UAE - ID Cards Compulsory For All Dubai Residence Permit Holders by 31 May 2012
Effective 1 April 2012, the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) has fully integrated ID card applications into the immigration procedure for foreign nationals. Registration for the national ID card is now compulsory and must be carried out as part of the immigration process.
How Are ID Card Applications Made?
Effective 1 April, 2012 foreign nationals applying for new residence permits or renewing expiring residence permits for the Emirate of Dubai must register for a national ID card as part of their immigration procedure. The ID card application, which includes giving fingerprints and having a digital photograph taken, can be submitted at the same time as the post arrival medical is carried out at one of Dubai’s Preventative Medicine Centres (PMC).
What Has Changed?
Previously, ID card registration in most of Dubai was not linked to the process of obtaining employment permits and could be arranged after the issuance of a residence permit stamp. After 1 April, 2012 however, independent registration remains an option only for those foreigners whose residence permits have already been issued.
What About Existing Residence Permit Holders?
Foreign nationals already resident in Dubai with residence permits but without ID cards must obtain one of the new biometric ID cards by 31 May 2012 at the latest. If they fail to do so, a daily fine of 20 dirhams will be applicable from 1 June 2012.
Action Items
- Ensure that all existing residence permit holders in Dubai are aware of the need to register for an ID card as soon as possible and no later than 31 May 2012.
