Missed your Emirates ID renewal in the UAE? Here’s how to apply for late penalty waiver

Failure to update the card within 30 days of the expiration date may result in late payment charges that can be up to a maximum of Dh1,000.

The Emirates ID card is mandatory for all UAE residents: it proves your identity and residence details and is also required for all documentation in the country. Failure to renew or update the card within 30 days of the expiration date may result in late fees of Dh20 per day, up to a maximum of Dh1,000.

However, there is good news: Emiratis and residents can apply for sanctions waivers in certain circumstances. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security outlines the specific eligibility criteria that individuals must meet to qualify for exemption from fines.

Exemption Eligibility:

1. Person who left the country and stayed outside the country for more than three months, and the validity of their identity card expired after the date of their departure from the country.
2. The person whose identity card has expired after having been deported by order, administrative resolution or judicial ruling, or whose passport is seized pending causes, provided that this is proven by letter or receipt issued by the competent authorities that deported him or her. . or suspend it in pending cases.
3. Natural person who has not been issued an identity document during the period before obtaining the nationality of the country and before obtaining the family book.
4. The person who is bedridden or suffers from a contagious disease or partial or total disability. This has to be proven with a medical certificate issued by the relevant authorities of the country.
5. Personnel of diplomatic or consular missions in the country and those under their care.
6. Senior citizens (70 years or older) who cannot visit customer service centers in different emirates are exempt from late fines, provided their age is proven in their family book, passport or any other document approved in the emirates. United Arab Emirates and indicating the age of the customer.
7. Emiratis under the social security system and those under its sponsorship must prove their financial situation with an official certificate issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs or other relevant authorities to be exempt from fines.
8. If the delay in updating or renewing your Emirates ID card is due to a computer error, fines may be waived.

How to apply

Applying for Emirates ID late penalty waiver is free.

To begin the exemption application process, individuals must begin by submitting an identity card renewal application through one of the authorized printers, electronically through the authority’s website or through the smart application.

The system will then display the charges associated with the Emirates ID card, including any late payment charges incurred. If the applicant qualifies for the exemption, the application can be submitted through the smart services system, along with the required documents.

The progress of the application can be followed and the final result, whether approval or rejection, will be communicated. Residents will then receive an SMS with the application number and another text message will be sent within 48 hours indicating whether the application has been accepted or not. If it has been rejected, the applicant is asked to pay the fine within the stipulated number of days. Subsequently, the DNI application process can be completed.

News Source: Khaleej Times