Getting a new Emirates ID for the first time is part of becoming a UAE resident, not a separate errand you do on your own later. For most new residents, the Emirates ID application is bundled into the entry permit and residence visa process. Your employer or sponsor usually starts the visa side, and the ID side follows from it, with a medical fitness test, an ICP application, biometrics, and then card collection.
This guide covers the full first-time process: who needs to apply, what documents you need, how to apply online or through a typing centre, what happens at biometrics, how long it takes, and how to collect the card. It is different from a renewal, where your biometrics are usually already on file, and different from a replacement, where you already hold a card number. If you are renewing instead, read our guide on Emirates ID renewal.
Who Needs a First-Time Emirates ID
- Expatriate residents: anyone who has received a UAE residence visa or entry permit and does not yet hold an Emirates ID.
- UAE citizens: citizens applying for a first card, with a family book and passport as the core documents.
- GCC nationals: Gulf citizens residing in the UAE, with a passport and Gulf card as the core documents.
- Newborns: babies born in the UAE, where a parent applies on the child behalf using the birth certificate and a parent Emirates ID.
Your Emirates ID validity usually aligns with your visa duration, so the card expiry and visa expiry are linked. That is why a delay in the visa process usually delays the ID as well, and why starting promptly after your entry permit is issued matters.
Documents You Need
| Applicant Type | Core Documents |
|---|---|
| Expatriate resident | Original valid passport, residence visa or entry permit, passport photo meeting ICP specifications (white background, 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm) |
| UAE citizen | Original family book (Khulasat Al Qaid), original valid passport, colour photo on a white background |
| GCC national | Original valid passport, valid Gulf card (for applicants over 21) or a parent Gulf card (for applicants under 21), proof of UAE residency such as a tenancy contract or utility bill |
| Child under 15 | Birth certificate, plus a parent passport or Emirates ID, and a photo meeting the stated standard |
For employment visas, your employer may also ask for company details or a trade licence copy. For dependents, a tenancy contract, salary certificate, or birth and marriage certificates may be requested, depending on the visa type. Keep both originals and digital copies ready, as the online form asks for uploads and the centre visit asks for originals.
Check your passport validity before you start. Listings for first-time applications commonly advise at least six months of passport validity remaining. A photo that does not meet the ICP standard is a common cause of delay, so use a recent photo on a plain white background, without glasses or headwear except for religious headwear, and without smiling in the way the photo guidance forbids.
Step-by-Step: Apply for a New Emirates ID
- Start your residence visa process. Your employer or sponsor is responsible for this step unless you hold a self-sponsored visa. Before the medical fitness test, gather your documents and fill in the Emirates ID application form for submission.
- Complete the medical fitness test. For new residents, the mandatory medical fitness test comes before visa stamping and Emirates ID issuance. Your results are uploaded through the government system once you are declared fit.
- Submit the ICP application. Apply online through ICP Smart Services at icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP app, or visit an ICP-accredited typing centre. Choose New Identity Card Issuance, fill in your personal details and passport information, upload your passport copy and photo, and confirm your address for delivery or collection.
- Pay the fees. Fees depend on validity period and visa type. Our guide on Emirates ID fees breaks down the current fee structure, and the ICP portal shows the exact amount for your application before you pay. A typing centre charges a separate service fee on top of the government fee.
- Attend biometrics. If you are applying for the first time and are aged 15 or above, book and attend a biometric appointment at an ICP service centre for fingerprints, a photo, and in some cases an iris scan. Applicants under 15 may not be required to complete this step. If you are in Dubai, our guide on Emirates ID centres in Dubai lists the main centres and how to reach them.
- Track your application. Use your application reference on the ICP portal or app, or read our guide on how to check your Emirates ID status.
- Collect your card. Once approved, the card is sent for delivery or held for collection at the Emirates Post branch you selected. Bring your passport and visa details, and collect within the holding period shown in your notification, commonly up to 90 days, or the card may be returned.
Applying Online Versus Through a Typing Centre
Applying online through ICP Smart Services with UAE Pass is the cheapest route, as you pay only the government fee. You fill in the form yourself, upload documents, and pay by card. This suits applicants who are comfortable with online forms and whose documents are already scanned.
A typing centre suits applicants who prefer help with the form. Bring your original documents and one photocopy of each, and the centre completes the online form on your behalf for a service fee, commonly listed in the AED 30 to 70 range. The centre does not decide your application, it only submits it, and you still need to attend biometrics yourself if required.
How Long Does a First-Time Emirates ID Take
Standard processing commonly takes 5 to 10 working days after biometrics and approval, though exact timing depends on your visa type, medical results, and whether any document needs correction. An urgent Fawri service is mainly offered for lost or damaged card replacements, not as a standard first-time route, so do not plan a first-time application around a same-day promise unless the ICP portal offers it for your specific case.
Delays usually come from three causes: a photo that fails the standard, a name spelling that does not match your passport, or a medical or visa step that is still pending. Fix the underlying step first, then check status again, rather than submitting a second application, which can create a duplicate file.
After You Receive Your Card
Once you hold your Emirates ID, use it to complete the services that depend on it: bank account opening, health insurance registration, SIM card registration, Ejari tenancy registration, and UAE Pass activation. For SIM registration, note that telecom operators need your Emirates ID kept up to date. If you use du, read our guide on how to update your Emirates ID in du, and if you use Etisalat, read our guide on how to update your Emirates ID in Etisalat.
Keep your Emirates ID number safe, but do not share a photo of the card publicly or with unverified services. If your card is lost or damaged after issuance, that is a replacement case, not a first-time case, and our guide on lost Emirates ID replacement covers it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a new Emirates ID for the first time as an expat?
Start your residence visa process, complete the medical fitness test, submit a New Identity Card Issuance application through ICP Smart Services or a typing centre, pay the fees, attend biometrics if you are aged 15 or above, then track and collect your card.
Do I need biometrics for a first-time Emirates ID?
Yes, if you are aged 15 or above and applying for the first time. Biometrics usually means fingerprints and a photo at an ICP service centre. Applicants under 15 may not be required to complete this step.
What documents do I need for a first-time Emirates ID?
An original valid passport, a residence visa or entry permit, and a passport photo meeting ICP specifications. UAE citizens add a family book, GCC nationals add a Gulf card, and children under 15 need a birth certificate plus a parent document.
How long does a first-time Emirates ID take?
Standard processing commonly takes 5 to 10 working days after biometrics and approval, depending on visa type and document checks. Delays usually come from photo, name spelling, or pending medical or visa steps.
Can I apply for a new Emirates ID before my visa is stamped?
You can submit the application once your entry permit is issued, but the card is usually printed after your residence visa is stamped and your medical fitness result is recorded.
Where do I collect my first Emirates ID?
From the Emirates Post branch you selected in the application, or by delivery where that option was offered. Bring your passport and visa details, and collect within the holding period shown in your notification.
Conclusion
To get a new Emirates ID for the first time, follow the visa process in order: medical fitness test, ICP application, fees, biometrics at age 15 or above, status tracking, and collection. Starting promptly, matching your passport spelling exactly, and using a compliant photo avoids the most common delays.
Next steps: if you need to visit a centre, see Emirates ID centres in Dubai, or check Emirates ID fees for the cost for your validity period.