Quick answer: if your Emirates ID is lost, stolen or badly damaged, report it promptly and apply for a replacement through ICP. The replacement card keeps the same validity period as the original. ICP currently lists an AED 300 replacement-card fee, with additional service-channel fees depending on how you apply.
Last verified: 1 October 2026 against Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) service information.
What should you do first if your Emirates ID is lost?
ICP’s card-holder duties say a lost Emirates ID should be reported to an Emirates ID service point within 7 days of the loss. You should then apply for a replacement rather than waiting until renewal time.
If you believe the card was stolen, keep a record of when and where you noticed the loss and follow any additional reporting instructions given by ICP or the police.
What if the card is damaged rather than lost?
ICP says a card that is partly or fully damaged so that it can no longer be used should also be reported and replaced. Do not keep using a card with a broken chip, unreadable data or major physical damage if it no longer works properly.
How much does a replacement Emirates ID cost?
ICP’s current service page lists the following fee components:
| Fee | Current listed amount |
|---|---|
| Replacement card for lost/damaged ID | AED 300 |
| Smart service fee | AED 100 |
| Urgent service fee at Authority service centres | AED 150 |
| Replacement to update displayed data at service centres | AED 150 |
These are listed fee components, not a promise that every applicant will pay the same total. Your final amount depends on the channel and service used.
What documents are required?
ICP currently lists documents such as:
- passport;
- personal photo;
- proof of UAE residence when required for residents;
- any other document requested for your category or application channel.
How do you apply?
- Use ICP’s official smart-services platform, app or service centre.
- Select the replacement service for a lost or damaged ID.
- Upload/provide the required documents.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Follow the application status through the official channel.
- Receive the replacement card through the delivery/collection method provided in your application.
Does the replacement get a new expiry date?
No. ICP states that a replacement for a lost or damaged card is issued with the same validity period as the original card. Replacing a lost card does not reset your residence or Emirates ID expiry.
What if the card is close to expiry?
If the card is already near expiry, check whether renewal is more appropriate than a simple replacement. ICP separates replacement, renewal and data-update services, so use the service that matches your actual situation.
Do you need to replace the card if only your phone number changed?
Not necessarily. ICP has separate services for updating non-essential data such as phone number, email and address. A lost/damaged-card replacement is for the physical card problem itself.
Common mistakes
- Waiting weeks before reporting a lost card.
- Using unofficial agents or links instead of ICP channels.
- Assuming a replacement gives a new residence-validity period.
- Paying for urgent service without checking whether you actually need it.
- Applying for replacement when the real issue is a data update or renewal.
Related guides: Emirates ID for new residents, UAE PASS setup and the UAE hub.
