In 2026, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) manages residency and identity records for over 9.9 million UAE residents through icp.gov.ae (ICP UAE, 2026). The UAE hosts more than 200 nationalities, every non-citizen resident holds at least one official immigration document. Searches for "immigration card UAE" generate over 320 monthly queries from people unsure what the term means in a modern UAE context (Google Search Console, 2026). Emirates ID has fully replaced the old paper immigration card since 2011, under Federal Law No. 3 of 2003 and its amendments (UAE Cabinet, 2026). This guide clarifies exactly what an immigration card is, how Emirates ID has replaced it, and what to do when a foreign institution asks you for one. For a full breakdown of the Emirates ID card itself, read the Emirates ID card complete guide.

What Is an Immigration Card in UAE

An immigration card in UAE historically referred to a paper residency document issued to foreign nationals before the Emirates ID system became mandatory. In 2026, Emirates ID has fully replaced it as the primary immigration identity document for all UAE residents, issued by ICP through icp.gov.ae.

Historical Context: What the Immigration Card Was

Before Emirates ID became mandatory in 2011, UAE authorities issued a physical paper immigration card to every registered foreign resident. The card recorded the holder's name, nationality, visa category, sponsor details, and residency file number. It was the primary proof of legal residency status, required for banking, tenancy contracts, and most government services.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) and equivalent authorities in each emirate administered these records. Think of it as a laminated identity slip that sat alongside your passport in every official interaction.

A UK national who moved to Dubai in 2005, for example, would have received a laminated immigration card stamped with their employer sponsor's name and a GDRFA file number. That same file number is what some banks still ask for today when their forms say "immigration card number", even though the physical card no longer exists.

What Immigration Card Means in UAE in 2026

In 2026, the term "immigration card" is a legacy phrase. Emirates ID is the functional equivalent and legal replacement, serving simultaneously as proof of identity, residency status, and immigration record. Over 9.9 million UAE residents hold a valid Emirates ID today (ICP UAE, 2026).

When a foreign bank, embassy, or institution asks for an "immigration card", the correct document to provide is your Emirates ID combined with your residency visa stamp in your passport. ICP issues Emirates ID through icp.gov.ae in both English and Arabic.

Here's a practical example: when a German bank requests an "immigration card" for an overseas account application, a UAE resident should submit a certified copy of their Emirates ID (front and back) plus a copy of the residency visa page from their passport. This combination satisfies the requirement in all documented cases.

Immigration Card UAE vs Emirates ID vs Residency Visa - Key Differences

Immigration Card vs Emirates ID vs Residency Visa

The immigration card was a legacy paper document. Emirates ID is the current physical identity and residency card issued by ICP. The residency visa is a stamp in your passport issued by GDRFA. In 2026, Emirates ID and the residency visa stamp together form your complete UAE immigration documentation.

Key Differences Between the Three Documents

The old immigration card UAE residents carried was paper-based with no electronic function. Emirates ID is a smart card containing a biometric chip, valid for 2 to 10 years depending on visa type, and directly linked to ICP's live population register. The residency visa stamp in your passport defines the legal basis and permitted duration of your stay, it's issued by GDRFA, not ICP.

An Indian professional on an employment visa in Dubai, for instance, holds two active documents: a residency visa stamp in their passport from GDRFA Dubai at gdrfad.gov.ae, and an Emirates ID from ICP at icp.gov.ae. Together, these replace every function the old immigration card served, and then some.

When Foreign Institutions Ask for an Immigration Card

Some embassies, overseas banks, and foreign universities still use the term "immigration card" on their forms. This reflects outdated terminology, not a separate document requirement. The correct response is always to provide your Emirates ID (front and back copy) plus the residency visa page of your passport.

If an institution insists on a document explicitly called "immigration card", a letter from ICP or GDRFA confirming residency status can be obtained through icp.gov.ae. The UAE Cabinet formally recognised Emirates ID as the primary identity and residency document under Federal Law No. 3 of 2003 and its amendments (UAE Cabinet, 2026).

A UAE resident applying for a Schengen visa at the French consulate in Dubai may encounter a form requesting an "immigration card number". The correct entry is the Emirates ID number, the consulate will cross-reference it directly with UAE immigration records.

Who Issues the UAE Immigration Card

In 2026, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) issues Emirates ID, the functional replacement for the old immigration card, through icp.gov.ae. GDRFA issues the residency visa stamp. Together, these two authorities manage all UAE immigration documentation for foreign residents.

ICP: The Federal Authority Behind Emirates ID

ICP is the federal body responsible for issuing the UAE immigration id to all residents. It operates icp.gov.ae in both English and Arabic for all Emirates ID applications, renewals, and status inquiries. ICP also manages the UAE's population register, the digital equivalent of what was historically recorded on paper immigration cards.

