Emirates ID can freeze your UAE bank account, cut phone

Remember, once you get your work visa and Emirates ID card renewed, submit copies to your bank and telecom companies.

Non-submission can result in freezing of your bank account and disconnection of your phone.

“Your Emirates ID is expiring, please submit the renewed Emirates ID at the base branch or else your account will be frozen within 30 days,” reads the bank message sent to R Ahmed (name changed), whose work visa expired on January 12, 2016.

Emirates ID renewal is, in fact, related to the work visa renewal, which simply means that if a work visa is not renewed, the person’s Emirates ID will not be renewed.

Ahmed says his bank was reminding him at least 15 days prior to the expiry of his Emirates ID

“The bank has been sending me reminders to update my information.”

He said that he was denied a cash withdrawal from his bank once his Emirates ID had expired.

“The cashier asked me for my passport, but it was with my company for renewal of my work visa. Hence, I could not remove cash the required cash.”

Apart from his banks, he has also got an SMS from his telecom company.

“I have even got an SMS from one of the telecom companies here, asking me to submit the renewed copy of my Emirates ID and valid visa.”

Emirates Identity Authority said this week that the Emirates ID number issued for each individual, whether a citizen or resident, is registered in the population register system and is fixed and may not be modified or changed.

In December 2015, Emirates 24|7 reported that the UAE banks were advising customers to complete the ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) requirement.

If not, customers could find their cheque clearance facilities blocked.

This is not related to any visa renewal issue, but a general update by banks for their customers.

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