Losing your Emirates ID in Dubai is stressful because that small card unlocks almost everything: your bank account, mobile contract, government services, healthcare and airport smart gates. The good news is that replacement is handled by one authority, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, known as ICP, and the process is well established.
Report the Loss and Start With ICP
Your first step is to report the issue and apply for a replacement, officially described by ICP as a replacement for a damaged or lost ID card. You can do this through the ICP website at icp.gov.ae, the ICP mobile app, or in person at an ICP service centre. If the card was stolen, many residents also file a report with Dubai Police first, giving them a documented record if the card is later misused. Keep any report reference safely.
If your card is damaged rather than lost, keep it, because you will normally need to hand it in when the new one is issued, and choose the replacement service rather than the renewal service.
What You Will Need to Apply
The application is simpler than a first-time Emirates ID because your biometrics and core records are already on file. In most cases you will need:
- Your passport details and a copy of your valid UAE residence visa
- Your old Emirates ID number, which appears on past documents, bank records and the UAE PASS app
- The damaged card itself, if you still have it
- A recent personal photo meeting ICP specifications, if the system asks for one
- Payment for the replacement fees by card
If you cannot remember your ID number, check UAE PASS, your employer’s HR records or a previous bank statement. Typing centres in Dubai can also help retrieve your file details and complete the application.
Applying Online, Step by Step
For most residents, the ICP app or website is the fastest route. Sign in, ideally with UAE PASS so your identity is verified automatically, then look under ID card services for the option to issue a replacement for a lost or damaged card. Select whether the card is lost or damaged, confirm your personal details carefully, and check that your mobile number and email are current, because delivery and status updates depend on them.
Next, upload any documents requested, pay the fees and submit. Save the confirmation and reference number you receive. Your digital Emirates ID in the ICP app and UAE PASS is accepted by many government departments and service providers, so you can often keep banking, visiting clinics and completing official transactions while the physical card is being produced.
Fees, Timelines and the Urgent Option
A replacement is not free, and you should budget for a few hundred dirhams in total, typically covering the replacement fee plus application, service and delivery charges. Fees change from time to time, so confirm the current amount in the ICP app or on icp.gov.ae before you pay, rather than relying on older guides. Standard processing typically takes several working days, and the finished card is usually delivered by courier to the address you select.
If you need the card urgently, ICP has historically offered an expedited service at a higher fee through its main service centres, sometimes called Fawri. Availability and charges vary, so check before travelling. Never pay an unofficial agent promising instant cards; replacements are only valid through official channels.
Collecting Your New Card and Updating Your Records
When you receive a delivery notification, arrange to be available with identification, as couriers generally will not leave an Emirates ID with someone else. Once the new card is in your hand, check that your name in English and Arabic, your photo and your ID number are correct. Your ID number stays the same for life, even on a replacement, although the card’s issue and expiry dates may change.
Finally, update anyone who recorded your old card’s details: your bank, your mobile provider such as e& or du, your employer and your insurer may want a copy of the new card. If your lost card later turns up, do not use it again once a replacement has been issued; return or safely destroy the old one as ICP directs. With the new card active and your records updated, the problem is fully closed.
Related Guides
- How to Replace a Lost or Damaged Emirates ID Through ICP
- Emirates ID Replacement Guide: What to Do When Your Card Is Lost or Broken
- Lost Your Emirates ID in Dubai? How to Report It and Get a Replacement
- Emirates ID for Pakistanis: What It Is and How You Get One
- Replacing Your Emirates ID in Dubai: Application, Fees and Collection Explained