Visitors being asked to deposit Emirates ID at buildings in Dubai

Reception and security officials at office buildings in Dubai are insisting on visitors giving their Emirates ID when issuing a visitor card, residents told Emirates 24|7.

“Every time I go for a meeting in a building on Sheikh Zayed Road or Jumeirah Lakes Towers, I am asked to deposit my Emirates ID and only then I am given a visitor pass,” says Krishna, a marketing officer with a local car dealership.

“I tell them to keep my office ID card, but they insist on keeping Emirates ID,” he added.

Ana Kristen, a financial consultant, says there has been an instance where she almost lost her Emirates ID.

“The reception at the building entrance insisted on me giving them my Emirates ID. As I was in a rush, I gave it. However, when I came to take it back they could not find it. I was so tensed till they found it,” she said.

In some of the iconic buildings in Dubai, however, the security just scan the Emirates ID and return it back to the person.

“We don’t keep any identity cards… we ask for Emirates ID and scan them, returning it back to the person immediately,” said a security official in a renowned tower on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) clearly states that residents should not leave their ID cards at any place. The ID card has to be carried at all times and presented whenever asked by a resident.

The cost of a replacement is Dh300 for three years. This is in addition to the fees already paid for the initial application.

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