Khaleej Times, Monday, May 29, 2023 | Thul-Qidah 9, 1444
UAE: Now, renew Emirates ID cards, passports from anywhere in the world, says report
Emirates:
The UAE has recently launched a service allowing individuals to renew their
Emirates ID cards and passports from outside the United Arab Emirates. The
Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has
introduced this long-awaited change.
However, there is a crucial condition that individuals must meet to avail of
this service—the applicant must personally apply for the transaction through the
authority's dedicated smart application, ensuring that they are the rightful
owner of the documents.
According to an Arabic daily, Emarat AlYoum, Nasser Ahmed Al-Abdouli, the
Director of Customer Happiness Management at the Federal Authority for Identity
and Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, shed light on renewing Emirati ID
cards from abroad. He informed that the authority now exclusively offers the
renewal service through its smart application. If the request is submitted
through printing centres or by someone other than the transaction owner within
the country, the application will be rejected if it is found out that the person
is outside the UAE.
During an interview with 'Noor Dubai' radio, Al-Abdouli elaborated on the steps
involved in renewing ID cards from overseas. "Individuals residing outside the
UAE can access the authority's smart application on their mobile phones," he
explained. "They can select the service for renewing ID cards from abroad,
submit their application, pay the fees, and complete the transaction
seamlessly."
Al-Abdouli urged everyone to adhere to the guidelines, particularly citizens,
while taking a photograph for the documents. It is crucial to comply with the
official dress code.
The authority has outlined nine specific criteria that must be met to ensure the
acceptance of personal photos submitted through their smart systems,
irrespective of the applicant's age. These
standards include:
Wearing the official attire of the United Arab Emirates.
Allowing head
coverings in accordance with customs and traditions.
Using a white background.
Providing a high-quality and recent colored photo taken within the last
six months (35-40 mm).
Ensuring the head is positioned straight and parallel to the camera lens.
Maintaining a neutral facial expression.
Keeping both eyes open and facing the camera without colored contact
lenses.
Ensuring that glasses do not obstruct the eyes or cause reflections.
The image resolution should be at least 600 dots per inch, free from ink
marks or wrinkles.
The authority urges all customers to double-check the accuracy and validity of
their ID numbers and expiration dates when applying for renewal or replacement.
They should also verify the correctness of the data entered in the electronic
form before making the payment to avoid any delays in processing their
transactions. Additionally, individuals are advised to verify the accuracy of
their phone numbers, email addresses, and preferred delivery methods indicated
in the electronic form.