UAE is ending physical Emirates ID cards: Here’s why!

DUBAI: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has announced the successful development and testing of advanced biometric identification systems that eliminate the need for an Emirates ID card.

These next-generation systems, developed in collaboration with strategic partners, leverage facial recognition and artificial intelligence technology and are accessible through ICP’s smart application. They aim to enhance the capabilities of existing ID systems by offering improved security, accuracy, and user convenience.

The new biometric systems are designed for use in key sectors such as government, banking, telecom, healthcare, hospitality, and insurance — industries where secure and accurate identity verification is essential.

These solutions meet stringent technical and procedural validation standards while remaining compliant with national data protection laws and risk management protocols.

The Authority shared this update in a written response to the Federal National Council (FNC), responding to a question raised by Council Member Dr. Adnan Hamad Al Hammadi regarding the adoption of electronic identification technologies to enhance service efficiency.

The ICP said the rollout of these digital identification solutions is being implemented in well-defined phases. Initially, basic services were digitized to deliver immediate benefits. Now, more complex services are being integrated, ensuring a seamless transition to a fully digital ecosystem.