Emirates ID Format — Complete UAE ID Number Guide 2026

Every UAE resident has an Emirates ID, but most people have never actually read what the number on it means. If you have ever been confused about why your Emirates ID starts with 784, what the middle digits represent, or how this number differs from your UID or visa file number — this guide covers all of it.

Whether you’re applying for an Emirates ID, checking its status, or simply trying to understand what the numbers represent, in this guide I will walk you through the Emirates ID format, its significance, and how to locate key details.

What Is the Emirates ID Number Format?

The Emirates ID number is a unique 15-digit identifier printed across the center of every Emirates ID card. It follows this structure:

784 — YYYY — XXXXXXX — X

A real example looks like this: 784-2015-1234567-8

Here is what each segment means:

Important clarification about the 4-digit year segment: Most people assume this is always their birth year. It is not. For UAE nationals, it is typically their birth year. For expatriate residents, it is the year their Emirates ID application was first registered in the ICP system.

If you applied for your first Emirates ID in a year different from your birth year, the YYYY segment will reflect that registration year, not your date of birth.

Is This Number Permanent?

Yes — completely. Your Emirates ID number is permanent and will never change regardless of what happens to your card or your residency status. Whether your card expires, gets lost, is damaged, or is replaced, you receive a new physical card with the identical 15-digit number. Even if you leave the UAE and return years later, the same number is reactivated on your new card.

This permanence is by design. The number is linked to your file across every UAE government system — including traffic fine records, healthcare records, banking, and driving licence databases. It functions as your single permanent identity anchor in the UAE.

What can be changed on an Emirates ID: While the number itself is permanent, personal details linked to your card can be updated. You must report any changes to your personal information — such as your address or mobile number — to the relevant authorities within one month of the change occurring. For expatriate residents, changes to your residency details are automatically reflected when your visa is renewed.

What Information Is Stored on the Emirates ID Chip?

The Emirates ID is a smart card. The visible number is only part of what the card contains. Embedded in the card’s electronic chip is a comprehensive profile of the cardholder, with a storage capacity of approximately 32,000 characters.

The chip stores the following information:

Readable by authorized government systems only (encrypted):

• Fingerprint biometric data (both index fingers for residents over 15)
• Digital signature
• Biometric photograph
• Encrypted residency and immigration data

Readable for standard verification:

• Full legal name
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Emirates ID number
• Card expiry date
• Residency status

The chip operates under UAE Federal Law No. 9 of 2006 on Population Register and Identity Card and its amendments. Private entities — including employers and banks — are legally permitted to read the non-encrypted surface data on your card but cannot access encrypted biometric data. It is also against UAE law for any employer or company to physically confiscate your Emirates ID card.

Children and biometric exemptions: Children under 15 years of age are issued an Emirates ID but are exempt from the fingerprint biometric requirement. Their fingerprints and signature are captured when they turn 15 at an ICP Customer Happiness Centre. People with physical disabilities preventing fingerprint scanning are also exempt but still receive the card with all other data stored.

Emirates ID Number vs UID Number vs Visa File Number — The Difference

This is the most common point of confusion for UAE residents. These three numbers look similar, are all used in official processes, and are frequently mixed up — but they are completely different identifiers that serve different purposes.

Emirates ID Number: Printed on the front of your physical card. Starts with 784. Only issued to UAE nationals and legal residents. Used for day-to-day identification — banks, hospitals, government offices.

UID Number: An internal immigration reference assigned the first time you ever enter the UAE on any visa, including a tourist visa. It is permanent and never changes even across multiple visa renewals or cancellations. It is printed on your entry permit or residence visa document but does not appear on the face of your Emirates ID card. Inside the ICP system, your Emirates ID is linked to your UID — but they are different numbers and cannot be used interchangeably on official forms.

Visa File Number: Changes every time your visa is renewed. Follows the format where the first three digits are the emirate code (101 for Abu Dhabi, 201 for Dubai), followed by the year of issue and a 7-digit serial number.

The simple rule: when a form asks for your Emirates ID number, enter the 15-digit code starting with 784. When it asks for your UID or Unified Number, use the number from your entry permit. When it asks for your visa number or file number, use the number with slashes from your visa document.

Related Article: Is UID Number Same As Emirates ID?

What Does EIDA Number Mean?

EIDA stands for Emirates Identity Authority — the government body that originally issued Emirates ID cards when the system was first introduced in 2004. When people refer to an “EIDA number,” they mean the 15-digit Emirates ID number.

However, there is an important update most guides miss: EIDA no longer exists as a separate entity. In 2021, the Emirates Identity Authority was merged into the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security — now known as ICP. All Emirates ID services, previously handled by EIDA, are now managed by ICP through smartservices.icp.gov.ae and ICP Customer Happiness Centres.

So if you see “EIDA number” anywhere on a form or government document, it refers to the same 15-digit Emirates ID number now issued and managed by ICP. The terminology changed but the number format did not.

