Overview
All expats living in the UAE need to register for a Resident Identity Card (previously known as Emirates ID) before applying for their residence visa. You will not be able to complete the medical tests required for a visa unless you have begun this process and have an application form certified by the Registration Centre at the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA). Additionally, those who fail to sign up will face daily fines. Each card contains the holder’s address, photo, date of birth and fingerprints, and is now an official source of identification in the UAE.