Difference Between UAE Residence Visa and Emirates ID

UAE Residence Visa and Emirates ID

Are you an investor who wishes to have a business in the UAE? Do you have questions regarding the Emirates ID and residency visa process and the differences between them? In this blog, we would be highlighting all the important information. 

What are the benefits of obtaining an Emirate ID?

In the near past, less than four years ago, if a foreign national wanted to reside in the UAE, he needed to have a residency visa inside his or her passport. Now, things have changed as foreigners who gain residency in the UAE may have their own Emirates ID card.

Representing an important identification document, the Emirates ID is issued by the Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security, or ICP. This ID card is obligatory for all Emiratis and also now for all expats or foreigners who reside in the UAE.

Benefits of the Emirates ID include:

• You can never access any governmental services in the UAE without an Emirates ID card
• It serves, for the nationals of the UAE, as a proven identification card within the countries of GCC, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
• Using the Emirates ID, the holder of the card can access electronic and smart gates at any of the UAE airports to enter more smoothly and easily.
• The Emirates ID is mandatory to take part in the Federal National Council elections.

The Residency Visa

Foreigners who are planning for a longer stay in the UAE require to have a Residency Visa. In the past, non-Emiratis needed to enter the country by obtaining a visit visa, as the most common and perhaps the easiest to obtain visa in the UAE. Afterwards, they would apply for residency while they are already inside the country.   

Nevertheless, all these procedures changed in the year 2022, when the authorities of the UAE started issuing Emirates ID for expats and foreigners who live in the country for a long period of time. 

The objectives of these changes included an attempt to raise the quality of the services the authorities of the UAE provide to non-nationals. Additionally, these steps simplified the process for foreigners to obtain residency in the UAE.

The government of the UAE also wanted to rely on the best practices adopted internationally for the management of the residency applications. In fact, these new steps reduced the time and procedures required to obtain residency through the issuing of Emirates ID to foreigners who wish to live in the UAE. 

What do these changes mean?

All these new procedures actually succeeded in achieving their objectives as now investors who wish to have a company or a business in the UAE can do that by following more simplified steps and in a shorter period of time. Additionally, the smart application launched by the Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security, or ICP, made it much easier as applicants can have their own electronic copy of the Emirates Identification card.

It became much easier now as the airlines themselves can serve as a verification for the foreigners’ residency status when they reach the UAE. This is carried out using both the passport number and the Emirates ID via simply the passport reader. 

How do you renew your Emirates ID?

Like every identification card all over the globe, the Emirates ID expires after a certain period of time and Emirati citizens and foreigners need to renew them. Citizens of the UAE have the option to renew their ID from 1 to 6 months before its expired. On the other hand, residents only apply for renewal when their IDs are expired. Additionally, there is a fine for late application, for those who fail to renew before 30 days of its expiration date. 

It’s a great idea that the ICP notifies all holders of the Emirates ID by sending text messages. There are several methods for renewal, the easiest is online through the ICP online portal. This can also be carried out through some typing centers, as well as the ICP service center, in case this is needed. 

IFZA and its role

Businessmen and investors can start their ambitious projects in the UAE at any time with the help of IFZA, International Free Zone Authority. Every element of success is available in the UAE to grant investors and entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow their business inside the UAE.  The authority paves the way to any startup that wish to begin operating in the country. 

Final thoughts

The UAE authorities have taken serious measures to attract investors. This includes the issuance of Emirates ID to foreigners who wish to reside in the country. We present you with all the information you need about the Emirates ID and residency visa.