Standard Emirates ID applications are processed within 3 to 5 working days of biometric registration (ICP UAE, 2026). A new employee joining a Dubai free zone company in 2026, for example, applies through their employer's PRO or directly at icp.gov.ae, the card arrives within that window.

For a detailed walkthrough of ICP's online services, the ICP smart services UAE guide covers every portal function from application to renewal.

GDRFA: The Residency Visa Authority

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) issues and stamps residency visas for Dubai residents through gdrfad.gov.ae. Other emirates operate their own Naturalisation and Residency departments under federal ICP oversight. GDRFA Dubai also maintains each resident's residency file, identified by a GDRFA file number, and this is sometimes what people mean when they ask for an "immigration card number".

A family relocating from Abu Dhabi to Dubai transfers their residency file from the Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residency Administration to GDRFA Dubai at gdrfad.gov.ae. The file number changes in this process, which is why updating all linked government records promptly matters. GDRFA Dubai manages residency records for Dubai's population of 3.6 million (GDRFA, 2026).

What Information Is on the UAE Immigration Card

Emirates ID, the modern UAE immigration card, displays the holder's full name in English and Arabic, Emirates ID number (15 digits), nationality, date of birth, gender, photo, expiry date, and an embedded smart chip storing biometric data and residency details linked to ICP's population register.

Data Fields on the Emirates ID Card

Here's exactly what you'll find on your Emirates ID:

• Full name in English and Arabic

• Emirates ID number: 15-digit national identification number in the format 784-YYYY-XXXXXXX-X

• Nationality and date of birth

• Gender, photo, and card expiry date

• Embedded smart chip: stores biometric fingerprint data, residency visa linkage, and ICP population register record

When a UAE resident checks into a hotel in Abu Dhabi, the front desk scans the Emirates ID's machine-readable zone (MRZ). The system instantly reads nationality, residency status, and ID number, performing the same function the old paper immigration card served manually, but in seconds rather than minutes.

9 million residents, 3-5 day processing, AED 100-370 fees, and 5800+ services accepting UAE Pass. UAE Emirates ID (Immigration Card), Key Facts 2026 9.9M UAE residents hold valid Emirates ID ICP UAE, 2026 3-5 working days standard processing ICP UAE, 2026 AED 100 to AED 370 Emirates ID fee range ICP UAE, 2026 5,800+ services accept UAE Pass digitally UAE Government, 2026

What the Immigration Card Number Refers to in 2026

The immigration card number UAE residents encounter on forms refers to one of two things depending on context. Most commonly, it's the Emirates ID number, the 15-digit number in the format 784-YYYY-XXXXXXX-X printed on the front of your card (ICP UAE, 2026). Less commonly, it refers to the GDRFA residency file number assigned when a residency visa is first issued.

When in doubt, provide the Emirates ID number. It's the universally accepted immigration reference number across all UAE government portals and private institutions in 2026. A UAE resident completing a tenancy contract on Ejari (the RTA tenancy registration portal) enters their Emirates ID number in the field labelled "immigration card number", that's the correct and accepted entry.

How to Get a UAE Immigration Card

To get a UAE immigration card in 2026, apply for Emirates ID through icp.gov.ae after your residency visa entry permit is approved. The process takes 3 to 5 working days and costs AED 100 to AED 370 depending on visa duration. Biometric registration at an ICP typing centre is mandatory.

Step-by-Step Process to Obtain Your UAE Immigration Card (Emirates ID)

1. Entry permit application: Your sponsor (employer or family) applies for a residency visa entry permit through GDRFA at gdrfad.gov.ae or ICP at icp.gov.ae.

2. Medical fitness test: You enter the UAE on the entry permit and undergo a medical fitness test at an ICP-approved health centre.

3. Emirates ID application: Visit an ICP-approved typing centre or apply directly at icp.gov.ae, both English and Arabic options are available on the portal.

4. Biometric registration: Attend biometric registration at an ICP service centre, fingerprints and photo are captured in person. This step cannot be skipped.

5. Fee payment and card collection: Pay the Emirates ID fee at the ICP service centre or through icp.gov.ae, AED 100 for a 1-year card, AED 200 for 2 years, AED 370 for 10 years (ICP UAE, 2026). Card delivery follows within 3 to 5 working days.

A Pakistani national joining a Dubai South free zone company in 2026 completes these steps entirely through their employer's PRO team. The PRO submits the entry permit via icp.gov.ae, books the medical test, and registers the Emirates ID application at an ICP typing centre, the card arrives within 5 working days. This is standard practice for free zone employees across Dubai.

