Anyone who wants to emigrate to Dubai cannot get around it: The Emirates ID. This key document is necessary if you want to open bank accounts, buy property, or do business in Dubai or the UAE.
But how do you get the Emirates ID, what are the requirements, and what is the exact procedure along with the costs? Everything about the Emirates ID in this comprehensive guide.
What is the Emirates ID?
The Emirates ID is the central identification document in the UAE, alongside the passport. The Emirates ID is linked to the VISA and enables daily life in Dubai and the UAE. This ranges from opening bank accounts and buying/renting property to concluding contracts of all kinds.
GCC nationals can now travel throughout the GCC region with Emirates and no longer require a passport. This is also planned for expats in the future.
The application for the Emirates ID is one of the first and most important steps for anyone looking to emigrate to Dubai.
Prerequisites
Fundamentally, there are only two prerequisites for obtaining an Emirates ID. The first prerequisite is access to a VISA via Property purchase or Company formation. In the case of families, the husband also has the option to sponsor his wife's and children's visas. However, the husband must possess a visa and Emirates ID himself.
The second requirement is passing the medical test (more on this later), which tests for highly infectious diseases and sexually transmitted diseases.
Process
Below is a step-by-step guide to obtaining your Emirates ID. Usually, the process begins even before you enter the UAE, as steps 1 and 2 can be done remotely.
1. Visa Sponsoring
As described above, a VISA must be sponsored. This can be achieved either by purchasing property or founding a company. In the case of employment as an employee, the employer sponsors the VISA. However, the majority of VISAs are granted for founded companies, as this also offers the possibility of engaging in business activities and many entrepreneurs require a company anyway.
2. EVISA / VISA Application
Subsequently, the application for the VISA is submitted, during which all important master data is recorded and the VISA sponsor is entered. The data collection partly includes the provision of parents' details and names in Arabic script.
An EVISA will then be issued. This is valid for 60 days and should be carried with you upon entry. You should also carry this with you and present it again at passport control when entering via DXB airport.
3. Medical Test
After entering via EVISA, you can immediately schedule an appointment for the medical test. There are numerous facilities for this in Dubai and the UAE. Typically, the test does not take longer than 30 minutes (including waiting time) and involves a blood sample and a chest X-ray.
Many people are afraid of this doctor's appointment, however, here only the blood is tested for sexually transmitted diseases and the lungs for abnormalities that can indicate tuberculosis. Tuberculosis has no longer been a serious issue in Europe for a long time, and as long as you do not have sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, there is no reason to worry.
If you book the VIP service on-site, the result (hopefully “FIT”) is available in 3 hours.
4. Biometrics
Biometrics, also called biometrics, is the second important part of the on-site process in Dubai and is essentially nothing more than taking fingerprints, which are stored on the Emirates ID. A photo is also taken and this data is then stored on the Emirates ID.
This is also why the Emirates ID is the key document, as it can be used via fingerprint scan for verification and signing of documents. This step usually takes no longer than 1 hour, including waiting time, with optimal planning.
5. Emirates ID Application and Delivery
The final step is the written application for the Emirates ID via the (online) form. Once this form is submitted, the Emirates ID will be printed, and processing usually takes only a few working days.
Duration
The entire process on-site usually takes no longer than 3-4 working days if it is ideally planned and executed. Those who are under time pressure or want a smooth process should definitely commission a service provider once to handle it. In particularly unfortunate cases, it has been reported that it took several weeks, as some people try it themselves without knowledge and experience.
If in doubt, you can also leave after these 3-4 working days and arrange for another person to collect the card once it has been printed.
Costs
The total cost for the Emirates ID usually comes to around €500 if you do it yourself. This includes the medical test (VIP processing – recommended), biometrics, and postal delivery. It's not always recommended to handle the entire process yourself, as communication and appointment coordination with the authorities can often be complicated. If you hire an agency, you'll typically pay €1,000 – €1,500, and the process is significantly faster and less stressful.
Summary
The Emirates ID is arguably the most important document when it comes to emigrating and living in Dubai. It is both an identity card and a key document, allowing you to sign documents, enter into contracts, open accounts, buy/rent property, and much more.
However, the basic requirement is a VISA sponsor. This can be a company, a property, or a family member (husband).
However, the process should be well planned, as otherwise it can take several weeks instead of a few working days.
