An Easy Guide to Check Emirates ID Status in 2025

ByRab Nawaz Khan
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Everyone who comes to the UAE and applies for a visa is curious about when they will receive their Emirates ID card. Their curiosity is genuine because without an ID card, one can’t perform a lot of tasks such as buying a sim card, opening a bank account, or applying for a driving license, etc.

If you are also new to the UAE and have applied for a visa but are still waiting for your ID card. Here in this article we will show you exactly how to check Emirates ID status online whether it’s printed or still under process.

Check Emirates ID Card Status

What is Emirates ID Card and Emirates ID Status?

An Emirates ID card, issued by the UAE government to both its citizens and residents is an essential document for various day-to-day activities like banking, telecommunications, healthcare services, and government services. It contains your name, date of birth, photograph, and a unique Emirates ID number. As It’s required for many daily functions, the government advises carrying it with you all the time.

Emirates ID Status refers to the process of tracking your application’s progress, whether it’s still under review, printed, or ready for collection. Knowing your status provides clarity on when you can expect to receive your official Emirates ID card.

How to Check Emirates ID Status? A step By Step Guide

There are mostly two types of people who want to check their Emirates ID status. The first ones are newcomers to the UAE like you who have just applied for their UAE visa. The second ones are already citizens of the UAE but they have applied for the renewal of their Emirates ID card. 

Tracking emirates ID card for both scenarios is the same with a slight difference. Newcomers need to write the Personal Registration Acknowledgement Number/application number (PRAN) written on their visa in order to track their Emirates ID status, while already the citizens can enter their old Emirates ID number (without the hyphen) they will be able to see their status. 

Now let’s explore the step by step guide:

  • Step 1: Visit the official government website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP).
  • Step 2: Look for the “Check Application Status” under the ID Card Status area.
  • Step 3: Enter your application number (PRAN) from your visa documents (if it’s your first visa) or your existing Emirates ID number (without the hyphen) for renewals. Click the arrow to see your results.
  • Step 4: The website will display a pop-up notification on your screen saying either your card is still in the process or it’s already printed and is ready for collection.
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If the card is already printed, you will receive it within 5-7 days by the UAE government’s official delivery partner Emirates Post.

Pro Tip: Learn how to check the status of your UAE Visa.

Why Do I Need to Check My Emirates ID Card Status?

There are several reasons why you need to track your Emirates ID status. First and foremost, it’s not just a plastic card with an electronic chip but one of your main requirements to be eligible to live in the country and the most important document you need for daily life in the UAE. Therefore, checking your ID status regularly is essential to stay informed and avoid problems that may arise if you haven’t received your card, or if it’s lost or expired.

You may need Emirates ID card for the following reasons:

  • Legal Status: Having an Emirates ID card is mandatory for all residents of the UAE, as it serves as their legal identity and signifies government authorization to reside in the country.
  • Bank Account: An Emirates ID is an essential requirement for opening a bank account in the UAE. Any bank will ask for your ID card before setting up your financial transactions.
  • SIM Card: You cannot register a SIM card with DU or Etisalat for your phone or apply for an internet connection without a valid Emirates ID card.
  • Driving Licence: As it’s not allowed in the UAE to drive cars without a valid driving licence, you need to have one before sitting on a driving seat of the car. To apply for your licence, an ID card is one of the requirements.

By understanding the importance of these factors, this is why it’s advised to regularly check Emirates ID status.

FAWRI – An Urgent Emirates ID Service

In case you need an urgent Emirates ID, the ICP provides a fast service known as “FAWRI” through which you can get your card within 24 hours. This service is available for UAE and GCC nationals for the first time registration, renewal of expired cards, and lost or damaged cards.

For expats other than GCC nationals, Emirates ID card can be applied only if it is lost, stolen or damaged. They can’t avail this option for the first time and renewal as the card is linked with the proof of residency and other related documents which takes time.

ICP Happiness Centers

To apply for the urgent Emirates ID card go to any of the following nearest ICP happiness centres where FAWRI service is available and fill the form.

  • Al Barsha, Al Rashidiya and Karama in Dubai
  • Ras Al Khaimah Centre
  • Sharjah Centre
  • Ajman Centre
  • Fujairah Centre
  • Umm Al Quwain Centre.
  • Al Jazeera and Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi
  • Madinat Zayed in the Western Region
  • Al Ain Centre

Required Documents

Provide the following documents:

  • For UAE National: Original passport and family book
  • For GCC Nationals: Proof of your residency in the UAE
  • For Expats Residents: Original passport with valid residence permit

Emirates ID Cost and Payment

You need to pay 300/- AED for the issuance, replacement, lost or damaged ID card plus an additional of 70/- AED in case you are applying through typing centres, or 40/- AED incase of applying through the ICA website. 

You may also be required to pay an extra amount of 150/- AED if you are applying for an urgent Emirates ID card. This amount is the same for all citizens and nationals of the UAE. 

Collect Your ID Card

Once all the required steps are completed, you will receive a text message on your mobile phone by ICP about the status of your ID card. It will be issued within 24 hours after submitting the application and will be delivered by the UAE government official delivery partner Emirates Post.

Pro Tip: Sometimes the employer submit their company mobile phone number in their employees, Emirates ID. If you want to check and change it to your personal number, read our detailed guide on how to change mobile number in your Emirates ID.

What does the long Emirates ID number mean?

Emirates ID card consists of a 15 digits number, which is divided into the following four different parts.

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  • The first part is a three digit number that represents the UAE country code. It’s the same for all card holders, for both residents and citizens.
  • The second part, which consists of four digits, may represent your birth year but not necessarily.
  • The third part is assigned by the UAE government and is unique for every individual. It consists of seven randomly generated digits.
  • The 4th and final part is a one-digit verification number that ranges from 0 to 9.

Cancelling Your Emirates ID

In case your visa is expired or you want to leave the UAE, you may need to cancel your Emirates ID and handover it to the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The GDRFA will then handover your card to the ICP.

FAQs

UAE nationals can renew their Emirates ID up to 6 months before the expiry date while the residents can apply once their visa is renewed.

No, it does not cost any fee to check the status of your Emirates ID.

Yes, you can use English instead of Arabic to track the status of your Emirates ID.

Yes, you can download it online through three different ways. Please check our article on how to download Emirates ID through the UAE Pass app.

No, your employer cannot keep your ID card with himself. It’s illegal.

You can view your Emirates ID online in UAE Pass and UAEICP apps.

Contact relevant authorities or the ICP if your Emirates ID application is rejected. They will guide you on the next steps and inform you about the reason why it is rejected.

Contact ICP if there is any error in your Emirates ID.

Yes, you can check the Emirates ID status for someone else as long as you have the application number or the old EID number of that person.

You first need to report your stolen ID Card to your nearest ICP Customer Happiness Centre so they can block it immediately, then apply for the ID card replacement, and lastly receive your new ID Card. For an in depth process, please read our article on “How to replace your lost Emirates ID Card”.

By reading this article, you should now know how to check your Emirates ID status. The guide explained that you need to visit the official government’s website ICP, and enter either your PRAN (for newcomers) or your existing Emirates ID number (for renewals). This will show whether your ID is still being processed or if it’s ready for collection, which typically takes 5-7 days.

Rab Nawaz Khan

I have lived in the UAE for the last five years, and on Calculate Dubai, I share helpful solutions and my personal experiences to make it easier for people to find reliable information.

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