Facial Recognition to Replace Physical Emirates ID Cards in UAE
The new facial recognition-based digital ID system will be integrated into the UAEPASS app.
The UAE is set to phase out physical Emirates ID cards in favour of a new national digital ID system based on facial recognition and biometric verification.
Expected to roll out within a year, the system will enable residents and citizens to access essential services—banking, healthcare, hospitality, telecommunications—without presenting a physical card.
The initiative, led by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), was announced during a Federal National Council session, where Minister Abdul Rahman Al Owais confirmed that the electronic Emirates ID is already in use for many services, and the ICP will now prioritise wider adoption in key areas.
The new system will be integrated into the UAEPASS app, the UAE’s national digital identity, which already allows users to access official documents securely through facial recognition.
The ICP will work closely with sector partners to expand biometric capabilities while ensuring compliance with data protection laws.
