The UAE is preparing to introduce a new digital identification system that will remove the need for individuals to carry physical Emirates ID cards to access essential services. Scheduled for launch within a year, the system will rely on facial recognition and biometric data to facilitate access to services across multiple industries.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) is currently working to broaden the application of e-Emirates IDs within sectors including banking, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications.
This development was disclosed during a Federal National Council (FNC) session, where council member Adnan Al Hammadi voiced concerns about the continued dependence on physical Emirates ID cards, despite the country’s progress in digital transformation.
Al Hammadi remarked that this ongoing requirement remains problematic for residents. Physical ID cards are still needed to obtain medical care, carry out banking transactions, and check in at hotels, where original cards are often mandatory.
“There is a pressing need for swift and efficient solutions to simplify identity verification across these vital sectors,” he stated.
Responding on behalf of the ICP, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Abdul Rahman Al Owais, confirmed that the e-Emirates ID has already been adopted in many services. He further noted that the authority will focus on extending its usage to the sectors identified by the FNC.
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