While living in the UAE, one of the most important identity cards that you should always carry around is the Emirates ID. Issued by the government of the UAE, this identity card is a must for all citizens and residents as well.
As part of applying for a new Emirates ID — or renewing an old one — capturing your biometrics is necessary. Hence, you’ll need to go to an Emirates ID Biometrics Centre. In this article, we provide a list of such centres in Dubai, including service centres of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) and other Emirates ID authorized centres.
What is Emirates ID?
Before anything else, let’s have a quick overview of the Emirates ID. Issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP), this identity card is mandatory for all citizens and residents of the UAE.
Locals and expats alike should carry their Emirates ID at all times, especially since it is used for the following purposes:
- To avail of government services;
- To vote in Federal National Council elections;
- To travel within the GCC (for UAE citizens); and
- To pass through immigration at several airports in the UAE.
Emirates ID Biometrics Centres in Dubai
As mentioned earlier, part of applying for or renewing an Emirates ID is the capturing of biometrics. This is done through Emirates ID Biometrics Centres, whose services typically include the following: fingerprint capture, issuance of a new ID card, ID card renewal, ID card replacement, and card collection, among other services.
In Dubai, there are several Emirates ID Biometrics Centres that you can visit to have your biometrics captured. Some of these centres include a range of services, while others are focused on fingerprint procedure for Emirates ID card application only.
Without further ado, here is the list of Emirates ID Biometrics Centres in Dubai, including their addresses and operating hours:
1. Al Baraha Customer Happiness Office
Located in Deira, Al Baraha Customer Happiness Office is attached to Al Baraha Smart Medical Fitness Centre for Residency. It offers the fingerprinting procedure for requesting the Emirates ID card application only.
Al Baraha Customer Happiness Office
Address: Al Baraha Smart Medical Fitness Centre for Residency, Deira, Dubai
Operating Hours: (Monday to Thursday) 7:00 am to 7:30 pm; (Friday) 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
2. Al Barsha Customer Happiness Centre
This centre is situated in Al Barsha 3 District, near Saudi German Hospital. It provides all services related to the Emirates ID card only. Notably, Al Barsha Customer Happiness Centre has been awarded a six-star rating for services, a recognition that is granted by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Al Barsha Customer Happiness Centre
Address: Al Barsha 3 District, Dubai (near Saudi German Hospital)
Operating Hours: (Monday to Thursday) 7:00 am to 5:00 pm; (Friday) 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
3. Al Ghazal Customer Happiness Centre
Located in Al Ghazal Mall along 2nd December Street in Bida, Al Ghazal Customer Happiness Centre provides all services related to the Emirates ID only.
Al Ghazal Customer Happiness Centre
Address: Al Ghazal Mall, 2nd December Street, Bida, Dubai
Operating Hours: (Monday to Thursday) 7:00 am to 5:00 pm; (Friday) 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
4. Al Nahda Customer Happiness Centre
Al Nahda Customer Happiness Centre is attached to Salem Medical Examination Centre in Al Qusais, situated behind Grand Car Wash Station. It offers the fingerprinting procedure for requesting the Emirates ID card application only.
Al Nahda Customer Happiness Centre
Address: Salem Medical Examination Centre, Al Qusais, Dubai (behind Grand Car Wash Station)
Operating Hours: (Monday to Thursday) 7:00 am to 7:30 pm; (Friday) 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
5. Al Rashidiya Customer Happiness Centre
This centre is located in Al Rashidiya District, behind Rashidiya Council and across from Mohammed Noor Boys School. It offers the fingerprinting procedure for requesting the Emirates ID card application only.
Notably, Al Rashidiya Customer Happiness Centre has been awarded a five-star rating for services by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Al Rashidiya Customer Happiness Centre
Address: Al Rashidiya District, Dubai (behind Rashidiya Council, across from Mohammed Noor Boys School)
Operating Hours: (Monday to Thursday) 7:00 am to 5:00 pm; (Friday) 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
6. Al Yalayes Customer Happiness Centre
This centre is attached to Al Yalayes Centre for Governmental Services, which is located at Dubai Investments Park 2. Al Yalayes Customer Happiness Centre offers the fingerprinting procedure for requesting the Emirates ID card application only.
Al Yalayes Customer Happiness Centre
Address: Al Yalayes Centre for Governmental Services, First Floor, Dubai Investments Park 2, Dubai
Operating Hours: (Monday to Thursday) 7:00 am to 7:30 pm; (Friday) 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
7. Hatta Customer Happiness Office
This centre is situated in the Department of Naturalization and Residence Building in Hatta. It offers the fingerprinting procedure for requesting the Emirates ID card application only.
Hatta Customer Happiness Office
Address: Department of Naturalization and Residence Building, Hatta, Dubai
Operating Hours: (Monday to Thursday) 7:30 am to 3:30 pm; (Friday) 7:30 am to 12:00 pm
Generally, all of these centres provide adequate facilities, including car parking for customers, restrooms, prayer rooms, and even a children’s play corner if you are travelling with kids. So the process should be smooth and straightforward. Nonetheless, it must be emphasized again that some of these centres offer a range of services, while others are focused on providing the fingerprinting procedure only.
In any case, you can contact the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) before going to any centre, just to make sure that you are going to a centre with a biometrics facility. Just dial 600522222 to reach their call center, or send an email to contactus@icp.gov.ae.
DISCLAIMER: We hope that the above guide has been helpful, especially if you are planning to apply for a new Emirates ID or renew your old one. Please note that this article is presented for general, information-sharing services only. To learn more about the biometrics procedure for getting an Emirates ID, please visit the official website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP).
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