Emirates ID replaces residence visa stamp

Dubai will continue processing residence and ID applications separately for now

Emirates ID cards have officially replaced residence visa stickers in the UAE, excluding Dubai, from Monday. The visa sticker with residency details will no longer take up a page on expats’ passports — instead the details will be stored on the new Emirates ID cards.

The Federal Authority of Identify, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has also announced the unification of the two separate applications — one for Emirates ID issuance and the other for renewal of visas for residents in the UAE.

The change merges residence and ID card applications instead of processing them separately. The authority said there will be a unified form for the service for requests of issuance or renewal of residency and Emirates ID.

In Dubai, however, these two applications will continue to be processed separately for now.

What has changed?

In the past, anyone applying for a new residence visa or renewing the visa had to submit their passport to have the visa sticker applied. Now, the new rule means that residents don’t need to have a visa sticker in their passports — for applications made on May 16 and onwards. Those who had applied before May 16 for a new residence visa or its renewal will still get the visa sticker to be pasted in their passport.

Soft copy of Emirates ID

The authority said earlier that people can use their website or the smart app UAEICP to obtain a soft copy of their Emirates ID.

The previous form of residence visa stickers will only be available online via the authority’s smart app, in a step aimed at enhancing transitional flexibility towards using the identity card as an alternative.

The authority had announced the changes last month after a UAE Cabinet decision.

A circular was then sent by the authority to departments and airlines who can now verify the residency status of UAE residents through their passport number and Emirates ID.