Emirates ID Lost Card Replacement 2026 — Fees & Steps

Emirates ID Lost Card Replacement 2026: What to Do First

Losing your Emirates ID is stressful, but the replacement process in 2026 is faster than ever: you can report the loss, submit the application and pay the fees entirely from your phone using the official UAEICP app. The card is mandatory for almost everything in the UAE — residency verification, medical insurance, bank accounts, SIM cards, school registration and even boarding international flights back into the country — so replacing it quickly matters. This guide covers the exact steps, documents, fees and delivery times, plus the 2026 changes that make the process simpler.

Step 1: Report the Loss or Theft

As soon as you realise your Emirates ID is lost or stolen, report it at the nearest ICP Customer Happiness Centre. This deactivates the old card immediately so it cannot be misused for identity fraud. Find your nearest centre at icp.gov.ae/en/customer-happiness-centers.

Damaged card: take the damaged card with you
Lost or stolen card: take a copy of the card if you have one; if not, ICP can confirm your ID number from their system

In Dubai, GDRFA and Amer centres also process Emirates ID replacement services, and most typing centers can prepare and submit the application for you.

Documents Required for Emirates ID Replacement

Gather these before you apply so the process takes minutes rather than days:

Original passport and a valid copy
Copy of your residence visa
Recent coloured passport-sized photo that meets ICP requirements
Copy of the previous Emirates ID (front and back), if available
Sponsor's passport copy (for dependants)
Father's passport copy and Emirates ID (for family members under the father's sponsorship)
Original entry permit or birth certificate where applicable

How to Apply on the UAEICP App — Step by Step

You can complete the entire replacement application on your phone. Here is the 2026 flow:

Download and sign in: get UAEICP from the App Store or Google Play and sign in with UAE Pass for faster processing (recommended), or register with your email.
Find the service: open the menu and search for "Replace Emirates ID for Residents", then tap Start Service.
Fill in the application: confirm your Unified Number, Emirates ID number and previous card expiry date, then select the reason for replacement: change of passport, defective card, or lost or stolen.
Upload documents: attach the required files and a recent passport photo following ICP guidelines.
Review and pay: check every detail before submitting, then pay by debit/credit card or choose the "pay later" option. You will receive a request number by email to track the application.

Emirates ID Replacement Fees in 2026

The official cost of replacing an Emirates ID online is AED 451.40, broken down as follows:

AED 300 — Emirates ID card issuance fee
AED 29.40 — e-service fees
AED 122 — ICP fees

If you use a typing center to prepare the application, expect an additional service fee of roughly AED 30–100. Always confirm the final price before submitting — the official fee structure has not changed in 2026, but service fees vary by center.

Track Your Application and Delivery

After payment, check the status anytime at smartservices.icp.gov.ae using your request number. When the new card is ready:

You receive an SMS from Emirates Post or Zajel with collection details
If you chose home or office delivery, the courier contacts you with the date and time
Important: the replacement card keeps the same expiry date as the lost or damaged one

2026 Updates That Affect Your Replacement

Three 2026 changes are worth knowing before you apply:

Renew up to 12 months early: Emirates ID cards can now be renewed a full year before expiry, and citizens can renew passports and Emirates ID in a single transaction — useful if your replacement is close to the renewal window.
Health card phase-out: the UAE is gradually replacing the health card with the Emirates ID for hospital access and treatment, so keeping a valid, undamaged card matters more than ever.
Exemptions from late-renewal fines: ICP has clarified the three categories exempt from late renewal fines — check whether your situation qualifies before paying any penalty.

Emirates ID Replacement in Dubai vs Other Emirates

In Dubai, Emirates ID replacement is processed through GDRFA and Amer centres, which are integrated with ICP systems. In the other six emirates (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain), the application runs through ICP customer service centres and approved typing centers. The online UAEICP app flow is identical everywhere, but if you prefer in-person help, a licensed typing center can prepare, review and submit the application for you — particularly useful if your documents need translation or attestation first.

Typing centers in the UAE charge between AED 30 and AED 100 for an Emirates ID replacement service on top of the official fee. The total therefore lands between AED 481 and AED 551 depending on the center and emirate. Ask for a written quote before the center submits anything.

Common Mistakes That Delay the Replacement

Most replacement delays come from small, avoidable errors:

Photo rejected: the photo must be on a white background, recent and meet ICP's exact pixel and size requirements — a selfie or a photo with shadows will be returned
Expired passport: if your passport expired, renew it before applying for the Emirates ID replacement
Incorrect reason code: selecting "lost or stolen" instead of "defective card" matters for the record and for any police report requirements
Incomplete beneficiary details: the app asks for place of birth in both English and Arabic — have both ready
Not reporting the loss first: skipping the ICP Customer Happiness Centre report can delay the application because the old card stays active in the system

If your application is returned, you usually have 30 days to correct and resubmit before it is cancelled — and after three returns the application is closed entirely and you must start over.

Video Guide

These videos walk through the lost-card replacement process and general Emirates ID renewals in practical terms:

Official Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to replace a lost Emirates ID in 2026? The online application takes about 10 minutes; the card is typically printed and delivered within 5–7 working days after approval.

Can I replace my Emirates ID from outside the UAE? Yes — the UAEICP app accepts applications from abroad. You will need a valid passport, a photo and proof of residency; delivery arrangements depend on your location.

What if someone finds my lost Emirates ID? The old card is deactivated when you report the loss, so a found card cannot be used. You can hand it to any police station or ICP centre.

Is there a fine for losing my Emirates ID? No fine applies for the first replacement in most cases; you simply pay the AED 451.40 replacement fee. Repeated losses may attract closer scrutiny.

Can a typing center process my Emirates ID replacement? Yes — typing centers across the UAE prepare and submit the application, upload documents and track the status for you for a small service fee.

Related Services and Guides

If you need help with your paperwork, these resources may help:

You can also browse our typing centers in Abu Dhabi or all services to find a verified center near you.

Emirates ID Lost Card Replacement 2026: Fees, Documents & UAEICP App Steps