Dubai: Forgot to carry your Emirates ID with you? If you need to show your identification for any official purpose, you can easily access a digital copy of your ID through your phone.
As per the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), ID card holders are required to carry the Emirates ID at all times and produce it whenever required by law. But you can also present a digital copy, in case your Emirates ID is being processed and the physical card has not yet been issued.
What to do if you lose your Emirates ID
In case your Emirates ID gets lost, damaged or stolen, it is important to immediately report it to the ICP. As per the authority, any such cases should be reported within seven days from the date of loss and ID card holders should apply for a replacement card. This can be done at any ICP customer happiness centre or online here: https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e5b
How to get your digital Emirates ID
While you wait for the physical card to be issued, you can also get a digital copy that can be kept on your phone.
1. Access through the UAE PASS App
As a UAE resident, one of the most important apps you can have on your phone is the UAE PASS app, which is the country’s first national digital identity, linked to the Emirates ID, and can be used by all citizens, residents and visitors to the country and is available for Apple and Android devices.
Once you have the app installed and your account set up, simply open the app and follow these steps:
- Go to the ‘Documents’ section in the menu at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap on ‘Request Document’.
- Under the ‘all documents’ or ‘Personal’ documents tab, find the option for ‘Emirates ID card’ and tap on ‘Request’.
- Check the ID number displayed to ensure it is correct.
- Then, tap on ‘Confirm request’.
The digital copy will be immediately issued on your phone. Tap on ‘View’ to get the digital copy of your Emirates ID.
Now that the card is issued on your UAE PASS, you can show it whenever officially requested for it, by following these steps:
- Open the UAE PASS app.
- Go to the ‘Documents’ tab on the bottom of the screen.
- You will find the Emirates ID card under the ‘Issued documents’ section.
- Tap on it, and then tap on ‘View document’.
2. Access through the ‘ICPUAE’ app
You can also access the digital Emirates ID through ICP’s official app – ‘UAEICP’, which is available for Apple and Android devices.
- Download the app through the Apple App Store or the Google Playstore.
- Sign in using your UAE PASS.
- Select ‘Emirates ID’ from the homepage.
- Tap on your name to view your digital Emirates ID.
You can also download a PDF version for offline access.
If you are sponsoring your family’s residence visas, the app also allows you to similarly save digital copies of their Emirates IDs.
Saving a PDF version can also be helpful if you do not have access to the internet.
3. Add your Emirates ID to your Apple wallet
If you have an Apple phone, you can also add your Emirates ID to the Apple Wallet, which can make accessing the digital copy even more convenient.
To do so, open the UAEICP app, and follow these steps:
- Go to ‘cards’ on the bottom of your screen and open your ‘Documents’ folder.
- Tap on your Emirates ID.
- The app will show you the option of ‘Add to Apple Wallet’ above your card. Tap on the option, and then again tap on ‘Add’.
Now, you can access your Emirates ID by simply going to your Apple Wallet.
4. Generate a QR Code
You can also generate a temporary QR code through the UAE PASS or the UAEICP app. These QR codes can be scanned by government departments to verify the authenticity of your Emirates ID.
To generate it on the UAE Pass app:
- Go to your Emirates ID document on the app and tap on ‘QR verification’.
- The app will then generate a QR code, which is valid for five minutes.
- If the five minutes have lapsed, the app will generate a fresh QR code.
If you want to use the UAEICP app instead, follow these steps:
- Go to your Emirates ID on the app.
- Tap on ‘View QR code’ above your Emirates ID.
- The app will generate a QR code, which you can also share through a messaging app, if needed.
- The code is valid for a specific time, which will be clearly displayed above the QR code. After that, you will have to generate a fresh QR code.