Where to Find Your Emirates ID Number

Your Emirates ID number is printed prominently in the center of the front face of your card, formatted with dashes: 784-XXXX-XXXXXXX-X.

If you do not have your physical card with you, you can find your Emirates ID number through these channels:

UAE Pass app: If you have registered your Emirates ID on UAE Pass, your full ID number is displayed under My Documents. This is the fastest way to access your number without the physical card.

ICP Smart Services portal: Log in at smartservices.icp.gov.ae with your registered details. Your Emirates ID number and current card status are visible under your profile.

ICP app: Available on Apple App Store and Google Play. Log in with your Emirates ID details or UAE Pass to view your card information.

Check your Emirates ID status: If you are waiting for a new card, you can check its status using your application number at our Emirates ID status check page.

Emirates ID Format for Newborns and Children

Infants born in the UAE are eligible for an Emirates ID from birth. The Emirates ID number format is the same 15-digit structure, with the YYYY segment reflecting the year of their first registration.

For children, the application is submitted by the parent or guardian within 30 days of birth registration. Biometric data — fingerprints and signature — is not captured until the child turns 15. Until that point, the card contains the child’s photograph, personal data, and encrypted profile but no fingerprint biometric.

How to Update Details on Your Emirates ID

Your Emirates ID number cannot be changed. However, the following personal information linked to your card can be updated through ICP:

Your name can be corrected if there is a spelling error or legal name change through the relevant authority. Your mobile number and contact details can be updated online via the ICP Smart Services portal or at an ICP Customer Happiness Centre. Your address is updated automatically when you renew your residency or through the ICP portal. Your photograph is captured fresh at each renewal.

UAE nationals and residents are legally required to update any changes to their personal information within one month of the change occurring.

Emirates ID Card Validity and Renewal

Emirates ID validity depends on your residency status:

UAE nationals: Cards are issued for 5 or 10 years. The fee is AED 285 for a 1-year card or AED 385 for a 2-year card (for citizens).

Expatriate residents: Card validity matches your residency visa duration — typically 2 or 3 years. The fee is AED 100 per year of validity.

Renewal timing: You can renew your Emirates ID up to 6 months before expiry. If you renew after the expiry date but within one month, no fine applies. If renewal is submitted more than one month after expiry, a fine of AED 20 per day applies, up to a maximum of AED 1,000.

Your Emirates ID number remains the same on every renewed card. Only the expiry date and physical card serial number change.

For full renewal steps, see our Emirates ID renewal guide.

Digital Emirates ID

Since the integration with UAE Pass, every Emirates ID holder can access a digital version of their card. The digital Emirates ID is legally accepted as a valid form of identification by hundreds of UAE government and semi-government entities.

To access it, download the UAE Pass app, register using your Emirates ID number and UAE mobile number, and complete the face verification step. Your digital Emirates ID appears under My Documents. You can use it at ICP service centres, hospitals, banks, and anywhere displaying the UAE Pass acceptance logo — without carrying the physical card.

Frequently Asked Questions — Emirates ID Format

What is the Emirates ID number format?

The Emirates ID number is a 15-digit code formatted as 784-YYYY-XXXXXXX-X. The first three digits (784) are the UAE ISO country code. The next four digits are the year of registration in the ICP system. The following seven digits are a randomly assigned unique sequence. The final digit is a check digit for system verification.

What is EIDA number?

EIDA stands for Emirates Identity Authority, the former government body that issued Emirates ID cards before being merged into ICP in 2021. An EIDA number is the same as an Emirates ID number — the 15-digit permanent identifier starting with 784. All EIDA functions are now handled by ICP.

Is the Emirates ID number the same as the UID number?

No. These are two completely different numbers. The Emirates ID number is the 15-digit code starting with 784 printed on your physical card. The UID (Unified Identification Number) is a 9 to 15-digit immigration reference assigned to everyone who enters the UAE — including tourists — and it is printed on your entry permit, not on your Emirates ID card. They are linked in the ICP system but cannot be used interchangeably.

Can the Emirates ID number be changed?

No. The Emirates ID number is permanent. It remains the same for your entire residency in the UAE regardless of how many times you renew, replace, or lose your card. Only the physical card is replaced — the number printed on the new card is always identical to your original number.

How do I find my Emirates ID number without the card?

You can find your Emirates ID number through the UAE Pass app under My Documents, through the ICP Smart Services portal at smartservices.icp.gov.ae, or through the ICP mobile app. All three require your registered mobile number and face verification for secure access.

What is the identity number in UAE?

The identity number in the UAE refers to the Emirates ID number — the 15-digit permanent code assigned to every UAE national and expatriate resident. It is the primary identifier used for government services, banking, healthcare, and all official transactions within the UAE.

Does the Emirates ID number contain your birth year?

Not necessarily. The 4-digit segment in the Emirates ID number reflects the year of registration in the ICP system, which for UAE nationals is typically their birth year. For expatriate residents, it is the year their first Emirates ID application was registered — which may differ from their actual birth year.