A wrong letter in your name, an incorrect date of birth, or a mismatched nationality on your Emirates ID can block bank account opening, property registration, and even residence visa renewal. The good news: ICP allows corrections — but the process depends on whether the error came from you or from them, and the documentation you need is very different in each case.
Two types of corrections — and why it matters
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) splits Emirates ID data corrections into two categories:
- Authority error: the typing centre or ICP staff entered the data incorrectly. Free correction, fast turnaround.
- Applicant error: you (or your sponsor) provided wrong information at the time of registration. Standard correction fees apply, and additional supporting evidence is required.
The first thing to determine is which category your case falls under — because it changes the fee, the documents, and the route.
Common corrections we see in 2026
- Spelling of English name not matching the passport (most common — small letter swaps, missing middle names).
- Arabic transliteration that does not match the bank or property registry.
- Date of birth typed in DD-MM-YYYY when the passport reads MM-DD-YYYY.
- Nationality mismatch after dual-citizen passport renewal or naturalisation.
- Gender field correction (rare, but allowed with medical documentation).
- Father's name or mother's name correction for newborns.
Documents required
| Correction type | Documents |
|---|---|
| Name spelling | Original passport + colour copy, current Emirates ID, residence visa |
| Date of birth | Passport, attested birth certificate (MOFA-attested if foreign-issued), current EID |
| Nationality change | Old passport, new passport, naturalisation certificate, current EID |
| Arabic name | Approved Arabic transliteration from a certified translator |
| Authority-error claim | Above + original typing-centre receipt showing correct data |
Fees in 2026
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Data correction (applicant error) | 150 |
| Reprint of corrected card | 300 – 1,000 (depends on card validity) |
| Typing centre service fee | 30 – 75 |
| Express card delivery | + 150 |
| Authority-error correction | 0 (waived) |
| MOFA attestation of birth certificate (if needed) | 150 |
Step-by-step (ICP smart services)
- Open the UAEICP app or icp.gov.ae and sign in via UAE Pass.
- Select "Modify Personal Information" from the Emirates ID menu.
- Pick the field to correct — name, DOB, or nationality.
- Upload the supporting document (passport bio page is usually auto-pulled if you registered with UAE Pass).
- Pay the AED 150 correction fee plus the card reprint fee.
- Wait for ICP review — typically 2–5 working days. You may be asked to visit a service centre for biometrics if the photo on file is older than 5 years.
- Once approved, the new card is printed and shipped by Emirates Post within 3–7 working days.
Realistic timeline
Plan for 7–14 working days end-to-end for a straightforward name-spelling correction. Date-of-birth and nationality changes that require attested foreign documents typically take 3–4 weeks because of the attestation chain.
What can stop the correction
- Active fines on Emirates ID, residence visa, or any traffic file linked to the same name.
- Open immigration cases (absconding reports, deportation orders).
- Mismatch between the requested correction and the passport bio page — ICP will not align Emirates ID to a name that does not appear in your passport.
- Pending visa cancellation — you cannot correct an Emirates ID for a visa that is in the process of being cancelled.
When to use a typing centre vs the app
For simple name-spelling fixes, the ICP app is faster and cheaper. For nationality changes or DOB corrections that require document review, an accredited typing centre is usually better — staff catch missing attestations before submission, which avoids the dreaded "rejected — re-submit" loop.
Frequently asked
Will my visa be cancelled if I correct my Emirates ID? No. The residence visa is linked to the EID file number, not the printed card details. The visa stays active during correction.
Can I keep my old card? No — the old card is invalidated the moment the new one prints. Hand it back to Emirates Post or ICP centre when you collect the new card.
How long is the correction valid? The corrected EID inherits the validity of the underlying residence visa — it does not reset.
I'm a Golden Visa holder, is the process the same? Yes, but the reprint fee is AED 1,000 (10-year card) instead of the 1–5 year tiers.
What if my employer caused the error? Ask the PRO who registered your visa to obtain the original typing receipt. If it shows the correct data, the correction is filed as authority error — and the fee is waived.
How we help
Visa Simplified runs a same-day eligibility check, identifies whether your case qualifies for the authority-error waiver, and handles the entire ICP submission, MOFA attestation chain, and card collection. See our Emirates ID services for full pricing, or read the related Emirates ID renewal guide if your card is also due for renewal.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.