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🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · National ID card

Emirates ID

Emirates Identity Card (UAE national identity card)

Emirates ID is the UAE's mandatory national smart-card identity document, issued to every citizen and resident by the ICP. It carries a unique 15-digit lifetime number plus a chip holding encrypted personal data and biometrics, and acts as the foundational credential for nearly all government and private-sector services.

What it does
Identity verification / KYCBiometric authenticationTravel / border controlQualified digital signaturesMobile credential (in person)
Country:🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Type:National ID card
Status:Live
Launched:2007
Issuer:Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
Who can get it:All UAE citizens and all residents
Format
National ID card
Identity attributes
15-digit lifetime ID numberNameNationalityDate of birthPhotographFingerprint biometrics
Authentication methods
Smart card chipBiometricPINDigital certificate
Common use cases
Proof of identity for government and private servicesOpening bank accountsTelecom subscriptionse-Gate border controlResidency and visa transactions
Standards
ISO/IEC 7810PKIFingerprint biometric matching
Coverage

Mandatory for the entire citizen and resident population

Interoperability

Underpins the national Population Register and serves as the foundational identity for UAE PASS and services across government and the private sector

Privacy and trust

Sensitive chip data is encrypted and access-restricted to authorized authorities, with the centralized Population Register governed by Federal Law No. 9 of 2006.

Identity verification providers

Independent identity verification vendors that support documents like this for KYC and onboarding. Exact document coverage varies by provider and region, so confirm support before relying on it.

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Official source
https://icp.gov.ae/en/

Emirates ID: frequently asked questions

Who needs an Emirates ID?
Every UAE citizen and every resident is legally required to hold one.
Is the Emirates ID number permanent?
Yes, the 15-digit identification number stays the same throughout the holder's life.
Educational reference, not official guidance. Confirm current details with the issuing authority. See United Arab Emirates data protection law · all United Arab Emirates schemes · identity verification vendors