Abu Dhabi: More than two million national ID cardholders will soon be able to renew their cards at certified typing centres, cutting out the need to go to Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) registration centres, a top official told Gulf News yesterday.
The advantage of the new renewal system is that ID cardholders will not have to make an appointment or check the working hours of Eida centres, Dr Ali Al Khoury, Acting General Manager of Emirates Identity Authority (Eida), said.
"Instead they can visit any certified typing centre which mostly work long hours," he said.
He said the new renewal system was expected to be operational by next month.
At present ID cardholders have to visit Eida registration centres for renewal with separate counters set aside for them.
New system
Under the new registration system using an e-application form, applicants can carry out the pre-registration process such as filling out the application form, scanning identification documents and paying fees at typing centres. The second phase of the process involves them making an appointment to visit an Eida registration centre to submit their signature, fingerprints and photographs.
"Since the ID cardholders have already done the second phase, we don't want to bother them to repeat the same," Al Khoury said.
The typing centres will complete the renewal procedure by accepting the fee and transfer the data to Eida which will send the new ID card by courier.
"But some of the ID holders may have to visit Eida centres, if their fingerprints stored on the Eida system are not good quality [not clear]," he said.
He said Eida was preparing a list of such ID cardholders [whose fingerprints are not clear] which will be available to typing centres. The typing centres can advise the ID holders to visit Eida centres to complete the process, the official said.
Children who will be 15 while renewing the card also have to visit the Eida centres, Al Khoury said.
Registration guidelines
Who must visit Eida centres for renewal
- Cardholders whose fingerprints are not clear on the Eida system (Typing centres will have the list of these ID holders)
- Children who are 15 while renewing the card have to visit Eida centre for their fingerprints to be taken
- System until ID registration is linked to visa medical tests
Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) said the new renewal system at typing centres will continue until ID card registration and renewal is linked with visa medical tests. When Eida registration centres open at Primary Medical Centres conducting visa medical tests, all ID cardholders will have to have their fingerprints taken again, the official said. "But they will be able to do it along with visa medical tests, so it will be easy," Dr Ali Al Khoury, Acting General Manager of Eida, said. "We will store the best fingerprints on our system." As Gulf News reported earlier, visa medical tests have already been linked to ID registration and renewal in Umm Al Quwain and this will be extended to other emirates later.
Fee and documents
- Fees and documents to be submitted for renewal are the same as ID registration
- Dh100 for Emiratis for five years
- Dh100 per annum for GCC nationals (maximum five years validity) and expatriates (validity subject to residence visa validity)
- Applicants have to pay Dh20 courier charges and Dh50 for typing and service charges.
- Documents needed: For Emiratis: application form, original valid Passport, original family book, parent's family book (Optional and aimed at electronically connecting the family tree). For expatriates: application form, valid original passport including residence visa.
