The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has launched the second generation of the Emirates ID card as part of the new generation of Emirati passports and national ID card project.
Commenting on the launch, Major-General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, acting director-general of the ICA, said that the issuance of the new generation Emirates ID is part of achieving the UAE government's vision to develop the population data using the advanced technology based on best practices and international standards.
The new ID will have enhanced protection of invisible data (can be read through E-link System with ICA), advanced technical and technological characteristics (higher chip capacity and non-touch data reading feature), a high-quality card with a longer life (using polycarbonate for a life service exceeding 10 years), consolidated 3D photo (laser printing feature authenticated with the date of birth), and additional fields with codes definition (professional data, issuing authority and population group).
The authority will start printing the new card for customers after the first stage use of its electronic version, according to Al Khaili.
At the present stage, the beneficiaries of the new cards are those whose cards have expired, as well as the requests for lost or damaged ones. Al Khaili pointed out that it is preferable to use the valid card until its expiry date and to benefit from the updated ID upon renewal.
The list of approved fees for the application process and issuance of ID cards remains unchanged.
New designs for Emirati passports and Emirates IDs were first announced in November last year after a Cabinet meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.