Your Emirates ID is the single most important identity document you carry in the UAE, required for banking, healthcare, travel, tenancy contracts, and virtually every government transaction. So when it goes missing, gets damaged, or expires, sorting out an Emirates ID replacement becomes urgent. The good news: the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) runs a dedicated replacement service, and the process is straightforward if you know the steps. This guide covers lost, damaged, and expired cards, the documents you need, the fees to expect, and how long it takes.
When Do You Need an Emirates ID Replacement?
There are three main scenarios:
- Lost card, the card is missing and cannot be found after a reasonable search.
- Damaged card, the card is cracked, the chip is unreadable, the photo is unrecognisable, or the printed data has worn off.
- Expired card, the card's validity has ended (usually aligned with your residence visa) and it must be renewed rather than simply replaced.
Lost and damaged cards follow the replacement track; expired cards follow the renewal track. The steps overlap heavily, but the distinction matters because renewal is tied to your visa renewal. If you are new to the process entirely, start with our Emirates ID guide for new UAE residents.
Step-by-Step: Replacing a Lost or Damaged Emirates ID
Step 1: Report a Lost Card (Recommended)
If your card is lost rather than damaged, it is wise to report the loss. You can do this at the nearest police station or through police smart services, and keep the report reference. While ICP's replacement application can generally be filed directly, having a loss report protects you if the missing card is misused.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
For a standard replacement application you will typically need:
- Original passport and a copy
- Copy of your valid residence visa or entry permit
- A recent passport-size photograph with white background
- The damaged card itself (for damage cases, do not throw it away)
- Loss report reference (for lost cards, where applicable)
- Sponsor's Emirates ID copy (for dependents, in some cases)
Requirements can vary slightly by emirate and applicant category, so confirm the current checklist at the time of application.
Step 3: Submit the Replacement Application
You have three main channels, all run under ICP:
- ICP smart services website (smartservices.icp.gov.ae), apply online from home or office.
- UAEICP mobile app, the fastest DIY route for most residents.
- Authorised typing centres and ICP customer happiness centres, best if you want a professional to check your file before submission, which is exactly what PRO VISA UAE does for clients.
After submission you will receive an application reference number by SMS and email. Keep it, you will need it for tracking and collection.
Step 4: Pay the Replacement Fee
The replacement fee depends on the remaining or new validity period of the card. Government fees for replacement are modest, charged per year of validity, with additional typing-centre or service charges if you apply through a centre. All fees are indicative as of 2026, confirm current fees with ICP before applying, as the fee schedule is updated from time to time.
If you need the card urgently, express processing is available at ICP customer happiness centres for an additional express fee, and in many cases the replacement card can be issued the same day.
Step 5: Biometrics (If Required)
Replacement applications do not always require fresh biometrics: ICP already holds your fingerprints and photo from your original application. However, if your appearance has changed significantly, if the original biometric capture was incomplete, or if the system flags your file, you may be asked to visit an ICP service centre for a new capture.
Step 6: Receive Your New Card
Once approved, the replacement card is printed and dispatched. Standard delivery is via Emirates Post to your registered address, with SMS tracking. With express service at a customer happiness centre, you can often collect the card in person the same day.
Replacing an Expired Emirates ID: The Renewal Track
An expired card is not replaced through the lost/damaged service, it is renewed, and renewal is linked to your residence visa status:
- Renew your residence visa first (or at the same time). A valid visa is a precondition for ID renewal in most cases.
- Apply for renewal through the same ICP channels listed above.
- Complete a medical fitness test if your visa renewal requires one (applicable to adults renewing residency).
- Pay the renewal fee for the new validity period, plus service charges.
- Collect the new card once issued.
Do not let an expired Emirates ID linger. An expired card can block bank transactions, prevent travel clearance, and complicate any government service you need. For the full renewal sequence tied to a new visa, see our guide to the Emirates ID process for new visa holders.
How Long Does Emirates ID Replacement Take?
- Standard applications: typically a few working days to about a week from approval to delivery, depending on printing and postal dispatch.
- Express applications at ICP customer happiness centres: often same-day issuance.
- Renewals tied to visa renewal: the timeline follows your visa process, the ID is usually issued shortly after the visa is finalised.
Delays almost always come from incomplete documents or mismatched personal details (for example, a name spelled differently on the passport versus the application). Double-check every field before submitting, or let a professional typing service review the file.
Documents Checklist at a Glance
For quick reference, keep these ready before you start:
- Passport (original + copy)
- Valid UAE residence visa copy
- White-background passport photo
- Damaged card (if applicable)
- Police loss report reference (if applicable)
- Application fee payment method
Replacing Emirates ID for Children and Dependents
The process for minors follows the same ICP channels, with a few differences:
- Children under 15 are generally exempt from biometric capture, a compliant photograph usually suffices.
- The application is filed by the parent or legal guardian, who must present their own Emirates ID and proof of relationship (attested birth certificate for newborns and young children).
- For dependents on a family visa, the sponsor's valid residency underpins the application, if the sponsor's own visa or ID is expired, resolve that first.
Newborns in the UAE follow a linked sequence: birth certificate, passport, entry permit/residence visa, then Emirates ID. Our newborn baby visa service manages that chain for parents.
Protecting Your Emirates ID: Practical Tips
- Photograph both sides of your card and store the images securely, it speeds up any future replacement.
- Use the UAEICP app's digital ID where accepted, so the physical card stays safe at home.
- Never laminate a damaged card or attempt DIY repairs; a tampered card can be rejected.
- Update your address with ICP when you move, so replacement cards are posted to the right place.
- Carry a copy, not the original, for everyday errands where the physical card isn't strictly required, most routine checks accept a clear copy alongside the digital ID.
- Report loss promptly. The gap between losing the card and reporting it is the window in which misuse is hardest to dispute. File the replacement application the same week the loss is discovered.
Official sources: UAE Government Portal · ICP – Identity & Citizenship
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I replace a lost Emirates ID in the UAE? Report the loss to the police (recommended), then apply for a replacement through ICP smart services, the UAEICP app, or an authorised typing centre with your passport, visa copy, and photo. Pay the replacement fee and collect the new card once issued.
What is the fee for Emirates ID replacement in 2026? The fee is charged per year of card validity plus service and typing charges, with an optional express fee for same-day service. All fees are indicative as of 2026, confirm current fees with ICP before applying.
Do I need new biometrics for a replacement card? Usually not: ICP reuses your existing biometric record. You may be asked for a fresh capture if your appearance has changed significantly or the system flags your file.
How long does it take to get a replacement Emirates ID? Standard applications typically take a few working days to about a week; express service at ICP customer happiness centres can often deliver the card the same day.
Can I travel while waiting for my replacement card? Travel generally requires valid identification linked to your residency. Check with your airline and GDRFA/ICP guidance before flying, and consider express processing if you have imminent travel plans.
What should I do if my Emirates ID is expired? Follow the renewal track: ensure your residence visa is valid or being renewed, apply for ID renewal through ICP channels, complete any required medical test, and pay the renewal fee. Do not delay, an expired card blocks banking and government services.
Fast, Error-Free Emirates ID Replacement with PRO VISA UAE
A replacement application takes minutes when the file is right, and days of back-and-forth when it isn't. PRO VISA UAE, part of NOR ALAYAM Documents Clearing Services LLC, prepares and submits Emirates ID replacements, renewals, and new applications daily through authorised channels, with every document checked before submission. Avoid the queues and the rejections.
Call us at +971 52 505 3494 or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/971525053494, we'll get your replacement sorted without the hassle.