For any UK entrepreneur or professional relocating to the UAE, the Emirates ID in UAE is more than just a piece of plastic—it is the ultimate proof of identity, residency, and legal status. Essentially, one needs to understand the smooth connection between your residency permit in UAE and the issuance of your UAE identity card for an easy transition.
This comprehensive guide by Flyingcolour® breaks down the compulsory steps, clarifies the requirements for Dubai residency visa, and describes precisely how to get an Emirates ID card so as to secure your United Arab Emirates residence status from day one.
Defining the Core: Emirates ID and Residency Status
The Emirates ID is the mandatory national identity card for all citizens and residents of the UAE. It is issued by the ICP, or Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. The Emirates ID is intrinsically related to your residency permit UAE.
Why ID in UAE is important
The Emirates ID is required in nearly all legal and transactional activities in the country:
- Legal Identification: This replaces your passport for all domestic transactions in the country, such as banking, signing of contracts, and travel across GCC.
- Government Services: These are required for access to services such as the healthcare system, paying utility bills, and enrolling children in school.
- Travel: It is used at airport e-gates for smooth entry and exit for United Arab Emirates residence holders.
The Interdependence of Emirates ID in UAE and Residency
The UAE Emirates ID card cannot be obtained without a valid residency permit uae (residence visa), and the validity of the Emirates ID corresponds to the validity of the visa, which is usually 2, 3, 5, or 10 years. Both documents are legally inseparable.
The Link: Residency Permit UAE and Visa Sponsorship
The first step in securing your Emirates ID UAE is determining your sponsorship pathway. Your residency visa is the legal permission to live in the country, while the Emirates ID is the physical manifestation of your status.
A. Investor Visa (The Entrepreneur's Choice)
- Definition: Residency based on establishment of a compliant local business - Mainland or Free Zone.
- Requirement: The Dubai residency requirement is the ownership/ partnership stake in a licensed Dubai company.
- Duration: Typically 2 or 3 years but also allows for a 10-year Golden Visa.
B. Employment Visa
- Definition: Residency provided based on a formal work contract with a company in the UAE.
- Requirement: Must be sponsored by the hiring company under the rules and regulations of MOHRE.
C. Golden Visa (Premium Status)
- Definition: A 5- or 10-year valid visa status, depending on one's substantial investment—for instance, AED 2 million in real estate—or exceptional professional talent.
- Advantage: Provides maximum stability, reduces bureaucracy of renewal.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Emirates ID Card and Stamping
The process of securing the UAE Emirates ID card and final visa stamping follows a sequence for which there are three compulsory steps after you obtain the initial Entry Permit.
Step 1: Compulsory Medical Fitness Test
Health screening for all applicants from a government-approved medical center. Preferably DHA or equivalent.
- Purpose: Testing for contagious diseases, such as HIV, Tuberculosis, proving fitness for United Arab Emirates residence.
- Risk: Visa denial and subsequent deportation if one fails the medical test.
Step 2: Biometric Data and Emirates ID Application
The applicant has to visit an ICP centre straight away after the medical test for the completion of the Emirates ID Application.
- Requirements: Submission of fingerprints, facial photographs, and digital signature at the time of issuance of the ID card in UAE.
- Timing: The processing of the Emirates ID starts here, but the card will be printed only after the stamping of the visa.
Step 3: Final Visa Stamping and Issuance
When the final approval is given by GDRFA, the visa gets connected with your Emirates ID digitally.
- UAE Visa Stamping Fees: This is the final government fee paid for the issuance of the visa itself.
- Final Delivery: A physical UAE Identity Card will be printed and delivered through a courier (Emirates Post) to your specified UAE address.
Dubai Residency Requirements: Costs and Validity
Understanding the cost and validity of your residency status is important to long-term planning for setup business in Dubai.
Costs and Fees
The full cost will include the government fees of the Entry Permit, the medical test, the final stamping, and the Emirates ID UAE fee itself.
- 2-Year Visa: The total government fees for the 2 years residence visa Dubai cost range between AED 3,500 to AED 5,500 (approx. £770 - £1,200), not including the obligatory annual medical insurance.
- Attestation: In the case of sponsoring family, documents such as marriage certificates have to be legally attested from the UK, with considerable extra cost and time involved.
United Arab Emirates Residency Validity
The validity of the Emirates ID directly follows that of the underlying visa, which is given in a span of 2, 3, 5, or 10 years. Renewals have to be done before expiration to avoid heavy fines for overstay.
The Flyingcolour® Advantage: Securing Your ID in UAE
This multistage process involving GDRFA, DHA, and ICP can be pretty confusing and time-consuming for a UK expat. Flyingcolour® specializes in making your journey to securing your residency permit uae and Emirates ID in UAE efficient and transparent.
- Integrated Management: We handle coordination across the three government authorities involved, which are GDRFA, DHA, and ICP. We handle appointments for medical tests and biometrics.
- Document Accuracy: We prepare all the required documents for the application of the Emirates ID card with the utmost care to avoid rejection, which is generally the cause for delays in processing.
- Status Clarity: We track your status continuously to make sure the final UAE Emirates ID card is delivered as soon as possible to your address.
Trust Flyingcolour® for maximum efficiency in securing your UAE Identity Card and long-term Dubai residency requirement.
Conclusion
The Emirates ID is the key to life and business in the UAE, so it's essential that every UK professional secures this ID card in the UAE as quickly and compliantly as possible. Understanding the necessary steps and with expert support, your transition into residence status in the United Arab Emirates can be smoothly and securely made.
FAQs
Q1. How long does it take to receive the physical Emirates ID after the visa is stamped?
A. In general, the physical UAE Identity Card is printed and dispatched by courier to your address, taking around 5-10 working days after the completion of visa stamping. You will receive an SMS notification confirming delivery.
Q2. Do I still need my passport stamp, now that I have the Emirates ID?
A. No, the physical Emirates ID card is now the primary and official proof of your residency permit uae status for domestic purposes and border control (e-gates). The physical visa sticker in the passport has largely been replaced by the digital linkage to the Emirates ID.
Q3. Can I open a bank account with just the Emirates ID Application receipt?
A. Many banks in Dubai will start the process of opening your account once you have official residency approval and the Emirates ID application receipt with your unified ID number; however, the account will often remain restricted until the physical UAE Emirates ID card is scanned and verified.
Q4. What is the biggest difference between Emirates ID and Dubai's residency requirement?
A. The Dubai residency requirement means the basic legal entitlement, or in other words, the visa issued by GDRFA/ICP, to reside here. The Emirates ID is the physical card given by ICP, serving as an identity document proving that you hold valid residency status.
Q5. Can Flyingcolour® manage the whole visa process for my family, including their Emirates ID Application?
A. Yes, Flyingcolour® takes care of the whole end-to-end process, which involves scheduling medical tests for the dependents, if over 18; biometric data submission; Emirates ID Application; and the whole cost of residence visa in UAE is transparently managed.