Emirates ID renewal rejected in the UAE? 8 common reasons and how to fix them

Dubai: Few things are more frustrating, or panic-inducing, than paying your Emirates ID renewal fees, submitting your application – and then receiving a notification that it has been returned, delayed or rejected. While most applicants assume they have done everything right and gone through the proper steps, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has repeatedly stated that a significant proportion of rejected or delayed applications are caused because of errors in submitted documents. In 2012, the ICP found that 2% of ID card registration applications submitted to Emirates Identity Authority centres across the UAE were rejected daily after being verified, due to errors in provided data, the incompatibility of photographs or the wrong supporting documents. Here are the most common reasons an Emirates ID renewal application may be rejected, according to the ICP, and what you can do to fix them: 1. Your photograph may not meet the requirements A non-compliant photograph can be the cause of your application being rejected. According to the ICP, this can happen if the attached photograph is of low quality or does not meet the specified dimensions. Some issues that act as a red flag for photographs include: Blurry or low-quality image Wrong background colour Shadows on the face Face not centred properly Wearing accessories that obstruct facial features The ICP has extensive guidelines about personal photo specifications, which include the following pointers: The photograph must be no more than six months old. It must not be identical to the photograph in your expired Emirates ID. It must be 35mm in width and 45mm in height. It should be clear, with a sharp focus, and a resolution of at least 600dpi. It must show a close up of your face, looking directly at the camera, and your face must take up 70 to 80% of the photograph. There must be no creases or ink marks. The photograph must be taken with a plain, light-coloured background (preferably white). Glasses are permitted if they are slim, and do not block your face or reflect light. Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons. How to fix it: First, obtain a recent passport photograph that meets the above specifications. Take it at a professional photography studio that is aware of the ICP requirements, rather than attempting to do it yourself, for best results. Next, visit an ICP Customer Happiness Centre with your original passport and Emirates ID. The Emirates ID photo modification currently cannot be done online and must be done in-person. Fill out the application for changing information in your Emirates ID and submit it with the new photograph and your identification documents. Pay the fee for Emirates ID modification, which is Dh150, and is inclusive of the knowledge and innovation fees. Confirm your biometrics. About 48 hours after you submit your application, you will receive a notification by SMS, letting you know your new Emirates ID is ready for pick-up. 2. Your name does not match your passport Another key mistake highlighted by the ICP is a mismatch in names. Even a minor spelling difference between your passport and your application can cause problems. How to fix it: Check your passport carefully before submitting your application. Ensure your name appears exactly as it does in the biodata page of your passport. 3. Your residence visa has not been renewed The Emirates ID is linked to your residence visa, if you are an expatriate in the UAE. So, if your visa renewal process has not been completed correctly, the Emirates ID renewal may be delayed or even rejected. How to fix it: The window for visa renewal opens 30 days before the residence visa expiry date. Ensure you gather the relevant documents, pay the fees, and submit your application for visa renewal in time. Once you have applied to renew your visa, the ICP allows you to track your visa status , and be notified immediately if there is an issue that needs your attention. Follow these steps to complete your visa renewal process correctly. 4. You missed your biometric appointment In order to receive an Emirates ID, individuals over the age of 15 are required to complete biometric collection procedures at an authorised service centre. In the visa renewal process, your fingerprints and photograph are already on file, so the process can continue without the need for an in-person visit for biometric data collection. However, in some cases, you may be asked for new fingerprint scans or facial verification to confirm your records are accurate. According to Dubai’s Amer Centre website, a notification may be sent for biometric updates to residents renewing their visa or Emirates ID in the following situations: Passport renewal with updated details Residency category or sponsor changes Long gaps between previous renewals Missing or outdated fingerprint records System request for updated facial verification If you’re not expecting this update,