In case you are working and residing in the UAE, your Emirates ID is one of the most valuable items that you carry. It is your legal identity, your passport to all those things you need in life, and you need it to do nearly everything, including leasing a place or even opening a bank account.
But once you apply, how do you know where your card stands? Is it printed or dispatched? This guide will help you learn all the necessary information on how to check your Emirates ID status, download the digital version, and make your card valid and fine-free.
But whether you are first-time applicants or you want to renew an expired card, here is everything UAE residents need to know.
Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing an expired card, here’s what every UAE resident should know.
Why You Might Need to Check Your Emirates ID Status
Once you have applied for your Emirates ID, you may have to wait before it is printed and delivered. At this period many clients will be keen to know the status of their application in real time.
In other instances, delays may occur. Perhaps your biometrics have to be checked again, or you forgot to update a document. At other times, your card is ready, but it is not delivered yet.
Verifying your status will also allow you to keep track of proceedings, prevent delays in other procedures, and take action in case of a malfunction.
How to Check Emirates ID Status Through the ICP Website
The formal way of verifying the Emirates ID status is through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP).
In case you submitted a new card application, you will be required to have your Application Number (PRAN). In case you check a renewal, you can apply using your Emirates ID number.
Go to the ICP official website and go to the page of the “Application Status.” Just type in your number, press on submit, and the system will show your up-to-date status: either still processing, approved, printed, or dispatched.
After printing, you are likely to get an SMS on tracking information by Emirates Post.
Don’t Have Your PRAN? Check with Passport Number
If you don’t have the application number or ID yet, there’s another way.
Go to the ICP Smart Services portal and select “File Validity.” After that, select the option of source command using passport details.
It requires you to fill in details of your passport number, nationality, and date of birth. The system retrieves your residency file—Emirates ID status and the visa information.
This method is especially useful for expats whose visas are still being processed.
Is Your ID Active? How to Do a Validity Check
Your Emirates ID will not display after your residence visa expires.
Return to the File Validity tool page on the ICP Smart Services site to see whether your ID is yet valid. You are able to search by Emirates ID number or passport information.
The system will indicate to you if your ID is active, expired, or has to be renewed.
This may be required before you can be able to apply for credit cards, travel bookings, school, or even a new job.
Still Waiting for Delivery? Here’s What to Do
Once your ID is printed, it’s usually sent via Emirates Post and delivered within 7 to 10 business days. If you received an SMS with a tracking number but haven’t seen the card yet, visit the Emirates Post website.
Find up-to-date delivery information by entering your tracking number. When nothing appears, or in case the status did not change within several days, you can address Emirates Post or go to the nearest branch with your passport.
There are occasional delays in case you were not at the address or there was a mismatch in delivery. In those cases, the card might be waiting at a nearby post office.
Emirates ID Fines: Why They Happen and How to Check
Many people don’t realize they can receive fines linked to their Emirates ID.
The most common issue is delayed renewal. If your ID expires and you don’t renew it within the grace period, a fine of AED 20 per day is applied—up to a maximum of AED 1,000.
Other fines may be linked to civil or visa violations associated with your ID record.
To check, visit the ICP Smart Services portal and go to the “Fines—Pay Fines” section. Input your Emirates ID or UID number. If there are penalties, they’ll appear instantly, with a link to pay online.
Emirates ID Download: How to Get the Digital Version
You don’t need to wait for the physical card to use your Emirates ID. Once your application is approved and the ID is printed, a digital version is available for download.
Here’s how to get it:
- Download the UAEICP app from Google Play or the Apple Store.
- Log in using your UAE Pass credentials.
- Navigate to your profile, and you’ll see your Emirates ID details.
- Tap on the download icon to get a PDF version of your Emirates ID.
This digital file is fully accepted across UAE government and private services.
Why You Should Check UAE Visa Status Too
Your Emirates ID card is heavily linked to your UAE residency visa, and vice versa, so verification of either will frequently verify the other as well.
The visa status, expiry, and associated Emirates ID are available in the same File Validity section on the ICP portal. It is especially useful in case you recently changed your employer or you have just arrived in the UAE and are waiting to be approved with final specification.
After cancelling your visa, it will only take a short time before your Emirates ID will be deactivated.
Keeping all of them up to date so far will spare you visiting a court and will help you renew other documents, like Emirates ID, driving licenses, and tenancy contracts, before their deadline.
Renewing Your Emirates ID: When and How
The vast majority of expatriates are given an Emirates ID, and this is normally equal to their visa period, which can be one to three years.
The renewal process must begin at most 30 days before expiry. If not, fines begin to accumulate. You’ll usually receive reminders from ICP via SMS or email.
To renew:
Sign in to the ICP portal or mobile app, complete a renewal application, upload necessary papers, and pay relevant amounts. You might have to go to a biometrics center again depending on your circumstances and age.
Once approved, your card shall be printed again and sent out just as it happened during the initial procedure.
Costs and Fees for Emirates ID in 2025
Most applications follow a standard fee structure:
- New or renewal ID for 2 years: AED 270
- Three-year card: Around AED 370
- Fine for late renewal: AED 20 per day
- Replacement of lost/damaged ID: AED 300
- Express delivery (optional): AED 150
The amount charged by different applications may slightly differ (online, typing center, or in person).
When sponsoring your family or any dependent, take note of the costs so that you do not get blindsided.
Final Words: Stay Ahead by Staying Informed
Your Emirates ID is not only an identity card. It is a big part of daily living in the UAE—it is connected with your residency, visa, medical services, telecom opportunity, banking, and much more.
Being aware of how to track the status of an Emirates ID online, delivery tracking, fines, or web downloading of an ID copy has you ahead of the game. And it has never been easier to keep oneself informed, thanks to such tools as the ICP website and the UAEICP mobile app.
Ensure that you store your PRAN or application number, activate your UAE Pass, and continuously monitor the validity of your ID. Applying for or renewing your visa after some years should take only a few proactive measures to save time and money and get rid of all the troublesome delays.
FAQs on Emirates ID Status
1. How can I check my Emirates ID status online?
To see where your Emirates ID status is at, you can go to the official ICP website at https://icp.gov.ae and enter your Application Number (PRAN) or Emirates ID number in the Application Status Sheet to determine whether your card is in process, printed, or dispatched.
2. Can I check Emirates ID status using my passport number?
Yes, you can avail Emirates ID status through passport number in the ICP Smart Services portal. Visit their “File Validity” section, select the format, and enter all the details of the passport to check IDs and residency statuses.
3. How long does it take to get the Emirates ID after applying?
Your Emirates ID can take between 5 and 10 working days after you have handed in your application before it is printed and delivered. In case of some delays, the Emirates Post tracking number, etc., can be used to trace the delivery with the help of a tracking number that was sent via SMS.
4. Is there a way to download my Emirates ID online?
Yes. After receiving your Emirates ID, you would be in a position to download a copy of it into your mobile phone using the UAEICP mobile app. Just log in using the UAE Pass, and there will be an option to download the Emirates ID PDF attachment under your profile.
5. What should I do if my Emirates ID is expired or not delivered?
When your Emirates ID expires, seek to renew it within the 30-day grace period, or you will be fined daily. Check the delivery of your ID using the Emirates Post tracking number sent by SMS if they have not yet delivered. You may also check delivery of the ID by going to the nearest post office with your passport.