UAE: The United Arab Emirates is preparing to introduce a new digital identity system that will no longer require residents to carry physical Emirates ID cards.
This update was discussed during a Federal National Council (FNC) session held recently. The system is expected to launch within a year and will rely on facial recognition and biometric technology for verifying identity.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) is behind this move and aims to expand the use of e-Emirates IDs across key sectors such as banking, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications.
FNC member Adnan Al Hammadi raised the issue that despite the UAE’s progress in digital transformation, many services still demand physical IDs, which creates unnecessary delays for residents.
For example, patients must present ID cards at hospitals, banks request them for transactions, and hotels need them during check-ins. In response, Minister of State Abdul Rahman Al Owais confirmed that e-Emirates IDs are already being used and will soon be accepted more widely.
The new identity system will function through the UAEPASS app, which already allows users to access a digital version of their Emirates ID and other official documents. The ICP launched facial recognition features as early as 2021, and this upgrade will build on that technology. Officials say they are working with partners to test and improve biometric systems while ensuring full compliance with data protection laws.
This digital shift is part of the UAE’s broader plan to modernize and simplify public services while protecting user privacy and building trust in smart government solutions.
