Topic Summary
Lost your Emirates ID in the UAE? Report it free via the UAEICP Smart App first to block the card, then apply for a replacement for AED 300, with delivery in 5–7 working days.
The ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) processes a significant volume of Emirates ID replacement requests annually, yet many UAE residents still don't know the correct sequence. The replacement fee is AED 300 (ICP, 2026). Standard processing takes 5–7 working days. Urgent processing cuts that to 1–2 working days. Reporting the loss is free and takes under 5 minutes via the UAEICP Smart App. And critically, reporting must come before the replacement application, not after.
This guide is for UAE residents who have just realised their Emirates ID is missing and want to know exactly what to do. You'll find the full process here: how to report the loss, how to apply for a replacement, what it costs, what you can and cannot do without the physical card, how a damaged card is handled differently, and what to do if you lost the card abroad. Where other parts of the Emirates ID journey are covered, we link to our dedicated pages rather than repeat them.
What Should I Do First If I Have a Lost Emirates ID?
The first step when you have a lost Emirates ID is to report it to the ICP to block the card and prevent misuse. You can report online via the UAEICP Smart App, the ICP website at icp.gov.ae, or by calling 6005-22222. Do this before applying for a replacement.
Why Reporting the Loss Comes Before Everything Else
Reporting your lost Emirates ID immediately blocks the card in ICP's national registry. That single action prevents anyone from using it for fraudulent identity verification, something that can happen faster than most people expect.
ICP flags the card number as lost the moment the report is submitted, which also protects you legally. If someone else uses the card after the loss is reported, you have a timestamped record proving you flagged it. Without that record, the situation becomes far harder to resolve.
Failing to report first doesn't technically stop you from applying for a replacement, but it leaves the old card active. That's a security risk you don't want. Reporting is free and takes under five minutes through any official ICP channel.
Consider this scenario: a Dubai-based marketing manager loses their Emirates ID on the metro during the morning commute. They open the UAEICP Smart App on the platform, file the loss report within the hour, and receive a reference number before reaching the office. The card is blocked. They submit the replacement application the same afternoon. The whole process starts and ends in one working day.
Reporting Channels: Online, App, and Phone
You have several options for filing the report. Use whichever is fastest for you:
UAEICP Smart App (iOS and Android): log in with UAE PASS, select "Report Lost Card", confirm your identity. Takes under five minutes.
ICP website at icp.gov.ae: the same process via desktop browser, useful if you don't have the app installed.
ICP call centre on 6005-22222: an agent logs the report and issues a reference number over the phone.
Typing centres and ICP service centres: in-person reporting is available across the UAE if you prefer face-to-face assistance.
Always save or screenshot the reference number given after reporting. You'll need it when you submit the replacement application, it's a required field, not an optional one.
How Do I Apply to Replace My Emirates ID?
After reporting the loss, apply for a replacement Emirates ID through the ICP website, the UAEICP Smart App, or a registered typing centre. You'll need your Emirates ID number, passport, and residence visa details. Pay the replacement fee and book a biometric appointment if required. Processing takes five to seven working days.
Documents You Need for the Replacement Application
Gather these before you open the application form, it speeds things up considerably:
Your Emirates ID number: even when the card is lost, the number is retrievable from bank statements, insurance cards, or a previous photocopy. Don't skip this step, it's required.
Original passport and a clear copy: both are needed for identity verification.
Current UAE residence visa: required for expatriate residents; the visa page or e-visa confirmation works.
Reference number from your loss report: generated when you filed the report, this is mandatory.
Family book (Khulasat Al Qaid): UAE nationals may be asked to provide this at the service centre.
If your Emirates ID is tied to a free zone residency visa, the UAE residency visa services team at Dubai South Business Hub can help you confirm which documents apply to your specific visa type before you apply.
Emirates ID Replacement Cost and Delivery Timelines
The standard replacement fee is AED 300 for the card itself. If you apply through a typing centre rather than directly online, expect an additional service fee of AED 40.
An urgent processing option is available for an additional surcharge. Confirm the current figure directly with ICP before applying, as fees are subject to change and we don't want to quote a figure that's been revised.
