by subcodevs
The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, each with its own unique culture, traditions, and natural wonders. The UAE is also emerging as an important player on the global stage due to its rapid economic growth over the past decade. We know that behind every great nation stands great people. The strength of the UAE as a whole stems from its strategic union of seven dynamic entities. In order to further unify and strengthen the nation, the government has embarked on an ambitious National Identity Initiative. This article explores this initiative and explains what it means for residents and visitors of the UAE.
What Is the National Identity Program
The UAE National Identity Program (NIP) is an initiative to create a standardized government-issued national identity card similar to a driver’s license. While the card will not be mandatory, it will provide a wealth of benefits for both Emirati citizens and expats. The Emirates ID card will encompass more than just information about its bearer. The card will have a microchip that links to several important databases, including criminal records and immigration information. With this information at their fingertips, authorities will be better able to ensure public safety and security.
How Will the UAE National ID Card Be Used
In addition to the government’s own uses for the card, many UAE businesses accept the Emirates ID card as a valid form of identification. For those who choose to apply for the card, it can be used to open a bank account, obtain a mortgage, or board a flight within the country. It is also a requirement for participation in the government’s Child Education Fund (CEF) and health insurance. For students, the ID card provides a convenient way to track academic progress. For expats, it provides a quick and easy way to access government-provided healthcare.
Benefits of Having an Emirates ID Card
Expats who live in the UAE and have an Emirates ID card must have the proper visa to stay in the country. However, obtaining this ID card can make the visa application process easier and faster. Currently, only Emirati citizens are eligible for an Emirates ID card. However, if you are an expat, you can apply for a residence permit that allows you to live in the UAE long-term. Once you have a residence permit, you can apply for an Emirates ID card at any time. Having a residence permit will make the application process much simpler. It will also make your stay in the country much more comfortable and secure.
Costs of Getting an Emirates ID Card
The application fee for the Emirates ID card is 100 AED, which roughly translates to $26 USD. This one-time fee covers the cost of your fingerprints, photo, and background check. It also covers the card itself and the equipment needed to process your application. A valid passport and UAE residence permit are required in order to apply for an Emirates ID card. For expats, it’s also important to check with your home government to make sure you don’t have any outstanding obligations that could cause problems while traveling. The Emirates ID card is valid for five years. After this time, it must be renewed. This can be done by visiting any of the service centers listed on the UAE Government website.
How to Get an Emirates ID Card
There are two ways to apply for an Emirates ID card; online and in person. To apply online, you will need to provide information such as your name, date of birth, passport number, and nationality. You will also need to attach a copy of your passport, a copy of your residence permit, and a copy of your completed fingerprint card. If you’d like to apply in person, you will need to visit any of the service centers listed on the UAE Government website. You will need to bring your passport and residence permit along with the required documents listed on the website. Once you’ve applied for an Emirates ID card, be ready to wait a minimum of five business days for the process to complete.
FAQ: Is This the Same as the Electronic Visa
You may have heard about the Electronic Visa or EVAS, which allows tourists to enter the country without having to obtain a visa prior to travel. These are two different systems that serve two different purposes. The Electronic Visa allows tourists to skip the visa waiting period altogether. It is valid for 30 days and is valid for one visit to the UAE only. An EVAS is valid for 90 days, and it is useful to enter any of the seven emirates. The Emirates ID card, on the other hand, is something that must be obtained by people living in UAE. This card is not required for entry into the country, but it does make life much easier for those who choose to apply for it.
In spite of many odds, our team decided to write the communication protocols between the app and the UAEPass server from scratch. Not only we did do that but our team members also wrote an open-source project which should help other developers to help with UAEPass implementation in no time. If you are a .Net Developer and want to download this as a NuGet package, click here.
Our team has really worked hard to develop libraries for UAE Pass for all the major languages. If you care to implement UAE Pass for your web-based or mobile-based app, feel free to contact us.