Dubai: If you are about to visit a customer happiness centre of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) to either renew your Emirates ID or for any other ICA-related service like getting applying for a visa or getting a travel report, you will have to fulfil certain COVID-19 related requirements from August 1.
In a post on their official social media account, the authority announced new precautionary measures for customers and visitors.
According to the announcement, as of Sunday, August 1, 2021, with the exception of the ICA employees, it will be prohibited for customers, visitors, or employees of outsourcing or service companies to enter the ICA’s headquarters or its centres, except in the following cases:
1. The customer or visitor who received two doses of the approved COVID-19 vaccines in UAE, or who has a negative result for the PCR [Polymerase Chain Reaction] nasal swab for 48 hours from receiving the result.
2. Unvaccinated persons who obtained an exception from the competent health authorities, provided that they had a negative result of the PCR test, valid for a period not exceeding 48 hours from receiving the result.
3. Those under the age of 16 years old are excluded from the application of this circular’s provisions.
The post added that the Al Hosn app would be used to verify that visitors fulfil any one of requirements stated above.
How to prove that you are vaccinated?
If you have been fully vaccinated, your status will be updated on the Al Hosn app, which provides the COVID-19 vaccination and test records of each user.
If you wish to get vaccinated but have not been able to do so, you can book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine through your smartphone. To complete your appointment booking process, read our detailed guide here.
How can I apply for an exemption?
According to the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), the following categories of people can apply for the exemption:
1. Active COVID-19 patient
2. Participant in clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine.
3. Pregnant women.
4. Those who were previously infected. The exemption would be issued after medical evaluation.
5. Vaccinated recipients outside the country.
6. For those who were allergic to previous vaccines or to any of the vaccine ingredients or who are suffering from any disease that may conflict with the vaccine according to the medical evaluation
7. Children under 16 years
Can I complete the procedure online?
Another option for UAE residents and visitors is to apply for an ICA-related service online as the authority has shifted many services online. You can complete them either through their website – www.ica.gov.ae, or by downloading their smartphone app – ‘ICA UAE’, which is available for both Apple and Android devices.
If you wish to apply for an Emirates ID through the website, follow these steps:
1. Log in to the ICA website – www.ica.gov.ae
2. Select ‘E-channel services’.
3. Log in to the system using your ICA account details or through your UAE Pass.
4. Go to the control panel and select the service you need. You will first need to click on ‘Department’, which will highlight the emirate which has issued your visa. Then, select ‘Emirates ID services’, under the Module section. Next, select ‘Emirates ID for resident’ under services, with the subservice as per your requirement.
For Emirates IDs, ICA offers the following services:
a. Issue an Emirates ID
b. Renew an Emirates ID
c. Replace an Emirates ID
d. Newborn registration
5. Fill in the form including details like your Unified Number, your Emirates ID number, expiry date and nationality.
6. Upload documents.
7. Review your application.
8. Pay the fees for the service.
The cost of renewing an Emirates ID online is Dh200 for two years and Dh300 for three years.