Standard processing: 5–7 working days
Urgent processing: 1–2 working days
Delivery: Emirates Post to your registered address, or collection from an ICP service centre
You can track your application status through the ICP portal once the application number is issued. Keep that number safe.
Step-by-Step: How to Replace Your Emirates ID Online
To replace a lost Emirates ID online: report the loss on icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP Smart App, then open the replacement application form, enter your Emirates ID number and passport details, upload supporting documents, pay the AED 300 fee, book a biometric slot if prompted, and track delivery via the ICP portal.
Step 1: Report the Loss and Get a Reference Number
Log in to icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP Smart App using your UAE PASS credentials.
Navigate to "Report Lost or Stolen ID Card" and complete the short form, it asks for basic personal details and confirms your identity.
Save the reference number immediately. Screenshot it. You cannot submit the replacement application without it.
Step 2: Submit the Replacement Application and Pay
Open the Emirates ID replacement service on icp.gov.ae or the app.
Enter your Emirates ID number, passport number, and visa details. Upload clear scanned copies of each document.
Select your processing speed: standard (5–7 working days) or urgent (1–2 working days).
Pay AED 300 via debit or credit card. If you're applying through a typing centre, add AED 40 for the service fee.
Note the application number. You'll use it to track the card's progress.
Step 3: Biometrics and Card Collection
Most straightforward replacement requests don't require a new biometric session if your data is already on file with ICP. If ICP flags that your biometric data needs updating, you'll be prompted to book an appointment at an ICP service centre, this is uncommon but does happen for older records.
Once approved, the card is dispatched by Emirates Post to your registered address. If it doesn't arrive within the stated window, call ICP on 6005-22222 with your application number ready.
Can I Use a Digital Emirates ID While I Wait for My Replacement?
UAE PASS includes a digital Emirates ID feature that displays your verified identity data on your smartphone. Most government and semi-government services accept it for online transactions. However, some physical checks, such as certain bank counter verifications and police procedures, still require the physical card. It's a useful interim tool, but not a universal substitute.
What UAE PASS's Digital ID Actually Covers
UAE PASS is the national digital identity app, linked directly to ICP records in real time. The digital Emirates ID within it shows your name, ID number, nationality, and expiry date, the same data as the physical card. You can share a verifiable digital copy with a third party without handing over anything physical.
Here's a practical example: an Abu Dhabi-based finance professional loses their Emirates ID on a Friday evening. They use UAE PASS to complete a government portal transaction over the weekend without interruption, then submit the replacement application on Monday morning. No services missed, no delays.
The digital ID is accepted for:
Online government portals and app-based services
Many private-sector digital platforms
ICP residency service applications via the app
Lost vs Damaged Emirates ID: Process Comparison
Feature | Lost Emirates ID | Damaged Emirates ID |
|---|---|---|
Loss report required before applying | Yes, mandatory. Reference number required in application. | No, card is in your possession; no security risk to block. |
Card surrender required | No, card is missing; nothing to surrender. | Yes, damaged card must be surrendered at an ICP centre or posted to ICP. |
Replacement fee | AED 300 (plus AED 40 if via typing centre) | AED 300 (same fee applies) |
Standard processing time | 5–7 working days | 5–7 working days |
Urgent processing available | Yes, 1–2 working days; surcharge applies (confirm with ICP) | Yes, 1–2 working days; same surcharge applies |
What You Cannot Do Without the Physical Card
UAE PASS won't cover everything. Keep these limitations in mind during the replacement window:
Opening a new bank account at a branch counter typically requires the physical card.
Police station procedures, certain court submissions, and airport immigration require the physical card.
Some private healthcare providers require the physical card for insurance claims processing.
Driving on UAE roads is permissible with a valid driving license and passport if the Emirates ID is temporarily unavailable, but always carry an alternative photo ID.
Do not attempt to use an expired or cancelled card as a substitute. It's no longer valid once the loss report is filed.
What If My Emirates ID Is Damaged Rather Than Lost?
A damaged Emirates ID follows a different process from a lost one. You don't need to file a loss report. Instead, apply directly for a replacement through icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP Smart App, surrender the damaged card, and pay the AED 300 replacement fee. Processing timelines are the same as for a lost card replacement.
