Dubai: Despite your Emirates ID having expired, have you been unable to renew it? Residents are being informed of how to apply for an exemption from the late payment fees by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICA).
How much is the late payment fee?
Emirates ID holders have 30 days to renew their cards after the expiration date, according to the official UAE government site – u.ae.
Thereafter, late fines will be applied at a rate of Dh20 per day, with a maximum of Dh1,000.
Who is eligible to apply for an exemption?
According to the ICA, an exemption can be requested by any of the following:
- UAE citizens
- GCC citizens
- Expatriate residents
What are the criteria for applying for an exemption?
In accordance with the ICA, if you are unable to obtain an Emirates ID card, or the ID cards of those under your sponsorship, within the stipulated timeframe, you may apply for exemption from late fines if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Someone who has left the country and lived outside of the UAE for more than three months, or a resident whose residency has expired while abroad or whose ID card has expired after leaving the UAE. Documents such as travel documents can be used to determine this.
- A person whose passport has been revoked due to an executive or judicial order or whose ID card validity has expired while abroad. An official letter from the relevant authorities has to be provided demonstrating that he has been ordered to leave the country or his passport has been seized for any reason.
- Individuals who are bedridden or suffer from a contagious disease. A medical certificate issued by the relevant authorities in the country is required to prove this.
- Members of diplomatic or consular missions in the country and those under their care.
- People over 70 who are unable to visit the customer service centers. Authentic documents such as a passport, family book, or any other document proving their age are required.
- Social security recipients and those under their sponsorship. The Ministry of Social Affairs or other relevant authorities must issue an official certificate to verify their status.
- An individual who did not receive an ID card before obtaining UAE citizenship or a family book.
- Delays in the registration or issuance of an Emirates ID card due to errors in documentation or errors in the system of Emirates ID or one of its employees or typing offices.
What is the process for filing for fine exemption?
– Online
- A person can file for a fine exemption by logging on to the ICA website – ica.gov.ae – or by using the ‘ICA UAE’ smartphone application, which is available for Apple and Android devices.
- By logging in with your UAE Pass or by creating an account on the website or app, you can access the system.
- Navigate to the ‘Public Services’ section of the website or app.
- Select the ‘Application for Exemption from Delay Fees’ under ‘Emirates ID’ services.
- You will be asked to submit supporting documents to prove that you qualify for the fine exemption.
– Through customer happiness centers
If you are unable to complete the application process online, you may apply for the exemption at the customer happiness centers of the ICA.
Here is a complete list and location of ICA customer happiness centers:
https://ica.gov.ae/en/customer-happiness-centers/
What is the time frame for the process?
If you have submitted an application to ICA, it will undergo a verification process, and you should receive a reply within 48 hours whether your request was approved or rejected.
