Everything You Need to Know about New Emirates ID: Fee and Features

The ICA, in a statement, said that this iteration of the ID card is a massive upgrade over the current version. The new version is purported to hold a service life of over 10 years, and packs in new features like population group, professional history, and issuing authority.

Earlier last month, the same authority had rolled out the digital version of the Emirates ID.

Rumours of a new design of Emirati passports and Emirates ID were afloat last year after an announcement was made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Fee and Features

The ICA declared that the fee for the new Emirates ID will be the same. It is safe to keep the existing Emirates ID and not dispose it away after procuring the new one.

A top official issued a statement saying that the new IDs will be dispatched to those whose Emirates ID have expired, and also for those who have requested for the replacement of damaged or lost cards.

The acting director-general of the ICA, Major-General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, has strongly advised residents to use their current Emirates ID till they expire.

Features:

Upgraded security of data: Your Emirates ID information can now be read through an E-link system by the ICA.

Longer life: The upgraded card is made up of polycarbonate — the same material used for bullet-proof protection.

Consolidated 3D Photo: The laser printing feature will be used to accomplish this.

Space for more information: New information such as your career history, population group, and the issuing authority will be embedded in your card.

Advanced technical aspects: The chip in the card will have a higher data-retention capacity.

The aim behind rolling out an updated version is to add more security features and visual information to combat identity fraud and instill national and international confidence among travellers.