How the Damaged Card Process Differs from a Lost Card
Because the card is in your possession, there's no security risk to block and no loss report is needed. You apply directly via icp.gov.ae, selecting "Damaged Card" as the reason for replacement.
The damaged card must be surrendered at an ICP service centre or posted to ICP as instructed, don't destroy it yourself.
The replacement fee is the same: AED 300.
If the chip is unreadable but the card is physically intact, ICP may still classify it as damaged rather than defective. Clarify this with the service agent before submitting.
What Counts as Damage Versus Normal Wear
Cracks, chips, delamination, or a non-functioning smart chip all qualify as damage warranting replacement. A card that's been through a washing machine with a corrupted chip is treated as damaged, not lost, so you won't need to file a loss report in that situation.
Minor surface scratches that don't affect the chip or printed data may not qualify. Check with ICP before applying to avoid paying a fee unnecessarily. ICP officers make the final determination at the service centre.
What Do I Do If I Lose My Emirates ID Outside the UAE?
If you lose your Emirates ID outside the UAE, report it immediately through the ICP website or UAEICP Smart App, both are fully accessible internationally. You cannot collect the replacement card until you return to the UAE. Re-enter using your passport and valid residence visa; the Emirates ID is not a travel document and is not required at immigration.
Reporting the Loss from Abroad
The ICP website and UAEICP Smart App work from anywhere in the world. Report the loss immediately regardless of your location, don't wait until you're back in the UAE.
Here's a real-world scenario: a UAE resident travelling in Europe realises their Emirates ID is missing from their wallet after checking into a hotel. They open the UAEICP Smart App, file the loss report in under five minutes, receive the reference number, and then contact their UAE bank to flag the loss and request any relevant account protections. The card is blocked before they even leave the hotel room.
UAE embassies and consulates can assist with the report if you don't have internet access, though the app is faster. Save the reference number as timestamped proof before you return. There's no separate overseas fee, the standard AED 300 replacement fee applies once you submit the application.
Re-entering the UAE Without Your Emirates ID
UAE residents re-enter the country on their passport and valid residence visa stamp or e-visa. The Emirates ID is not a travel document and is not required at immigration. If you're asked, simply inform the immigration officer that your Emirates ID was lost abroad, they can verify your residency status through the passport.
Once back in the UAE, complete the replacement application immediately. If your residence visa is also due for renewal around the same time, it's worth reading the guidance on how to renew your Emirates ID and residence visa together, so you don't end up paying two separate application fees when one consolidated process may apply.
Lost Emirates ID FAQ: Five Questions Residents Ask Most
The five most common questions about a lost Emirates ID cover: whether to report before applying, what the replacement costs, how long it takes, whether UAE PASS covers you in the interim, and what happens if the card is lost abroad.
Do I Have to Report the Loss Before I Can Apply for a Replacement?
Yes. ICP's process requires the loss report to be filed first. The reference number generated by that report is a required field in the replacement application, you can't skip it. Reporting is free and takes under five minutes via icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP Smart App. Skipping this step leaves the old card active and creates a genuine identity security risk.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Lost Emirates ID?
The ICP card fee is AED 300. If you apply through a typing centre rather than directly online, add AED 40 for the service fee. Urgent processing carries an additional surcharge, confirm the current figure with ICP before applying, as fees are subject to revision. There's no fine for losing the card itself, but continued use of a reported-lost card is a legal offence under UAE identity law.
How Long Does Emirates ID Replacement Take?
Standard processing takes 5–7 working days. Urgent processing takes 1–2 working days. The card is delivered by Emirates Post to your registered address, or you can collect it from an ICP service centre. Track progress via the ICP portal using your application number, the ICP tracking guide explains the steps.
Can UAE PASS Replace My Physical Emirates ID for Daily Use?
UAE PASS is accepted for most online government services and many private digital platforms. It's not accepted everywhere, bank branches, police counters, and airport immigration all require the physical card. Use it as a bridge during the replacement window, not as a permanent substitute.
What Happens If I Lose My Emirates ID While Travelling Abroad?
Report it immediately via the UAEICP Smart App or icp.
References
ICP (icp.gov.ae)
Frequently Asked Questions
