lists a fee of AED 100 for each year of residence and a smart application fee of AED 100. Check the current fee on the official website because the final amount can depend on the service channel and linked residence application.

The renewal service may require a passport, a recent personal photo and proof connected to your residence or employment record. If fingerprints or a signature are required, ICP may direct you to a service centre. A recent photo must not be identical to the current photo printed on your Emirates ID card.

Do not wait until your last working day. Ask HR several weeks before your residence and ID expiry dates whether the renewal has been submitted. Your Emirates ID card expires when the linked residence visa expires, according to the UAE Government portal.

Common Mistakes New Employees Make

• Working on a visit visa: A visit or tourist visa is not a work permit. Follow the legal employment process before starting work.
• Giving money to an agent: Recruitment and residence-permit costs should not be pushed onto you by a genuine private-sector employer.
• Using an old photo: A photo that does not meet ICAO standards can delay the application.
• Ignoring the biometrics appointment: If ICP requires fingerprints and a signature, attend on the stated date or ask HR how to reschedule.
• Not checking the contract: Keep your signed employment contract and compare it with the job terms you were offered.
• Deleting messages: Keep every reference number, payment receipt, appointment message and delivery update.

If the employer changes the job, salary or work location after you arrive, ask for written clarification. You can also verify employment-related information through official UAE Government job guidance and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation channels.

How To Stay Safe During The Application

Use only ICP websites, the ICP Smart App, recognised service centres and your employer’s verified HR contact. ICP’s service page lists the official call centre as 600522222 inside the UAE and +971600522222 outside the UAE. Use those details if you need to check an application or service question.

Never hand over your original passport permanently. Your employer may need it for lawful processing, but you should know where it is and ask when it will be returned. Keep your own scan and do not share one-time passwords with an agent.

If you are still applying for work, prepare your CV with the free ATS CV Maker and apply through verified company career pages. A real job offer should identify the employer, job title, workplace, salary and contract terms. It should not depend on an upfront payment to a private person.

Once your employer confirms that the residence application and Emirates ID request are submitted, save the reference number and check the status through ICP. That small step can prevent weeks of confusion later in the emirates id process.