Emiratis now have the option to extend the validity of their new or renewed Emirates ID cards to 10 years instead of five years.
The Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) said the decision was taken in September last year. The move will boost the use of ID cards as a top authentic document for identity verification, and a prerequisite to avail government and private services in the country.
Emiratis may now apply for or renew their ID cards either for five years by paying Dh100 or ten years for Dh200. “Of course, these are apart from the routine Dh70 collected against filling the ID form at any of the approved typing centres or Dh40 for online application,” they said.
The authority clarified that the option to choose the validity period is available for two age groups: 15 and above and 6 to 10. The option is not available for those under 5 years and for 11-14 year-olds. The service is available online and via smart phones in case of renewal, and in over 1,400 typing centres across the country, or through ‘Urgent Service’ which is accessible at an extra charge of Dh150.
Eida affirmed the pivotal role of its different projects in promoting the adoption of the Population Register and the advanced identity systems in supporting the federal eGovernment projects and enhancing the work of government entities.
They said 156,184 cards that belong to Emiratis will expire this year.
