Emirates ID – your key to life in the UAE

Emirates ID – your key to life in the UAE
Are you moving to the UAE or recent arrived? For new expats, securing your Emirates ID is probably the most important thing you need to do to begin your adventure in this fantastic country.

However, the process of getting your EID can feel a little complicated. Before you can get it, you will need to get your residency visa, and to do that you will need to pass the mandatory medical fitness test. This test is a requirement before your residency visa can be issued and, subsequently, before you can apply for your Emirates ID.

If the process daunts you, don’t worry, you're not alone! Fortunately, at Smart Salem we have all the information you need and a solution to expedite the process.

Importance of the Medical Fitness Test

The medical fitness test is a standard procedure for all expatriates applying for residency in the UAE. It involves basic health screenings including blood tests and chest X-rays to check for contagious diseases such as tuberculosis or HIV. Your results play a critical part in determining the outcome of your residency visa - with a clean bill of health, your visa can be granted.

The process can be lengthy, and at this point, many people find themselves wasting valuable time waiting for appointments, lab results and final approvals. Medical fitness test results typically take 1-2 days.

Why your Emirates ID is essential

Your Emirates ID is one of the most critical documents you will apply for in the UAE. Its primary function is to prove your legal residency, but its importance goes far beyond that, and it is required to validate several daily processes.

Getting set up as a new expat requires consideration of a few key aspects: applying for a driver's licence, setting up a bank account, finding an apartment to rent, as well as setting up your cell phone and internet services, to name but a few. It also grants you access to government services, allows voting in the Federal National Council elections, facilitates travel within the GCC for citizens, and enables hassle-free immigration through eGates and smart gates at UAE airports.

Essentially, your Emirates ID is a legal necessity that facilitates nearly every official transaction you'll ever encounter in the UAE. It’s your key to life here!

Steps to get your EID

Once you’ve got your medical fitness test results and your visa is issued, you can apply for your EID with these simple steps:

1. Submit an application for a new Emirates ID online or through an accredited typing center or Amer center.
2. Pay the applicable fees based on your visa duration.
3. Visit an ICP center for your biometric scan (required for first-time applicants).
4. Collect your Emirates ID from the designated post office after it has been issued.

Expedited services

Moving to a new country can be daunting even without the added stress of administrative delays slowing things down. But the good news is there is a way to take the hassle out of the process and speed things up!

At Smart Salem we provide Dubai’s most premium medical fitness testing experience, with valet parking, paperless registration and best of all, your medical fitness results in under 30 minutes, guaranteed!

And, if you complete your medical fitness test with us, you become eligible for expedited Emirates ID services as a bonus. This way, you can focus on settling into your new life without the stress of administrative delays.

Fast-track your way to becoming an official UAE resident with Smart Salem