In the UAE, your Emirates ID isn’t just a piece of plastic. It’s your official proof that you exist – lose it, forget to renew it, or ignore it, and your bank account will soon feel lighter. According to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), there are 14 violations linked to Emirates ID and visa services. Depending on your mistake, fines start at AED 20 a day and can rocket up to a painful AED 20,000.
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Six Ways Companies Can Mess Up (Fine Of AED 500 Each For These Mistakes)
Company representatives, take note. ICP has listed six situations where you’ll be slapped with a AED 500 fine:
- Submitting transactions that don’t belong to your company
- Entering random data through the e-Dirham system
- Letting your representative card expire
- Forgetting to carry your card while submitting transactions
- Breaking work system rules in service centres
- Ignoring the pledges made to ICP
Basically, if you’re sloppy with paperwork, you’ll be paying for it, literally.
Three Serious Violations (AED 5,000 Fine Each For These Mistakes)
Now we’re in heavier territory. These three will set you back AED 5,000:
- Misusing the ICP system
- Obstructing or refusing to cooperate with ICP employees
- Failing to pay the fees needed to access ICP services
In other words, don’t mess with the system, don’t mess with the staff, and don’t mess with the payments.
Missed Your Emirates ID Renewal? That’ll Be A Fine Of AED 20 A Day
If you delay renewing your Emirates ID for more than 30 days after expiry, prepare to cough up AED 20 per day. The fine can pile up to AED 1,000 maximum. And if you thought small errors won’t cost much, think again. A typo or inaccuracy in your application = AED 100 fine. Submit false data = AED 3,000 fine.
The worst? Issuing visas or entry permits for a non-existent company. That’s not just dodgy, it’s a whopping AED 20,000 penalty.
Also read: UAE Golden Visa – 9 Things You Must Know About It
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Emirates ID? Pay Up
If your Emirates ID disappears, whether lost, stolen, or damaged, you’ll need to apply for a replacement fast. Here’s the breakdown:
- AED 300 replacement fee
- AED 70 if applying through typing centres and AED 40 if applying online (ICA website)
- Want it in a hurry? AED 150 extra for express service at the Customer Happiness Centre
Yes, happiness comes at a price.
The Silver Lining – Fine Exemptions Exist
Not all fines are set in stone. The ICP allows exemptions if you fall into certain categories. These include:
- Anyone who’s been out of the UAE for over three months when the card expired
- Those deported or stuck in legal cases (with proof from authorities)
- People who hadn’t yet obtained nationality or a family book
- Bedridden individuals, those with disabilities, or suffering from contagious diseases (medical certificate required)
- Diplomats, consular staff, and their families
- Senior citizens over 70 who can’t physically visit service centres
- Emiratis under the social security system (with official proof)
- Anyone who couldn’t renew due to an official computer error
So, in short, if life, health, or the government system itself is against you, you may just catch a break.
From small typos to big frauds, the UAE takes Emirates ID and visa compliance very seriously. With penalties ranging from AED 20 a day to AED 20,000, consider your Emirates ID as sacred as your passport and renew it before it starts draining your bank account.
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