Lost Your Emirates ID? Here’s What to Do Next!

The Emirates ID is a vital form of identification for UAE residents, issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). All UAE citizens, residents, and GCC nationals must carry their Emirates ID at all times. If you find yourself saying, "I lost my Emirates ID, how to get a new one," don’t worry! This guide will walk you through each step to reissue an Emirates ID.

Key Takeaways

• If your Emirates ID is lost, the replacement fee is AED 400.
• Standard processing takes 5 working days from ICP; an urgent service is available at ICP service centres for an additional AED 150.
• Applications can be submitted through the ICP Smart Services website, the UAEICP app, or an ICP Customer Happiness Centre.
• Anyone aged 15 or above must complete fingerprinting as part of a replacement application.
• A digital version of the Emirates ID, accessible through the UAEICP app and UAE Pass, can be used for most transactions while a physical replacement is being processed.
• Delaying the report of a lost Emirates ID can attract a fine of AED 20 per day.

Why You Should Immediately Report a Lost Emirates ID

The Emirates ID is the primary form of identification used across the UAE. It is required for banking, healthcare, telecommunications, immigration procedures and access to government services. Since 2022, it has also replaced the traditional visa sticker, with immigration authorities verifying residency status directly through the card's embedded chip.

If your Emirates ID is lost and the loss goes unreported, the card remains active in ICP’s system, which creates a risk of identity misuse, fraudulent financial activity or unauthorised access to services registered under your details. 

Reporting the loss to ICP immediately deactivates the card, closing off that risk. Prompt reporting also keeps the replacement process moving smoothly, since the loss report is what ICP's system references when the replacement application is submitted. If you delay reporting the loss, it will cost you a fine of AED 20 per day.

I Lost My Emirates ID, What Should I Do?

If your Emirates ID is lost, here’s a step-by-step procedure on how to replace it.

Step 1: Report the Lost Emirates ID

If you're asking, "I lost my Emirates ID, what should I do first?", the answer is: report the loss ASAP. 
You can report the loss of an Emirates ID to ICP, either at a Customer Happiness Centre or remotely through the UAEICP app, so the card can be deactivated before anyone else can misuse it. 

You'll need a valid form of identification to confirm your identity when reporting. Depending on your situation:

• If the card is damaged: bring the original card in person
• If the card is lost: submit a copy of the card, if available
• If no copy exists: ICP can retrieve the cardholder's ID number through its own system

The good news is that you don’t have to physically go to a center if you prefer to do things online. The UAEICP app is available on the App Store and Google Play, allowing you to report a lost or damaged Emirates ID from your mobile.

Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents

According to ICP's official service requirements, the documents needed to reissue an Emirates ID are:

• A personal photograph, meeting International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) photo standards
• A valid passport
• Proof of residence in the UAE, submitted as part of the original issuance or renewal of the Emirates ID

Anyone aged 15 or above must also complete fingerprinting and provide a signature at an ICP service centre as part of the replacement process, even if the application is submitted online.

Step 3: Submit the Replacement Application

Once the loss is reported and the documents are ready, the replacement application can be submitted through any of ICP's approved channels:

• ICP Smart Services website (smartservices.icp.gov.ae), accessible 24/7
• UAEICP mobile app, available on the App Store and Google Play, with UAE Pass login for faster, pre-filled applications
• ICP Customer Happiness Centres, located across all seven emirates

Whichever channel is used, the application should be reviewed carefully before submission.  Applications returned for correction can add delays to the entire process.

Step 4: Pay the Replacement Fees

A lost Emirates ID replacement incurs a fee, so be prepared to make this payment along with your application. Here’s a quick breakdown of the fees:

The standard total for a lost or damaged Emirates ID replacement is AED 400 (AED 300 replacement fee plus the AED 100 Smart Service Fee). Adding the urgent service brings the total to AED 550.  

These fees apply consistently to UAE nationals, GCC nationals and expatriate residents, and are payable at the time of submission.

Step 5: Track and Collect Your New Emirates ID

Standard processing takes 5 working days from the date of submission. To avail the urgent issuance of a lost Emirates ID, you must visit an ICP service centre; it cannot be requested via app or website. 

Once the application is processed, the new card is delivered through ICP's authorised courier for standard applications. For urgent applications, you can collect it directly from an ICP centre. Application status can be tracked through the ICP Smart Services platform or the UAEICP app.

Choosing the Right Application Channel

Each of ICP's application channels suits a different situation.

1. The ICP Smart Services website or UAEICP app is the fastest self-service option, particularly for applicants comfortable with a digital process and already registered with UAE Pass, which pre-fills personal data and reduces entry errors.
2. ICP Customer Happiness Centres suit applicants who need in-person assistance, must complete fingerprinting as part of the process, or prefer the urgent service.

Digital Emirates ID as Interim Identification

Since 2022, a digital version of the Emirates ID has been accepted by UAE authorities and most private-sector providers for banking, healthcare, and immigration purposes. This digital card is accessible through the UAEICP app and UAE Pass, and can be used as interim identification while a physical replacement is being processed, displaying the same identification number and residency details as the physical card.

Fines and Penalties for Delayed Replacement

ICP imposes a fine for delays in reporting or updating personal or civil data, including a lost Emirates ID. The fine is AED 20 per day of delay, calculated from the point the change or loss occurred, up to a maximum of AED 1,000. 

Reporting promptly is the simplest way to avoid this fine altogether.

Tips to Prevent Losing Emirates ID

Misplacing important documents happens to the best of us. Consider these quick tips to keep your Emirates ID safe and secure:

• Keep it in a designated spot in your wallet or purse to reduce the risk of loss.
• Store a digital copy of your Emirates ID on your phone or another secure device, allowing you quick access to details if needed.
• Report any loss immediately to avoid unauthorized use of your ID.

Losing your Emirates ID might be an inconvenience, but following these steps makes the process of reporting and replacing your ID straightforward. Now you know exactly what to do if your Emirates ID is lost, from reporting it to applying for a replacement and tracking its delivery.