Emirates ID Renewal and Replacement

Renewal is required when your residency visa is renewed, both must be renewed together. You can renew through icp.gov.ae, the ICP Smart App, or any ICP-approved typing centre. Lost or damaged Emirates ID replacement costs AED 300 and is processed within 3 to 5 working days (ICP UAE, 2026).

Worth flagging: failure to renew within 30 days of expiry incurs a fine of AED 20 per day, up to a maximum of AED 1,000 (ICP UAE, 2026). A resident whose Emirates ID expired on 1 March 2026 and who renews on 15 March 2026 pays AED 280 in late fines (14 days multiplied by AED 20), on top of the standard renewal fee. Don't let it lapse.

For a full breakdown of ICP's online renewal process, the ICP smart services UAE guide walks through every step with portal screenshots and fee tables.

How to Get Your UAE Immigration Card (Emirates ID) - Step-by-Step

A visual flowchart showing the 5-step process to obtain Emirates ID in 2026, with portal names, timelines, and fees at each stage.

• Step 1: Sponsor applies for entry permit via icp.gov.ae or gdrfad.gov.ae

• Step 2: Applicant enters UAE and completes medical fitness test at approved centre

• Step 3: Emirates ID application submitted at ICP typing centre or icp.gov.ae

• Step 4: Biometric registration at ICP service centre (mandatory in person)

• Step 5: Fee paid (AED 100/200/370 by visa duration), card delivered in 3-5 working days

• Late renewal fine: AED 20 per day, maximum AED 1,000 (ICP UAE, 2026)

Suggested alt text: Five-step process flowchart showing how to obtain an Emirates ID (UAE immigration card) in 2026, with portal URLs, fees in AED, and processing timelines.

Immigration Card Number - What It Is and Where to Find It

The immigration card number in UAE refers to your Emirates ID number, a 15-digit code in the format 784-YYYY-XXXXXXX-X printed on the front of your Emirates ID card. It can also refer to your GDRFA residency file number, which is printed on your residency visa stamp in your passport.

Where to Find Your UAE Immigration Card Number

Here are the four places your immigration card number UAE appears:

• Emirates ID card (front face): 15-digit number in the format 784-YYYY-XXXXXXX-X, this is the primary reference for all institutions

• Residency visa stamp in passport: GDRFA file number printed alongside visa category and expiry date

• ICP Smart App or icp.gov.ae: Both numbers accessible digitally after logging in with your passport number or UAE Pass

• UAE Pass app: Emirates ID number and residency details accessible without carrying the physical card

An Egyptian resident filling out a UAE bank account application that asks for "immigration card number" should enter the 15-digit Emirates ID number from the front of their card. Not the GDRFA file number, unless the form specifically labels the field "residency file number". When the form is ambiguous, Emirates ID number is always the right default.

Important Considerations When Using Your Immigration Card Number

• The Emirates ID number starts with 784, the country code for UAE. Any number that doesn't follow the 784-YYYY-XXXXXXX-X format is not a valid Emirates ID number.

• Some older UAE tenancy contracts, court documents, and legal filings from before 2015 may reference a shorter "immigration card number", this is the GDRFA file number, not the Emirates ID number.

• If you've lost your physical Emirates ID, your number is still retrievable at icp.gov.ae using your passport number and date of birth, you don't need the physical card to access the number.

• UAE Pass users can share their Emirates ID number digitally with institutions without presenting the physical card at over 5,800 government and private services (UAE Government, 2026).

Immigration Card for Dependent Visa Holders

Dependent visa holders in UAE, spouses and children sponsored by a UAE resident, receive their own Emirates ID as their immigration card. The sponsor's Emirates ID and the dependent's residency visa stamp together form the complete immigration documentation set for dependent residents in 2026.

How Dependents Get Their UAE Immigration Card

The UAE resident sponsor (employee or investor) applies for a dependent entry permit through GDRFA at gdrfad.gov.ae or icp.gov.ae. Each dependent, spouse, children under 18, and in some cases parents, receives their own individual Emirates ID card. The sponsor's Emirates ID number is linked to each dependent's residency record in ICP's population register.

Minimum salary requirements for sponsoring dependents stand at AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 per month plus accommodation (MOHRE, 2026). A British expatriate in Dubai earning AED 10,000 per month, for instance, sponsors his wife and two children, each receives their own Emirates ID within 5 working days of biometric registration, with all three records linked to the sponsor's GDRFA file number.

Key Points for Dependent Immigration Documents

• Each dependent receives an individual Emirates ID, it's not shared with

  References

  • icp.gov.ae (icp.gov.ae)

  • gdrfad.gov.ae (gdrfad.gov.ae)